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.
After a 10-day break, the Western Conference leaders spring back to action Sunday as Sporting Kansas City (7-2-2, 23 points) visits regional rival Minnesota United FC (4-7-0, 12 points) at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
We visit five prevailing narratives around the matchup in the space below, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. CT Sunday on FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, Sports Radio 810 WHB (English) and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM (Spanish).
1. Salloi Streaking
Sporting KC's 21-year-old homegrown forward has hit full stride in recent weeks. Daniel Salloi scored the winner in a 1-0 decision against the Colorado Rapids on May 5 before bagging a Goal of the Week contender four days later to spark a momentous 2-0 road win over Supporters' Shield leaders Atlanta United FC. Salloi's stat line this season is solid, to be sure: three goals and four assists in 10 appearances is nothing to scoff at. But consider the fact that Salloi's five combined game-winning goals (three) and game-winning assists (two) are the most in Major League Soccer, and you get a clear picture of just how vital the Hungarian has been to Manager Peter Vermes' outfit.
2. Stop the Bleeding
Minnesota United endured a patchy inaugural season in MLS last year, finishing 10 points below the playoff line while conceding a league-high 70 goals. The Loons began 2018 in encouraging manner, winning two of their first three fixtures, but head coach Adrian Heath's side has lost six of eight since then to douse any momentum of a breakout sophomore campaign. The side has conceded 16 goals, a rate of two per match, during that dry spell. To complicate matters, two of Heath's most valuable attacking pieces — attacking midfielder Kevin Molino and winger Ethan Finlay — will both miss the rest of 2018 with knee injuries.
The Loons are limping, figuratively speaking, and Sunday presents them with an opportunity to bounce back and even jump into the playoff places of the still-early Western Conference table.
3. Minnesota Woes
For all of the struggles that Minnesota experienced in 2017, coping with Sporting KC on their home turf wasn't one of them. Vermes' men went 0-1-1 on their travels to TCF Bank Stadium last season, falling 2-0 in May before drawing 1-1 in October. Christian Ramirez and Abu Danladi paced a routine victory with first-half goals in the first meeting, while the latter contest saw defender Brent Kallman score late to prevent Sporting KC from clinching a playoff berth — albeit only temporarily — after Diego Rubio had given the visitors a 1-0 lead.
4. Containing Quintero
Colombian forward Darwin Quintero became Minnesota's first-ever Designated Player at the end of March, having scored more than 100 professional goals across Europe, South America and Mexico in the dozen years previous. The 30-year-old forward has two goals and one assist in six MLS appearances this season as the Loons' attacking focal point. Sporting KC enters Sunday with back-to-back clean sheets, and the quest for a third straight shutout just might start with containing Quintero.
5. Retro Kits at NOP
With Sporting KC playing out of town, No Other Pub welcomes all fans to the official #MINvSKC watch party on Sunday. No Other Pub's matchday specials will begin at 12:30 p.m., featuring $4 Bud Light drafts as well as an all-you-can-eat buffet with endless domestic draft beers. The watch party will also give supporters their first opportunity to purchase the limited-edition Retro jersey, which will be available May 27 at Children's Mercy Park when Sporting KC hosts Columbus Crew SC.
