Sporting Kansas City will be looking to keep their playoff charge on track when they welcome an in-form Houston Dynamo side to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday night in MLS.
The hosts suffered a huge blow to their top-nine ambitions on Wednesday night after falling to defeat against Nashville SC, while Houston easily saw off Vancouver Whitecaps on home soil.
Match preview
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Sporting Kansas City were unable to make it back-to-back wins in MLS on Wednesday night, losing 3-0 to Nashville at Children's Mercy Park in a game which was seen by some as a must win.
Peter Vermes's men did not deal with the visitors' set-piece threat well enough despite having the majority of possession on the night, with Fabrice Picault, Jack Maher and the division's leading scorer Hany Mukhtar getting on the scoresheet in Kansas.
Currently sitting 11th in the Western Conference standings, Sporting KC know earning maximum points in their two remaining home fixtures will be crucial if they wish to reach the playoffs, especially considering that a visit to St Louis City awaits next weekend.
Alan Pulido has been the hosts' main threat in attack this term, scoring 13 goals in 25 league appearances, and the Mexican recently put pen to paper on a new deal at Children's Mercy Park which further commits his immediate future to the club.
Sporting KC have fared excellently at home against Saturday's visitors in recent times, winning each of their last four encounters on home soil, however Vermes's charges will be facing a different proposition to those Dynamo sides of the past this weekend.
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Houston extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches on Wednesday night with a resounding 4-1 success over Vancouver Whitecaps at a rocking Shell Energy Stadium.
The Dynamo supporters were treated to a stellar performance from Mexico international Hector Herrera, who bagged the opener and an assist on the night, with Griffin Dorsey, Ivan Franco and Ibrahim Aliyu also getting involved in the goalscoring antics.
Ben Olsen's side have an Open Cup final against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami to look forward to in the latter stages of this month, but the immediate focus must be on securing a playoff berth with five matches of the regular MLS campaign left to play.
There have been many notable performers so far this term for Houston, but a special mention is in order for American Corey Baird who has netted seven times, as many as the 27-year-old managed in his previous three seasons combined.
Although the Dynamo suffered defeat to fellow MLS outfit Charlotte in the round-of-16 stage of the Leagues Cup in August, you have to go back to July 13 for Houston's latest league loss, with Olsen's charges being dismantled 3-0 at home by Minnesota United.
Team News
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Sporting KC remain light of options in defence due to the hamstring injury of Graham Zusi, with the right-back not expected back in action until the start of October at the earliest.
Kayden Pierre was planning to cement himself as a regular for Kansas in the 2023 term, but a hamstring issue has seen the young defender feature just once in MLS so far this year.
Long-term absentee Kortne Ford is still in the medical room recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, meaning Vermes is particularly lacking depth in defensive areas ahead of a crucial clash on Saturday.
As for Houston, Tate Schmitt is sidelined for the remainder of the campaign due to a cruciate ligament injury sustained in April, meaning Colombian Nelson Quinones will continue at left-wing-back.
Ifunanyachi Achara is yet to feature for the Dynamo since making the switch from Toronto in November 2022, and the Nigerian attacker is still struggling with a long-term knee injury.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Davis, Rosero, Fontas, Ndenbe; Walter, Radoja, Thommy; Russell, Pulido, Salloi
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Sviatchenko, Hadebe, Micael; Dorsey, Artur, Caicedo, Quinones, Herrera; Kowalczyk, Baird
We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-3 Houston Dynamo
Sporting KC may feel that their playoff dreams faded slightly as they fell to defeat against Nashville on Wednesday, making Saturday's clash against Houston one they must earn a result from.
The Dynamo are in scintillating form and will be confident of extending their unbeaten run to eight matches with a convincing win at Children's Mercy Park on the weekend.
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Top tip
Carter White
