Sporting Kc To Face Defending MLS Cup Champions Colorado Rapids

On Saturday night Sporting Kc will take the pitch at Dick's Sporting Goods Park to try and get 3 points as they face the Colorado Rapids. The Rapids have been "injury-plagued" almost all season and may be without the likes of front-men Omar Cummings and Conner Casey this weekend. This could be a good sign for a struggling SKC side who have yet to win a league game since their first week of Major League Soccer. But, after a 5-0 win on Wednesday against New England, Sporting will have some momentum going into the game.

When and Where

When: 8:00 PM CT on KSMO
Where: Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Commerce City, Colorado

Suspensions/International Duty
Suspensions: Mullan(COL)
International Duty: Espinoza(SKC), Auvray(SKC), Kamara(SKC), Thomas(SKC), Kempin(SKC)

Lineup
With many players for SKC on international duty, Sporting will put out a different lineup than we saw last week against Seattle. Also, I would not be surprised if Myers started out on the right wing and Bravo took Zusi's midfield spot.

 Subs: Kronberg, Lorenz, Cesar, Sassano, Stojcev, Myers, Sapong

Key Match-ups:

Teal Bunbury vs. the Colorado defense. Colorado's defense is one of the best in the league and lone striker
Bunbury may find it tough to penetrate the Rapids defense.

Pablo Mastroeni vs. Omar Bravo/Graham Zusi. Who ever starts in the attacking midfield role for SKC will be heavily marked by defensive midfielder, Pablo Mastroeni.

Ryan Smith vs. Kosuke Kimura. Colorado defender Kosuke Kimura will have trouble containing speedy winger Ryan Smith who will look to spark SKC's attack throughout the match.

Final Prediction
SKC 1- COL 0 (Bravo)
A dismantled Colorado side is coming off of a midweek league match and may be fatigued. SKC will be brimming with confidence after their victory and will present a squad that is near 100% healthy. Colorado won't let in many goal's so you'd think it would take a player with caliber, like Omar Bravo, to break the defensive stronghold at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.