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.
Unbeaten in four straight games and sitting atop the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City (3-1-1, 10 points) hits the road this weekend to face the LA Galaxy (2-1-1, 7 points). Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. CT Sunday on FS1, Sports Radio 810 WHB and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM, and there are more than a few compelling storylines surrounding the primetime fixture. We dive into five of them below.
1. Zlatan
In case you (somehow) missed it, Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his MLS debut last Saturday. And it went pretty darn well. The 36-year-old soccer icon entered in the 71st minute of "El Trafico" to score an out-of-this-world equalizer, then headed home the match winner in stoppage time to seal a historic comeback. The Galaxy became the second team in MLS history to erase a three-goal deficit to win 4-3, while Ibrahimovic stole sports headlines across the country.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench remains to be seen, but it's safe to say Ibrahimovic will command the spotlight during FS1's broadcast on Sunday night.
2. Owning LA
Let's call it the way it is: Sporting KC has owned LA in recent years. Manager Peter Vermes' men are 3-0-3 against the Galaxy dating back to October 2015, including a pair of 2-1 victories last season. In one of the greatest moments of the 2017 campaign last June, Ike Opara scored on a phenomenal bicycle kick to give Sporting KC their first win over LA at StubHub Center since 2010.
3. Turning the Corner
Speaking of Opara, the Sporting KC defense just might be returning to its stingy ways. Since conceding two goals in the first 10 minutes of a 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids on March 24, Sporting KC has allowed just three shots on goal over the last 170 minutes. Opara's backline will face a stern challenge on Sunday, and another clean sheet against the Galaxy side would deliver a strong statement to the league that Sporting KC is clicking on both sides of the ball.
4. Coaches Collide
Vermes and LA Galaxy manager Sigi Schmid are no strangers to coaching success in Major League Soccer. Schmid is the all-time leader with 232 regular-season wins, while Vermes ranks sixth with 118. Both boast MLS and U.S. Open Cups in their respective trophy cabinets and are widely considered two of the best bosses in American soccer. On Sunday their paths meet again, providing a reunion of sorts that harkens back to 2005. That's when Schmid, then the head coach of the United States U-20 Men's National Team, gave Vermes his coaching start as an assistant for the same team. Since then, both coaches have experienced substantial success in guiding clubs to silverware.
5. Party at the Pub
With Sporting KC traveling west this weekend, another celebration awaits at No Other Pub. All supporters are welcome to attend Sunday's official watch party in the Kansas City Power & Light District, featuring $5 Corona cans as well as an all-you-can-eat buffet with endless domestic draft beers. Fan programming will also include giveaways for Sporting KC tickets and No Other Pub gift cards.
