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About the Teams
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City comes into this match off a bye week, meaning they are the best rested they have been since before the crazy start to the season. They'll be missing Uri Rosell for this match off a red card suspension from the previous match against Real Salt Lake, so Lawrence Olum is likely to be in the starting lineup. Other than that, they should have a full strength starting lineup. The season-ending injury to Ike Opara leaves them very thin at centerback depth, so expect Eric Palmer-Brown to be on the bench as an emergency substitute.
Montreal Impact
Montreal is a team that seems to play Kansas City better than they should, or at least get better results. The have faced SKC 6 times, winning three, dropping two and one draw. Throw in new coach Frank Klopas who seemed to manage Chicago getting better results than they should against Kansas City and it could be a dangerous match for the home team. The Impact started with three straight losses and are still winless but now have three draws to their credit so them seem to be improving,
Who to Watch
Sporting Kansas City - Lawrence Olum
With Rosell out, Olum is the likely starter at the defensive mid spot and the game could very well turn on how well he fills in. If Olum struggles, the back line could well have Montreal players running at them all night, if he plays well the defense will have time to turn most attacks. Extra special reason: I played the match on FIFA 14 and Olum scored the winning goal.
Montreal Impact - Troy Perkins
Montreal will give Sporting KC chances. It will probably be like most games where the home team creates lots of chances. The biggest questions is will Perkins have the game of his season (like every other visiting keeper to Sporting Park) and come up big time after time.
Why They Will Win
Sporting Kansas City
The home team is rested, mostly healthy, the better team, in better form (not their best) and several players are due to have some bounces go their way with shots. Dwyer, Zusi, Zizzo, Feilhaber all have the potential to get on the score sheet.
Montreal Impact
Montreal has stolen games before and Klopas has managed to frustrate Kansas City multiple times. Never ever rule out Di Vaio scoring.
Predictions
Lineups
Sporting Kansas City - Kronberg - Myers, Collin, Besler, Sinovic - Nagamura, Olum, Feilhaber, - Zusi, Dwyer, Zizzo
Montreal Impact - Perkins
Scoreline
Sporting KC 2-1 Montreal
Montreal scares Sporting KC by scoring first but a quick counter evens it up with the home team pulling it out in the second half. IF Sporting takes lead early, it could turn into a larger scoreline.