The bitter rivalry between Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake heats up once again on Wednesday night, this time in US Open Cup play.
This rendition pits the teams against each other for the fourth time in 2015 competitive play, and for the second time in Kansas City. Through the first three games, these team have posted a combined total of 17 yellow cards. This semifinal is likely to be full of physical play, hard challenges, and bitter feelings. The teams started the series in Kansas City and played to a nil-nil draw before two matches in Sandy Utah, both won by RSL 2-1.
The last time these two teams met in an elimination game in Kansas City, records were set. On December 7, 2013, the coldest game in playoff history was the first playoff game to reach ten rounds of penalty kicks. Sporting Kansas City emerged victorious and lifted their second MLS Cup and first under their new ownership.
Notable Absences
Sporting is without midfielder Roger Espinoza for this one. US Soccer issued him a two game ban for striking Brad Davis in the last Open Cup match, but even without the ban, the midfielder would still be inactive with a broken foot. Graham Zusi was a late scratch for Saturday's match in Toronto with some tightness in his leg. All indications point to precautionary measures to ensure his availability for this game.
Jamison Olave will not see action with a quad strain. The starting CB is a valuable asset on the defensive side, and RSL has struggled without him. Jordan Allen, Chris Schuler, and Nick Rimando are all battling nagging injuries that kept them out last weekend. Any of the three could suit up for Wednesday night's game, but their status is unknown at this time.
Sporting Kansas City Potential Lineup
Melia
Myers - Ellis - Besler - Dia
Feilhaber - Nagamura - Mustivar
Zusi - Dwyer - Nemeth
Real Salt Lake Potential Lineup
Antinella
Maund - Phillips - Vasquez - Mansally
Stertzer - Beckerman - Gi
Jamie - Sandoval - Saucedo
Keys to Victory
Kansas City: Contain the Counter Attack. Real Salt Lake burned Sporting twice in Utah and the counter attack led the way.
Salt Lake: Constant Disruption. Sporting hasn't looked up to par against the visitors this season, largely due to the overly physical style of play. Disrupting the flow and coaxing the ref into allowing more physicality is crucial.
Kansas City: Control the Box. Salt Lake has a devastating aerial attack that the Kansas City backline is suspect to. This game could easily be lost on a single play in the box.
Salt Lake: Contain Benny Feilhaber. Feilhaber, having a career year and on the short list for MVP, is a one man wrecking crew and will carve up Salt Lake if not shut down. If Kyle Beckerman and company can keep him under wraps, things should go in their favor.
Match Outlook
This game is a total coin flip. Either team could walk away victorious and neither team has a clear advantage. Sporting Kansas City could light up the scoreboard or put in another shutout, but Real Salt Lake could easily torch the KC defense while Anitinella puts in another stellar performance.
Like the last elimination game between these two teams, this one will likely see scores from both sides. Just like the 2013 MLS Cup Final, this one could easily be deadlocked after 90 minutes and require extra time.