Match Preview: Sporting KC vs. Chivas USA, Can Chivas Upset Again?

Sporting Kansas City are set to do battle against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center tonight as they attempt to improve their season record to a perfect 4 wins. Chivas however will be looking for the win just as much as Sporting KC will. While Chivas may be the underdogs even in their own stadium, last week's match was an encouraging one for them. Robin Fraser and his men pulled out a surprise 1-0 win against Real Salt Lake, giving them an important 3 points. And Alicia Ratterree of The Goat Parade was quick to point out that the win was a well deserved one for Chivas in my weekly 3 question post with other MLS bloggers around SB Nation.

She also says that Chivas will have confidence and that anything other than a good result would be a let down for the Chivas fans. But aren't Sporting KC full of confidence too? They're the only team to have won three matches in the entire league, their attack is churning out goals, and the defense has let in just one goal, and even then, it was off a unstoppable free-kick. So who will win? Does Sporting KC's potent attack outwit Chivas' well organized back line? Or does Ryan Smith bag one against his former employer?

For now of course, it's all just speculation. But we can however, look a little deeper into the upcoming match itself to give us a better idea of what to expect

Keep reading for more preview goodness

The Basics

Time: 8:00 pm CT, coverage starts on KSMO at 7:30 pm.

Where: The Home Depot Center, Carson, California.

Who: Sporting KC vs. Chivas USA

What: Major League Soccer Round 4

Key Matchup: Sporting KC's Attack vs. Chivas' defense

I know The Goat Parade already had this as their key match up for tonight's game but it really is the most important match up when you look at this fixture on paper. Chivas defense, while they are not all superstars, are well organized and have conceded just 2 goals this campaign. While Sporting KC's attack has 6 goals on the season and have the highest shot taker in the league through Kei Kamara. So it will certainly be fun to see who will pull out on top.

Predicted Starting Lineup: GK: Jimmy Nielsen RB: Chance Myers CB"s: Aurelien Collin, Matt Besler LB: Seth Sinovic CM's: Julio Cesar, Graham Zusi, Roger Espinoza RW: Kei Kamara ST: CJ Sapong LW: Bobby Convey

I'm going out on a limb with this lineup here, just kidding, it's the same one we've seen for the past two weeks. Unless Teal Bunbury gets the nod from Peter Vermes to start up in place of CJ Sapong, otherwise, normal old lineup we've come to enjoy.

Predicted Scoreline: Sporting Kansas City 2 - Chivas USA 1

Why we will concede a goal: As good as Chivas defense can be Sporting KC's can be better. Chivas plays with one of the most defensive formations in the league so the only way they could catch SKC would most likely be on a set piece or a lucky bounce.

Why we will score 2 goals: With both CJ Sapong and Teal Bunbury an option for Peter Vermes I don't see how one of them won't score. As much as CJ looked like a ghost last match against FC Dallas he was playing against a defense that just two short years ago was in the MLS Cup final. Kei Kamara will be looking to impress his family and friends and even Bobby Convey will have something to prove after some lack-luster performances this season.