Attempt blocked. Roger Espinoza (Sporting Kansas City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted byDominic Dwyer with a headed pass. Espinoza had a chance again, receiving at the top of the area and darting in before just missing wide of the far post.
Caleb Porter and company were famously victorious at Providence Park when last they faced Sporting Kansas City they were able to make the MLS Cup Final via a two post deflection in penalties in November of the 2015 season.
Sporting was able to come away with some redemption as Jacob Peterson headed home a second half ball to win 1-0 just a mere week ago.
For players from that match complete vindication would only be complete with a win Sunday.
In 2016 the Timbers have been showing some of the draining effects that Sporting Kansas City felt in 2015.
With the Champions League campaign underway resources are starting to be stretched. After a good run of nine matches unbeaten struggles are starting to occur after two consecutive losses in MLS play.
Sporting Kansas City, while not yet engaged in their Champions League campaign, Has picked up more points since the Copa America break.
Considering the difficulties that the squad was facing at the end of May things have been fixed.
The porous defense has been patched together from the working relationship that is between two unlikely characters in Lawrence Olum and Ike Opara. Considering this was not the initial center defender partnership that was originally set out the fact that Vermes looked outside the box when searching for a solution to not only the goals conceded but the boos from the home crowd.
For both teams this is coming down to key matches with only a third of the year left and a Champions League campaign for each squad there are no points that should be given up as the playoffs near.
Prediction: 1-0 Sporting Kansas City
