Ahead of Sporting KC's opening match in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, SportingKC.com caught up with Goal.com's Jon Arnold to preview #CFCvSKC. Live coverage of tonight's match starts at 7 p.m. CT on Univision Deportes (Spanish) and CONCACAF's Facebook Page (English).
Forward Kenwyne Jones, on loan to Central FC from Atlanta United FC, is expected to feature in Tuesday’s match. What impact could he have and what are the dangers he can pose for Sporting KC’s defense?
Jones has been a fixture of the Trinidad and Tobago national team for years now, and there's a reason that Carlos Bocanegra is bringing him to Atlanta United. He has good movement and uses his size and speed well. This contest gets much harder with Jones lining up on the other side.
Who are some other players to watch on Central FC’s squad?
Leston Paul is a very good No. 6. He played at USF and I was surprised he didn't get picked up by an MLS team looking for some grit in the middle. He can wander at times, but he's very good getting forward and it'll be fun to see him square off with Roger Espinoza. I've liked what I've seen out of Keron Cummings, the team's No. 10, but he hasn't gone a full 90 since being shot in the leg in winter of 2015.
Manager Peter Vermes is expected to be rotating the squad during CCL play. Who are some players you’re interested in seeing?
It'll be good to see Jon Kempin again if he gets the nod, and I'd like to see what Diego Rubio does with another start. He scored when he got the nod in Vancouver and might have more in him.
What are some of the challenges MLS sides face while traveling to Central America and the Caribbean in CCL?
For one, the surface. Central plays its matches at a stadium named for Ato Boldon, the track legend currently commentating on the Olympics for NBC. That tells you where the priority is, and it's around the field rather than on it. The crowd probably won't be much of a factor, and while the heat can certainly melt some teams and often gets mentioned as a factor, it's probably going to be more pleasant in Couva than Kansas City's summer heat and humidity or Saturday's Texas weather.
What are some things you’ll be watching for Tuesday’s match?
The fitness battle. Central isn't in season, and their conditioning will be an issue, but as we discussed a Caribbean road trip isn't exactly a nice trip to the beach for MLS teams in CCL I also think how Sporting's physicality matches up with Central's speed in the attack clash.
Finally, do you see this season’s tournament as a good chance for an MLS side to break through and win the competition?
Maybe. I mean, every year sort of just depends on which Mexican teams are in it and how seriously they'll take it. It sort of remains to be seen how strong this year's crop will be when the quarterfinals roll around. Monterrey, Tigres and America all have the cash to stay good, and Pachuca is off to a great start. Their chances depend on how many of their young stars they keep.
All that to say, MLS teams could break through but I'm not sure that this year is a better chance than last year or the year before.
