Sporting Kansas City: Three hopes, one fear

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 16, 2016; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando (18) makes the stop against Sporting Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer (14) 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; Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando (18) makes the stop against Sporting Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer (14) in the second half at Rio Tinto Stadium. The game ended 0-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

The big fear: That not having a consistent number two goal scorer will cost them.

Ever since the club lost Krisztian Nemeth to Al-Gharafa in the winter transfer window the club has been looking for a replacement to go up top with Dwyer. Here we are one day before their first playoff match and they are still looking for that replacement. The club has tried multiple different parties up top with Dwyer (Diego Rubin, Jacob Peterson, Connor Hallisley, and Cameron Porter) and none of them have really worked out. Only two other players on Sporting’s roster aside from Dwyer have more than five goals (Peterson and Peterson).

Opponents have spotted this weakness all season long and have tracked Dwyer very carefully  limiting him his opportunities. He may have 16 goals this season but they may be the most difficult goals of his career. Shut down Dwyer and you shut down the Sporting Kansas City attack.

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Much like with the second hope that we have outlined a healthy Zusi adds so much to this Sporting attack. With him on the wing Vermes has a player who can score from distance and make defenses get out of their shell. With a weapon like Zusi on the outside it can give Dwyer a little more space to work with.

Sporting have also had a bit of luck with Seattle this season having swept the season series 2-0 and having outscored their Western Conference opponent 4-0. If they can get a few goal and rely on their defense then they may have a chance.