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Sporting Kansas City: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

Oct 16, 2016; Sandy, UT, USA; Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi (8) and Real Salt Lake midfielder Demar Phillips (17) battle for the ball in the second half at Rio Tinto Stadium. The game ended 0-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Sandy, UT, USA; Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi (8) and Real Salt Lake midfielder Demar Phillips (17) battle for the ball in the second half at Rio Tinto Stadium. The game ended 0-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2016; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC mid-fielder Connor Hallisey (22) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal on a penalty kick against Central FC during the second half at Children
Oct 19, 2016; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC mid-fielder Connor Hallisey (22) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal on a penalty kick against Central FC during the second half at Children /

Sporting Kansas City and the six pack challenge

Leave it to the powdered blues to wait until the last match of the season to finally round into form. After a season of starts and starts Sporting Kansas City finally looked like the side that some predicted would make the MLS Cup this season. Thanks to goals from Benny Feilhaber and Graham Zusi Sporting KC punched their sixth consecutive playoff appearance.

While that feat is certainly commendable the question is now can they actually do something in the playoffs. It is true that during this window the club did win an MLS Cup. But in their previous two forays into the league’s second season they have been knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. Last season was particularly heartbreaking for SKC, losing to the Portland Timbers not just in penalties but also having one of their shots hit both posts.

So can Sporting erase their previous two performances with a strong run in the MLS Cup? The hope is that with their strong defense and a refocused Benny Feilhaber Sporting have what it takes to run the gauntlet. But the fear is that without a quality second striker up top that they are going to have trouble finding goals.

Before SKC takes on the Seattle Sounders on Thursday (10:O0PM EST FS1, UNiMas, TSN1) let’s take a look at the three hopes and one fear of the side!

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