Four losses in five matches is tough to shake off but Sporting seeks to do so as they return to Sporting Park to face FC Dallas.
A run like this derailed the 2014 campaign, but the with the last four matches being on the road it is easier to see how they came about.
Late goals have been a major contributor. Against Columbus, the first of four road matches, two goals conceded in the final ten minutes, Sporting at one point led in this match. At Colorado a goal in the 76th minute was the difference, Sporting led in this game as well. Orlando scored two second half goals without their talisman Kaka in the lineup.
Defensive errors have really made this team falter when many were looking at Sporting and thinking of them as a serious contender for the Western Conference title. These errors and amount of goals conceded are reminiscent of the beginning of the year when Luis Marin was keeper before Tim Melia took charge
Speaking of Melia, after missing the Orlando game, he practiced all this week and should be in the starting 11. Also back will be Dom Dwyer who rightfully got his red card rescinded after the altercation that got him ejected against Orlando.
Fact is the team still is missing Roger Espinoza but that excuse cannot be why the team has performed the way they have. On player doesn’t make or break a team but his injury has been like a boat anchor going overboard in a storm and causing a ship to be seriously endangered. Should that be the case how does this team get back to what they were doing earlier in the summer?
By performing against FC Dallas like they did earlier in their two previous performances.
In the Open Cup and league combined Sporting won by a 10-2 margin.
That said they also were coming into stride and there is not a shred of that momentum at present in this squad right now.
Being said Sporting will thrive on returning home but not be able to replicate their magic previously performed.
Prediction: 1-1 draw, conceding late
