Sporting Kansas City – Consistently Good
Sporting Kansas City clinched the first play-off spot in the Eastern Conference in 2012 with an absolutely huge 2-0 victory over the high-flying Chicago Fire in front of a 21010 capacity crowd at Livestrong Sporting Park. In what was a very physical match, 26 year old USA international Graeme Zusi put in a Man of the Match performance and probably his best game of the season, slotting home two goals. The result leaves Sporting 5 points clear of Chicago at the top of the Eastern Conference and 2 points behind San Jose in the Supporters Shield race having played a game more, but could they catch up with only 3 games left to play of the regular season?
Kansas City has been in consistently good form so far this season, boasting a record of 17-7-7 and has being winning in style. Head Coach Peter Vermes insistence of playing a high-pressure system with an emphasis on ball retention has been working excellently this season. Flair and hard work ethic have been the ingredients to their success this season, with the likes of Honduran Roger Espinoza who is heavily linked to a move to Europe to Wigan Athletic in the January transfer Window, being one of the stars in the middle, constantly winning the ball and being tidy with it once in possession.
What has been the most exciting however is the three at the top, Kei Kamara has been a constant thorn to many MLS defenses this season, his raw pace and his contribution to team-play, 11 goals and 6 assists, has certainly helped to put Sporting in the position theyre in now. Graeme Zusi, who made the All-Star team this season, has also contributed heavily, his 14 assists have put him joint top with Landon Donovan on the assists table. Up front, the re-emergence of the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year, CJ Sapong has been outstanding, after struggling to perform when playing out wide in the 4-3-3 followed on by a lengthy injury, Sapong has returned to Centre Forward and has put away 2 goals in 4 since his return. He is more than just about goals however, constantly drawing in defenders and opening up space for others in behind, with only four players younger than 24 have been fouled more times in MLS this year than Sapong's 38 fouls drawn (Opta). Aurelien Collin in central defence should also be noted, who has quite simply been a rock at the back.
The team have been consistently performing throughout the season, and although it could be tough to take home the Supporters Shield due to the lack of games left, if San Jose start to slip up. Who knows? More importantly, the play-off spot has been clinched and if Sporting can take their season form into the play-offs, you have to put them as one of the favourites to lift the MLS Cup on December 1st.