Sporting Kansas City vs Dallas FC

Dallas FC’s hopes of securing a playoff berth in the Western Conference are on the line as they travel to Children’s Mercy Park to encounter Major League Soccer underachievers Sporting Kansas City.

Kansas City’s rough patch continued in midweek MLS action as a 2-1 away defeat against Colorado Rapids condemned them to a fourth loss across their last five league games (W1). One of the worst-performing defensive teams in MLS conceded 2+ goals for the ninth time in 12 top-flight matches since the start of May, with only Western Conference whipping boys San Jose Earthquakes (56) capitulating more often than Kansas City (46). With the alarm bells ringing, manager Peter Vermes can’t afford another failure as his beleaguered side commenced this matchday 13 points below the final playoff spot in the west. You’d expect the Wizards to relish the upcoming home return, yet they’re the second-worst home team in the Western Conference with only 12 points from 11 matches (W3, D3, L5).

Meanwhile, Dallas fought back from a halftime deficit to beat Portland Timbers 3-2 at home in midweek and arrest a two-game losing league run, maintaining a seven-point deficit on 9th-placed Austin FC. However, interim coach Peter Luccin faces a formidable task, with the Texas powerhouse taking this trip as one of only two teams in the Western Conference yet to win on the road this season (D3, L7). A lack of firepower up front has seen Dallas score a measly average of 0.9 goals per away league game in 2024. That alarming trend may not continue in Kansas, considering they’ve bagged 2+ goals on seven of their last nine competitive visits.