Dallas and Sporting Kansas City draw the curtains on their 2024 MLS regular campaign when they go head to head at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday.
Having reached the playoffs last year, it has been a disappointing campaign for the two sides who are guaranteed to finish outside the top-nine places in the West, but they will both look to close out the year on a positive note.
Match preview
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Dallas failed to secure just their second away win in the league as they played out a goalless draw with Portland Timbers when the two sides squared off at Providence Park just before the international break.
A total of 37 shots were fired in the game but both sides were let down by a lack of cutting edge in front of goal as they goals to tuck away any of their chances, with a draw being a fair result upon reflection.
With that result, Dallas have now failed to taste victory in three consecutive games, losing twice and claiming one draw, and have managed just one win in their last seven outings since the start of September.
In fairness, Peter Luccin's side have struggled for consistency for most of the season, but their recent collapse has seen their playoff quest come to an end as they sit 11th in the Western Conference table, eight points adrift of the final play-in spot.
While Dallas will look to close out the campaign on a high, they go up against an opposing side who have won each of their last three encounters, including a 2-1 victory in the US Open Cup quarter-finals on July 11.
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Sporting Kansas City, on the other hand, were left empty handed once again as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against Los Angeles FC in their final outing before the break on October 6.
In a one-sided affair at Children's Mercy Park, David Martinez Morales and Cristian Olivera scored first-half goals to put the visitors in a commanding lead before Aaron Long put the result beyond doubt with a 69th-minute strike.
This was the latest in Sporting Kansas City's mediocre late-season run of results as they have now lost each of their last four matches, including a 3-1 extra-time defeat against Los Angeles FC in the US Open Cup final on September 26.
Joseph Vermes's side have lost 18 of their 33 matches heading into this weekend's season finale while claiming eight wins and seven draws to collect 31 points and sit 13th in the Western Conference table, eight points off the second play-in qualifying spot.
The Loons' underwhelming campaign has been owing to their struggles on the road, where they have picked up just nine points — the joint second-fewest tally in the West — and their defensive vulnerability, as they have conceded the second-most number of goals so far (64).
Team News
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Dallas will be without veteran midfielder Asier Illarramendi for the season finale as the 34-year-old misses out due to suspension after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Portland Timbers last time out.
Luccin's men also have a lengthy injury list heading into this weekend as the likes of Liam Fraser and Geovane Jesus will sit out this weekend's clash through hip and ACL injuries respectively.
Paxton Pomykal continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a knee problem back in March while Argentine forward Alan Velasco is a doubt after coming off injured at half time against Portland last time out.
As for Sporting Kansas City, Vermes will be unable to call upon the services of Daniel Rosero and German midfielder Erik Thommy, who have been ruled out through ankle and foot injuries respectively.
Serbian midfielder Nemanja Radoja has been out of action since picking up a groin injury in August's Leagues Cup clash against Toluca and the 31-year-old will play no part in this weekend's clash.
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Maurer; Junqua, Ibeagha, Farfan; Arriola, Lletget, Delgado, Show; Kamungo, Ntsabeleng, Farrington
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Shelton, Fernandez, Voloder, Ndenbe; Davis, Rodriguez, Bassong; Russell, Pulido, Afrifa
We say: Dallas 2-0 Sporting Kansas City
With nothing at stake here, we expect to see several fringe players in action for Dallas and Sporting Kansas City as they look to end the season on a high. Dallas' home advantage gives them a slight upper hand and we fancy them to come away with all three points this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
