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MLS Sporting Kansas City

Preview: Sporting KC Begins Key Week with Minnesota Match-Up on Saturday

September 15, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Sitting two points outside playoff position with six matches remaining, Sporting Kansas City will continue the club's push for the postseason with three matches in the next eight days and all of the action begins at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday when the team takes on Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field.

Sporting and Minnesota have met 20 times in all competitions since the Loons joined MLS in 2017, the most of any opponent for both teams, including a 3-0 home win for Sporting Kansas City on May 13 in the previous match-up. Tim Melia saved a penalty and Sporting improved to 10-6-4 in the all-time series with goals from Dany Rosero, Daniel Salloi and Gadi Kinda.

Notably, the visiting team has won only once in 16 all-time regular season meetings -- a 2-1 victory by Sporting KC in 2020 -- and the clubs will now meet twice in the final five weeks of the campaign with a Decision Day encounter looming on Oct. 21 at Children's Mercy Park.

Saturday's match-up will feature a Minnesota team riding the momentum of a seven-game unbeaten streak, the longest active unbeaten run in Major League Soccer and one shy of the club record, courtesy of a 93rd-minute equalizer from Franco Fragapane in last week's 1-1 draw with New England. Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City is winless in the club's last seven regular season road matches coming off a 3-2 loss in Miami.

However, Sporting Kansas City has shown an impressive ability to bounce back from losses this year with a 5-0-2 record in all competitions following defeats since April. The team's attack - which leads MLS with 35 goals scored since the start of May - has played a large part, led by Designated Player Alan Pulido. After missing all of 2022 due to injury, the Mexican striker is tied for second in MLS with 13 goals this season and is currently in a remarkable run of form with 12 goals in the team's last 12 games.

Aiding Pulido in the attack are wingers Daniel Salloi, who has scored or assisted in his last five regular season appearances, and club captain Johnny Russell, who has 13 goal contributions (three goals, 10 assists) in 13 games played against Minnesota in his career. In the midfield, Designated Player Erik Thommy leads the team with 12 assists in all competition to go along with four goals for the German playmaker.

Led by head coach Adrian Heath, Minnesota currently sit seventh in the Western Conference standings in pursuit of a fifth consecutive berth in the postseason. The Loons made key additions this summer with the acquisition of Finnish forward Teemu Pukki - who scored in his last two appearances before departing on international duty - along with the midfield duo of Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Jan Gregus. The newcomers complement the team's top scorer, South African striker Bongokuhle Hlongwane with 15 goals in all competitions, and MLS All-Star Emanuel Reynoso, who has eight goals in all competitions after missing the first three months of the season.

The Western Conference clash will be broadcast live on Apple TV in English and Spanish for MLS Season Pass subscribers (sign up for a free one-month trial). Local radio coverage will air on ESPN Kansas City 94.5 FM and 1510 AM as well as La Grande 1340 AM with streams in the Sporting KC app, while Saturday's showdown will also be available to watch at pub partners in the Sporting Pub Network.

Sporting Kansas City at Minnesota United FC

2023 MLS Regular Season | Match 29

Saturday, September 16 | 7:30 p.m. CT (6:39 kickoff)

Allianz Field | Saint Paul, Minnesota

Broadcast Schedule:

Apple TV | MLS Season Pass

English Radio | ESPN KC 94.5 FM & 1510 AM

Spanish Radio | La Grande 1340 AM

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