Major League Soccer action continues on Friday night in the Eastern Conference as Sporting Kansas City look to fortify their grip on the top of the standings against a Philadelphia Union side intent on barging into the playoff picture.
This promises to be a mouth-watering clash between two of the top-scoring teams in the East with Kansas City’s prolific striker Dom Dwyer taking on Philadelphia’s French star Sebastien Le Toux in a game that will be nationally televised.
Read on for our analysis of this vital Eastern Conference matchup. You can also catch our preview of another key Eastern face-off between Toronto FC and DC United here.
[sc:Soccer ]Philadelphia Union vs. Sporting Kansas City, Major League Soccer, Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kansas
When: Friday, August 1, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Philadelphia Union +420 vs. Sporting Kansas City -190, tie +280; total 3.0 – see all MLS lines
Betting on Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union emerged unscathed after a tough three-game, eight-day sojourn which saw them come back from a goal down to hold Chicago Fire to a 1-1 stalemate in their last game to boost their hopes of making the MLS Playoffs for the first time since 2011.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]French forward Sebastien Le Toux was once again the hero for the Union as he converted a penalty in the 89th minute to push his unblemished penalty scoring mark to a perfect 12-for-12. In fact, Le Toux’s team-leading 11 goals is one of the biggest reasons why the Union are still in the hunt for that final playoff spot in the East.
The Union are just a point behind the New York Red Bulls for the all-important fifth spot at 23 points. The Union have relied on their offensive brilliance this season to keep up with their opponents; their 33 goals scored is tops in the entire Eastern Conference. Their defensive frailties at the back, however, have cost them some valuable points. They’ve allowed 35 goals, the third-worst record in the entire league.
The Union’s recent away form has been steady, with two wins and a draw in their last four away from home. They will find it difficult, though, against the defending MLS champions Sporting Kansas City, who are once again running roughshod against their opponents in the East and have built a four-point edge at the top of the Eastern standings.
Betting on Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City have gone on a tear these past two months as they have gone unbeaten in their last seven games, notching 19 points out of a possible 21 to storm past D.C. United back into the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
The defending MLS champions have won their last four games, including a pulsating come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Toronto FC in their last match, pulling off the feat even with a man down.
Striker Dom Dwyer has been superb for the club, leading the team with 14 goals, which is the second-best mark in the league this season. KC has the second-most goals in the league this season with 31.
They have come a long way since their first meeting with the Union this season back in May 14, also at Sporting Park, where they suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Philadelphia behind an 81st minute winner from the Union’s Cristian Maidana.
Their seven-game unbeaten run will be put to the test though, with their backline severely crippled for Friday night’s game. Their conference-leading defense, which has allowed only 19 goals so far this season, will miss the services of returning US World Cup center back Matt Besler due to suspension after being sent off for the first time in his career in their last game against Toronto FC.
Left-back Seth Sinovic, who was a regular fixture to Sporting Kansas City’s starting lineup this season having started 20 of 21 games for the club this year, is also questionable after tweaking his right groin in that same game against Toronto FC.
Add to that the ill-timed call-up of defensive midfielder Lawrence Olum, who has experience at central defense, to the Kenyan squad for the African Cup of Nations and manager Peter Vermes will have his hands full when they entertain the Union this coming Friday.
Writer’s Prediction
Even with their defense being short-handed, Sporting Kansas City’s momentum will be too much for the Union as they solidify their hold at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Create a betting account now and cash in on all the MLS action as the playoff picture becomes clearer and clearer.
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