Five Things 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.
Two teams eager to bounce back into the victory column will lock horns Saturday when Sporting Kansas City (9-4-5, 32 points) hosts reigning MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield champion Toronto FC (4-10-3, 15 points) at Children's Mercy Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City and FOX Sports Midwest Plus, and a limited number of tickets are still available via SeatGeek.com.
Manager Peter Vermes' men have lost two games on the trot, relinquishing first place in the West in the process, while the Reds have dropped three straight MLS matches for the first time since 2015. Despite their recent struggles, both teams continue to hold title aspirations and will view Saturday as an opportunity to turn the ship.
A sense of urgency abounds in a highly anticipated cross-conference clash that is sure to feature fireworks during and after the 90 minutes. We visit five compelling storylines surrounding the matchup in the space below.
1. Turn the Tide
The Fourth of July was nothing to celebrate for either team. Toronto FC took their third straight loss in a 4-3 setback at Minnesota United FC, suffering the ill effects of Darwin Quintero’s devastating hat-trick. The Reds now sit eight points below the playoff line in the East, and to make matters worse, striker Jozy Altidore, midfielder Victor Vazquez and defender Drew Moor — veterans who played influential roles during their treble-winning 2017 campaign — will miss Saturday through injury.
Sporting KC, meanwhile, has lost back-to-back games for the first time since May 2017. A 4-2 defeat to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday was further soured by red cards issued to Daniel Salloi and Roger Espinoza. The club had held first place in the West since mid-March but enters the weekend three points behind FC Dallas and five points behind Supporters’ Shield leaders Atlanta United FC.
2. Reds Regress
What a difference a year can make. In 2017, Toronto FC became the first MLS club to win a treble by lifting the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and Canadian Championship. They finished with an MLS regular-season record 69 points to go with 20 wins (most all-time in the non-shootout era) and 74 goals (second-most all-time).
Fast-forward to the present, and Greg Vanney’s side has taken a tumble. The Reds already have twice as many MLS defeats (10) as they did last season, and the hangover of a heartbreaking loss to Chivas de Guadalajara in the 2018 Concacaf Champions League finals in April continues to loom large. Toronto remains a dangerous outfit, however, as evidenced by their respective league ranks in shots (second), possession (second) and big chances missed (first).
3. Series Supremacy
The head-to-head series has belonged to Sporting KC, plain and simple. Kansas City owns a 14-4-6 record against the Reds, including a 9-1-2 mark at home. Vermes’ men are 11-1-3 in the last 15 meetings and 6-0-2 in the last eight. Additionally, Toronto has never won at Children’s Mercy Park (0-6-1) and their 14 regular-season losses to Sporting KC are their most against any MLS foe.
4. Lineup Shuffle
Make no mistake, Sporting KC will have some big shoes to fill on Saturday with their leading goal scorer and top assist man on the sideline. Salloi has bagged a team-best seven goals while Espinoza has an MLS career-high eight assists. Fortunately, Vermes has depth at his disposal, with any one of Gerso Fernandes, Diego Rubio or Kharlton Belmar capable of joining Khiry Shelton and Johnny Russell in attack. Espinoza’s run of 24 straight starts dating back to last season will come to an end, opening the door for a midfield player to join to regular starters Ilie and Yohan Croizet.
5. Fireworks
If the match itself doesn’t produce fireworks, postgame proceedings most certainly will. All supporters in attendance will be treated to a fireworks show after the match, making for the perfect cap to a summer night at Children’s Mercy Park.
