In what will be an all-or-nothing clash in their quest for a place in the playoffs, Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United go head to head in the final game of the regular MLS season on Saturday.
Both sides, who are level on points, sit just two points behind ninth-placed San Jose Earthquake in the final wildcard qualification spot and will need all three points this weekend if they are to stand a chance of securing post-season football.
Match preview
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Sporting Kansas City picked up three huge points in their quest for a place in the playoffs as they scraped a 3-2 victory over Real Salt Lake just before the international break.
The Wizards had to overcome a late comeback scare after Erik Thommy, Johnny Russell and Alan Pulido hit the target to put them three goals up heading into the final 13 minutes as Brayan Vera and Jefferson Savarino scored in a nine-minute spell to force the hosts back into the game.
With that result, Sporting Kansas City have now won two of their last three away games in the league, having picked up just one victory in their previous 14 games on the road since the start of the season.
Peter Joseph Vermes's men now return home, where they are unbeaten in six of their last seven matches across all competitions — claiming five wins and one draw — a win which has kept their playoff dreams just alive.
With 41 points from 33 matches, Sporting Kansas City are currently 10th in the MLS Western Conference standings, level on points with Saturday's visitors and two points behind the playoff wildcard places.
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Knowing that their playoff qualification hopes hinged on the full-time result, Minnesota United turned in a performance of the highest quality against LA Galaxy last time out as they picked up an emphatic 5-2 victory on home turf.
In a seven-goal thriller at Allianz Field, after Tyler Boyd struck in the 41st minute to cancel out Hassani Dotson's opener, former Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki took matters into his own hands as he hit four consecutive goals to cap off a super individual performance.
Prior to that, Sean McAuley's men were on a run of seven consecutive games without a win, picking up three draws and losing four since a 3-0 victory over rock-bottom Colorado Rapids on August 31.
Given that Minnesota United need all three points on Saturday as well as favourable results elsewhere, it is worth noting that they have struggled for results away from home of late, claiming one win and losing three of their last five away matches across all competitions.
The Loons will also have to show their mettle on Saturday as they take on an opposing side who have won each of their most recent three meetings and are unbeaten in 15 of their last 20 encounters, claiming 11 wins and four draws since June 2014.
Team News
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Sporting Kansas City will be without the defensive duo of Tim Leibold and Kayden Pierre, who have been ruled out through groin and hamstring injuries respectively.
American defender Kortne Ford picked up an Achilles tendon injury last October and the 27-year-old is also out of contention for the Wizards as he continues his long road to full fitness.
Minnesota United, on the other hand, will take to the pitch without the services of 33-year-old defender Brent Kallman, who has been sidelined since July through a knee injury.
Veteran midfielder Robin Lod sustained a meniscus problem in May's 1-0 victory against Houston Dynamo and the 30-year-old will also sit out this weekend's tie.
Ryen Jiba, who is yet to feature for Minnesota this year, also continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines while Joseph Rosales is currently recuperating from a thigh injury.
With his four-goal haul against La Galaxy on October 8, Pukki now has 10 goals in 13 league appearances this season and we expect the 33-year-old to spearhead the visitors' attack once again.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Davis, Rosero, Voloder, Ndenbe; Thommy, Radoja, Gutierrez; Russell, Pulido, Sallo
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Valentin, Boxall, Tapias, Dibassy; Gregus, Trapp; Hlongwane, Reynoso, Dotson; Pukki
We say: Sporting Kansas City 2-2 Minnesota United
Both looking to reach the playoffs through the wildcard, we anticipate a heated contest at the Children's Mercy Park as Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United go all out for the win. However, we predict that they will cancel out each other's efforts in what should be an entertaining stalemate.
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Top tip
Joshua Ojele
