The New York Red Bulls will have their eye on the top spot in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer when they travel to Children's Mercy Park to battle Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.
KC are second from the bottom in the Western Conference with 16 points, while New York are in a three-way tie for first in the East after a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 win against Atlanta United on Thursday.
Match preview
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With more than half of the 2022 campaign already in the books, Peter Vermes and his side are still trying to find their form and some solid continuity amid the list of key contributors currently missing through injury.
Last weekend was a step in the wrong direction for them, as they were stunned in the early going by a goal from Will Bruin, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Seattle Sounders, having lost every domestic encounter this year in which they have conceded first.
Things may look bleak when you look at where they sit in the table, seven points back of a playoff spot, but there is potential for them to make up some ground, as nine of their following 15 MLS affairs will be at home, where KC have claimed 11 of their 16 points this year.
Conceding the second-most goals (32) in the league will not help you climb up the standings, but Vermes' team have put together their best defensive displays in front of their home fans, posting their only two clean sheets in this MLS campaign at Children's Mercy Park.
They should be able to take some confidence from how well they have played at the U.S. Open Cup, advancing to the semi-finals of that competition thanks to an emphatic 6-0 triumph at home to Union Omaha.
At that tournament, Kansas City have shown more creativity and quality in the attacking third, scoring 12 goals in three games, and the hope is that that kind of precision can translate into more tallies domestically, where they have scored the second-fewest goals (16) so far.
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After an impressive beginning away from home where New York won a record five consecutive matches at the start of the season, Gerhard Struber and his team are looking to rediscover that form, going without a goal on the road in 204 straight minutes.
When the Red Bulls are on their game, they look like a top-tier side who can contend for the title, filled with strength and quality at every position.
Second-half deficits do not seem to faze this team, picking up nine points when trailing in the final 45 minutes this year, including on Thursday when they scored two goals in six minutes after Josef Martinez had given Atlanta United the lead with 15 minutes remaining.
New York are a team with strength in numbers as several individuals have wowed us with their skill and creativity, and their scoring depth is evident, as nine different players have tallied at least once domestically this year, while nine individuals have also set up at least one goal.
Their trophy case may feel empty for a side that have won the Supporters' Shield three times and have made the playoffs on 12 successive occasions, though you would not bet against them coming away with some silverware in 2022, as they are in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open Cup and are currently in a dogfight for first in their Conference.
Hanging back and waiting for the right moment to strike is what this group thrive on, and even with all the energy they expend in the high press, the Red Bulls still defend aggressively and effectively, currently in the top five when it comes to goals against this year (20).
Their press has been complemented nicely by their youthful vitality, with a big emphasis on youth, as they became the first club in MLS history on Thursday to have three different players find the back of the net before their 17th birthday.
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Team News
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Daniel Salloi notched a pair of goals in a 6-0 triumph in the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open Cup, becoming the all-time top scorer for Kansas City at that tournament, tallying seven times, while Johnny Russell has been by far their best all-around player in 2022, leading the team with five strikes domestically, while ranking fourth in the league in terms of touches inside the opponents' box (83) and ninth in duels won (112).
Remi Walter continues to be a workhorse for them in the midfield, leading the league when it comes to distance covered (121.3 miles), Uri Rosell needs one more start to reach 50 for his MLS career, and Salloi has a chance to join an elite group of KC players with his next winning goal in the regular season, which would tie the club record of 12 currently shared between Preki and Dom Dwyer.
The injury situation for Vermes has not changed, as Alan Pulido (knee surgery) and Gadi Kinda (knee surgery) are done for the year, while Ozzie Cisneros (hamstring), Nikola Vujnovic (calf) and Kortne Ford (head) are also expected to sit this one out.
Goals from Serge Ngoma and Lewis Morgan helped the Red Bulls snatch victory from the jaws of defeat earlier this week.
Ngoma became just the third 16-year-old in league history to score for New York, joining Jozy Altidore and Eddie Gaven in that department.
Throughout the season, they have been able to count on the skilful Omir Fernandez, who leads the team with six assists on just 13 chances created, while the physicality of Cristian Casseres has made them an intimidating side to attack against, with the Venezuelan midfielder leading the league in fouls committed (39).
New York will be without Andres Reyes (foot), Lucas Monzon (hamstring) and Wikelman Carmona (foot) because of injuries, although Aaron Long and Luquinhas returned to the field this week after missing time previously because of health and safety protocols.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Sweat, Fontas, Isimat-Mirin, Zusi; Walter; Duke, Hernandez; Salloi, Shelton, Russell
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Edwards, S. Nealis, Long, Tolkin; Amaya, Casseres; Yearwood, Fernandez, Morgan; Klimala
We say: Sporting Kansas City 0-1 New York Red Bulls
Even though the gap between these sides is currently 13 points, we believe this will be a close encounter between a New York squad who are struggling to find that quality away from home and a KC team that cannot seem to catch a break domestically.
Psychologically New York have a decided edge, and we expect their depth will eventually be able to end their road drought against a side that provide you with plenty of scoring opportunities.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
