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SKC have shown so far in the postseason how ruthless they are in front of goal and how stingy they are at the back. Always a wonderful combination. However, just one step away from the MLS Cup, can the young guns hold their nerve to see KC through to their first final since 2004?
Head-to-Head Breakdown: Kansas City vs. Houston | MLSsoccer.com
Houston are good - very, very good - on restarts. But the numbers suggest Sporting Kansas City might even have the upper hand on the Dynamo in dead ball productivity this season; i.e. goals scored from corner kicks, indirect free kicks, direct free kicks, penalty kicks and throw-ins.
SKC feel they more than match Dynamo on restarts | MLSsoccer.com
Bravo participated fully in training on Wednesday, even taking part in a short 11-a-side game to close out the session. He put his fitness at 100 percent, saying he no longer felt pain in the strained groin that kept him out of both legs of the Eastern Conference semifinal against the Colorado Rapids. Manager Peter Vermes, however, tempered that by saying he thought Bravo was closer to 80 percent and that he would continue monitoring the striker’s progress as the buildup to Sunday’s Eastern Conference Championship continues.
There was a time not long ago when those same old feelings started to creep up into Kei Kamara’s psyche. Things are going well now for Kamara, Sporting Kansas City’s bombastic forward, a fun-loving 27-year old with a penchant for wild shots, highlight-reel goals and amusing celebrations.
Don't take this the wrong way, Kansas City and Houston fans, but the Game of the Year is taking place in L.A. on Sunday, not in November 20's final. L.A., Salt Lake and Seattle were far and away the three best teams in MLS this season, and whoever wins this showdown should seal the deal in the title game.
Sporting is on a nice unbeaten run of their own though. Since a 1-0 loss at Salt Lake the game after the 3-0 win over Houston, KC has gone on a 7 game unbeaten run, going 5-0-2 during that same stretch. Omar Bravo could be back and available after missing the Colorado series through injury. The question is do you mess with a good thing that has come from starting Kei Kamara, Teal Bunbury, and CJ Sapong together.
"For a fan, this is kind of how it is supposed to be," Matt Besler said. "It’s number one and number two seeds and probably the two hottest teams. We think it’s going to be a great matchup. May the best team win."
East's top two teams meet with everything to play for on Sunday | Sporting Kansas City