Sporting Kansas City’s chances of being a playoff team once more are rapidly diminishing. Injuries have wreaked havoc on this team this season, and we have seen Sporting KC go from the best team in the Western Conference in 2018 to the 10th place team this season. They are six points outside the playoff picture and desperate for a win when Minnesota United FC come to town on Thursday night. Minnesota United FC are sitting in second place in the Western Conference.
Don't miss the Major League Soccer action from Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 22, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN.
MLS Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Sporting Kansas City -140
Minnesota United FC +345
Draw +315
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
The Loons are poised to make the postseason for the first time in their history. They have looked fantastic over the last two months, posting a 6-1-3 record in their last 10 games, and the club has a five-point cushion when it comes to qualifying for the postseason.
Minnesota United FC were fortunate to get a point on Saturday though. The Loons had 22 shots in a home game against Orlando City, but they couldn’t crack through the Lions back line until injury time. Then, Abu Danladi scored two minutes into extra time to salvage a draw for the hosts.
We haven’t seen Sporting KC look particularly sharp at home. They are 5-5-3 in home games this season, and they have lost two of their last three home games. Sporting KC did secure a win over San Jose on Saturday though.
Club legend Benny Feilhaber was the hero of the day for Sporting KC in the win. They were down 1-0 in the second half when he tallied shortly after the break to level the match at one. Graham Smith ended up tallying the eventual game-winner a short time later to keep this team’s playoff hopes alive.
Key Absences
Angelo Rodriguez is likely to miss this match for Minnesota United. Rodriguez came off in the 26th minute due to a right hamstring injury, and he will probably need at least a week to recover. Loons’ captain Ozzie Alonso is considered doubtful to play as well due to a right thigh injury.
The injury list for Sporting Kansas City is long. Defenders Rodney Wallace and Botond Barath have been ruled out of this match, and goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas won’t play either. Midfielder Cameron Duke will be sidelined, and forward Krisztian Nemeth won’t suit up as well. Gerso Fernandes is questionable with an ankle injury.
Player to Watch
Johnny Russell was the man of the match for Sporting Kansas City on Saturday. Russell was only credited an assist, but he turned the game on its head in the second half nearly netting a goal before Feilhaber scored. He was instrumental in setting up both of Sporting KC’s goals, and he continues to be the team’s main playmaker. Russell has eight goals and six assists so far in 2019.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Although Minnesota United are currently in second place in the Western Conference, they are heavy underdogs per the MLS betting odds on Thursday. It’s not easy to play midweek road games, and the potential unavailability of both Angelo Rodriguez and Ozzie Alonso really hurts their chances of earning a result.
The Loons have lost seven of their 12 road games to date this season, and I think they’ll come up short again. Johnny Russell will end up on the scorer’s sheet in a win for the hosts.
Major League Soccer Odds: Sporting Kansas City 2, Minnesota United FC 1
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