Sporting Kansas City: Three hopes, one fear

Hope #3: That Soni Mustivar can push the midfield forward.

Mustivar has been Vermes’ secret weapon this season in the midfield, using his speed and exquisite first touch to galvanize the Sporting midfield. With Zusi and Feilhaber being out for extended periods this season, Mustivar has taken over as Dwyer’s chief facilitator in the midfield.

Dwyer is not always the easiest player to work with on the pitch not necessarily because of an attitude issue but because he likes to do everything on his own. Mustivar has broken through with the Englishman and supplied him with many balls in space to knock home.

What will be interesting to see in the playoffs is if he can do it with Zusi and Feilhaber. If Sunday’s match is any indication then the answer seems to be yes. Each player seem to have a very good understanding as to where the one was and where they intending to go. Some of this can be credited to Vermes, who has always liked to have a very organized midfield. But the players also deserve their fair share of praise for finding out how to work with one another late in a season.

Mustivar might not score that many goals for Sporting but he is very important to their plans ahead of this year’s playoffs.