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.
Sporting Kansas City's pivotal double gameweek begins Wednesday when the club visits rivals Real Salt Lake in an Independence Day showdown at Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, Sports Radio 810 WHB and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM.
With half of the 2018 regular season in the books, Manager Peter Vermes' men will hope to retain their spot at the Western Conference summit well into the fall. The first step in doing so is to navigate a tricky four-day stretch that sees the side face RSL and reigning MLS Cup champion Toronto FC. Without further ado, let's take a look at five notable narratives surrounding Wednesday's clash in Sandy, Utah.
1. Bounce Back
Sporting KC took their third loss of the season on Saturday, falling 2-0 at the hands of Montreal Impact inside Stade Saputo. Each of the club's first two defeats were followed by impressive victories, demonstrating the side's ability to bounce back and stop any negative momentum in its tracks. An opening-day setback to New York City FC set the stage for a thrilling 4-3 road win over the Chicago Fire a week later. Likewise, Sporting KC atoned for a frustrating loss in New England on April 28 with a commanding triumph over the Rapids on May 5.
Saturday's showing in Montreal may have been Sporting KC's weakest of the year, but the team has just what it wants in the immediate aftermath: a chance to respond quickly against one of their fiercest Western Conference rivals.
2. Time at the Top
Fifteen weeks have transpired since Sporting KC vaulted to first place in the Western Conference standings. That 15-week spell is their second-longest uninterrupted run at the top of the conference in club history. The 2000 MLS Cup champions spent 21 straight weeks in first place before relinquishing it, then reclaiming it in time to capture the club's only Supporters' Shield to date.
In order to push this streak into the summer, Sporting KC will have to fend off both FC Dallas and LAFC for the foreseeable future. FC Dallas is tied for first on 32 points, while LAFC lurks close behind on 30 points. All three teams play twice this week, as listed below:
- Tuesday, July 3: LAFC at Houston Dynamo (8 p.m. CT)
- Wednesday, July 4: FC Dallas vs. Atlanta United FC (7 p.m. CT)
- Wednesday, July 4: Sporting KC at Real Salt Lake (9 p.m. CT)
- Saturday, July 7: LAFC vs. Orlando City SC (3:30 p.m. CT)
- Saturday, July 7: Sporting KC vs. Toronto FC (7:30 p.m. CT)
- Saturday, July 7: FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake (9 p.m. CT)
3. RSL Rematch
These teams met just four weeks ago at Rio Tinto Stadium, when Sporting KC emerged 2-0 victors in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round. Johnny Russell and Kharlton Belmar did the damage during a solid second-half, scoring and assisting to propel the visitors into the Round of 16.
Wednesday's game could a distinctly different look. Both clubs shuffled their reserve-heavy lineups for the Open Cup fixture, but the rematch will probably feature different personnel. Vermes and RSL head coach Mike Petke are also tasked with managing their squads amidst a busy fixture list.
For what it's worth, Sporting KC has a five-game winless run at Rio Tinto Stadium in MLS play (0-3-2) dating back to 2014. But the confidence gained from last month's Open Cup win might go a long way in helping the team to another triumph in Utah.
4. Fourth of July
Wednesday certainly isn't the first time Sporting KC has played on the fourth of July, but it does mark the club's first Independence Day matchup since 2012. Six years ago, Vermes' side left the U.S. and claimed a 3-1 win over Montreal on Canadian soil.
Kansas City played on the Fourth of July in 11 of its first 14 seasons from 1996-2009, but has done so just once since then. The club's overall record in these games is 3-7-2, with victories coming in 1997, 2002 and 2012.
5. Half-Price Apps at NOP
No Other Pub welcomes all fans to the official #RSLvSKC watch party on Wednesday night in the Kansas City Power and Light District. Matchday specials will begin at 8:30 p.m., featuring $5 Corona cans and 50 percent off all appetizers — including sliders, chicken strips, wings, spinach and artichoke dip, parma fries, avocado dip and loaded nachos.
And while we're on the subject, No Other Pub is Kansas City's World Cup headquarters during the 2018 FIFA World Cup this summer. Click here to learn more.
