Five Things, presented by Keith + Associates Dentistry, is a weekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights the top storylines, players to watch and matchday programming ahead of each game throughout the season.
Sporting Kansas City (6-8-7, 25 points) travels to the city that never sleeps to clash with New York City FC (8-3-8, 32 points) at Yankee Stadium Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT. Live match coverage will be available on FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, Sports Radio 810 WHB and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM.
Sporting will be looking to get back on track after losing to FC Dallas at home last Saturday. New York City FC will look to make it two in a row after beating Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Let’s take a look at five storylines fans should keep in mind heading into the match.
1. New York, New York
Start spreading the news. Sporting’s leaving to take on New York City FC. This will be third time the clubs meet at Yankee Stadium. Much like the baseball team that calls Yankee Stadium home, NYCFC has enjoyed success in the Bronx. They have a 26-4-13 record on home turf since the start of 2017, which excluding LAFC, is the fewest home losses in that span in MLS. Sporting has left New York victorious in one of their meetings off Ike Opara’s goal on March 28, 2015.
New York City FC became the 20th MLS team in 2015, and after a shaky first year, the club has flourished ever since. They have not placed lower than third in their conference and have made three straight playoff appearances. Sporting and New York each have two head-to-head victories. Sporting won the first two, while New York has won the last two.
2. The Push Continues
Sporting suffered a bit of a setback in their postseason push after taking a 2-0 defeat at the hands of FC Dallas last Saturday. They now find themselves in 10th place in the Western Conference but still only five points below the playoff line.
Real Salt Lake, which occupies the last playoff spot, faces a tough road challenge at FC Dallas on Saturday. This clash will also be RSL’s second game of the week as they host 2019 CONCACAF Champions League runners-up Tigres UANL tonight in the Leagues Cup. Houston Dynamo find themselves in a similar spot. They are also five points ahead of Sporting, have a Leagues Cup match tonight vs. Club America and have a tough matchup with Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday. Portland Timbers are three points clear of Sporting but having to face the LA Galaxy, which holds second place in the Western Conference. The playoff spots are still very much up for grabs, and Sporting is still in the fight.
3. Midfield Might
After serving his one-game suspension for caution accumulation, Ilie Sanchez returns for Sporting Kansas City. He can now restart his streak after appearing in 80 straight competitive matches for Sporting. The holding midfielder has three goals and four assists in all competitions this year. He has also contributed to seven shutouts in 2019. Sporting is very happy to have its workhorse back. Fans should look for Ilie to do his thing and get involved in all areas of the field.
A bit further up the pitch, fellow midfielder Roger Espinoza returned from injury last Saturday by coming off the bench. He might be in line for a start this time around. The Honduran brings relentless energy to the side and will look to give Sporting an edge in the middle of the narrow Yankee Stadium pitch.
4. Bronx Bombers
Maximiliano Moralez has been churning assists for New York. The Argentinian is playing in his third season for New York and his 15th season on a senior club. After recording 16 assists in 2018, he has already accumulated a league-leading 13 in 2019. NYCFC has scored 24 goals off assists, and Moralez is responsible for over half of these goals. He has also netted six goals of his own, good for second on the team.
The other player having a strong season is goalkeeper Sean Johnson. He recently took some time away from New York to join the U.S. Men’s National Team Gold Cup squad. After recording a clean sheet against Panama in his lone Gold Cup start, he returned home to the Big Apple. The veteran keeper is enjoying a solid campaign and has only lost twice, conceding 18 goals in his 10th MLS season.
5. Success Against the East
Sporting has found success against Eastern Conference foes in 2019. In 10 interconference matches, they have earned eight results, including three straight dating back to June 7. Four of their six wins and 16 of their 25 points have come versus Eastern Conference sides. Their most recent interconference match was a 1-0 home win over the Chicago Fire, and their most recent trip to the East yielded a 1-0 win at Columbus Crew SC. Sporting will look to keep the trend going when they take on New York City FC on the road.
Keith + Associates Dental Fact
Did you know that 78% of Americans have had at least one cavity by age 17?
