Sporting Kansas City seek their first MLS victory in three games when they welcome Chicago Fire to Children's Mercy Park on Sunday.
Peter Vermes's team played out a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy last time out, while the away side secured a 2-1 success at Portland Timbers to end an extended run without losing.
Match preview
When Sporting Kansas defeated Austin 4-1 on June 11, Vermes was probably unaware that the success was his team's last in their four-game unbeaten sequence.
Even though the ongoing two-match winless run is no cause for alarm, a 2-1 defeat to Los Angeles FC and a 2-2 draw in their most recent fixture with the Galaxy is far from ideal for a club looking to make the MLS playoffs.
The Wizards failed to make the 2022 playoffs after finishing 12th in the Western Conference — 22nd overall — but they find themselves a place higher with the regular season far from over.
A glance at the table shows that Sporting Kansas are five points adrift of seventh-placed Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference, the side that occupies the last guaranteed spot for the post-regular season playoffs.
Despite losing their last home game to the defending MLS champions LAFC, a four-game winning run hitherto gives reason for optimism when Chicago Fire visits Children's Mercy Park.
The away side ended a five-game run without winning with a 2-1 triumph over Portland Timbers this week and now seek consecutive victories in the competition for the first time in almost a year.
Frank Klopas replaced Ezra Hendrickson as interim head coach last month, even if that change has not precipitated a turnaround in results, with Fire claiming two victories in eight league matches under the temporary boss in familiar surroundings.
Klopas managed the club previously and was Hendrickson's assistant before the latter was jettisoned in May, and the 56-year-old has to navigate closing the gap on seventh-placed Orlando City SC, who occupy the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Fire's 2-1 road win last time out was the club's first on their travels since defeating Inter Miami 3-2 in late April, which does not say much given the losing side's MLS struggles this term — the Miami outfit are third-bottom in the overall standings and bottom in the Eastern Conference.
Without back-to-back away triumphs since August 2022, Klopas and his troops face an uphill battle despite Sporting KC's recent mini wobble.
Team News
Kortne Ford remains a long-term absentee for Sporting Kansas, having not played since last October, and he is not expected back as he continues to recuperate from the Achilles tendon surgery undergone months back.
Tim Melia, Kayden Pierre, Graham Zusi, and Willy Agada are unlikely to play any part this weekend.
Alan Pulido has registered six goal involvements in his last four appearances, including a brace against LA Galaxy, making him the home side's most threatening attacker.
Chris Brady returned from the head injury that kept him out of the Fire's two games preceding the 2-1 win over Portland Timbers, and the goalkeeper should keep his spot in the side this weekend.
Victor Bezerra's injury-plagued campaign means he sits out the Men in Red's visit to Kansas, while Chris Mueller, Miguel Navarro and Carlos Teran are not anticipated to feature.
Fabian Herbers is doubtful for the game after seemingly going off injured in the 78th minute against Portland, and he could be replaced by Maren Haile-Selassie, thus keeping Xherdan Shaqiri out following the Switzerland international's time with his country.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Mcintosh; Davis, Valencia, Fontas, Leibold; Thommy, Radoja, Walter; Shelton, Pulido, Salloi
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Brady; Souquet, Pineda, Czichos, Patino; Navarro, Gimenez; Haile-Selassie, Torres, Gutierrez; Kamara
We say: Sporting Kansas City 2-1 Chicago Fire
With goals aplenty in Sporting KC's recent games, a goal-laden affair could be in the offing this weekend at Children's Mercy Park, with the home side nicking the three points in front of their fans.
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