Sporting KC Aims to Conclude the Season on a Positive Note Against FC Dallas
A duo of disheartening campaigns will reach their conclusion on MLS Decision Day as Sporting Kansas City heads to FC Dallas on Saturday evening.
Neither club has succeeded in securing a playoff berth, an unusual situation for both sides. This is only the third instance in 14 years that Sporting Kansas City (8-18-7, 31 points) will skip the MLS Cup Playoffs, while FC Dallas (10-15-8, 38 points) will miss out for the third time in the past 11 seasons.
Sporting Kansas City’s Challenges and Revamp
Sporting Kansas City is eager to finish the season positively, requiring a victory to avert their second-lowest points total in franchise history. With 31 points, SKC is already set to document its lowest tally since the MLS shifted to a 34-match framework in 2011. Head coach Peter Vermes has recognized that the organization necessitates substantial transformations going forward.
“This is essentially a rebuilding phase in some ways,” Vermes remarked. “It’s apparent that change is necessary… perhaps in organizational structure and personnel. Numerous factors contribute to that.”
Following a challenging season characterized by inconsistency, Kansas City has extended its MLS losing streak to three matches, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC on October 5. A reconstruction might be on the horizon as the club seeks to reset and rework its lineup and strategies in preparation for 2024.
FC Dallas’ Unpredictability
FC Dallas encountered its own set of challenges throughout the season, beginning the year with a 1-5-2 start that put them in a considerable deficit. Despite flashes of optimism mid-season, their late push ended rudely with a 1-4-2 record in their last seven encounters. They enter Saturday’s match winless in their previous three games, registering an 0-2-1 mark during that period.
Although the season has been fraught with injuries and defensive lapses, Dallas interim head coach Peter Luccin commended the team’s attitude.
“The players’ mindset has been commendable,” Luccin stated. “Our responsibility is simply to give our utmost on Saturday… That’s the least we can offer to the supporters.”
Positive Highlights and Key Players
One silver lining for FC Dallas this season has been Petar Musa, who has shone brightly in his inaugural year in MLS. The designated player, who joined last February, has scored 15 goals, tying him for 10th place in the league. Despite the team’s adversities, Musa has emerged as a reliable performer, giving hope for what lies ahead.
Conversely, Sporting Kansas City will strive for a season sweep against FC Dallas. They have already triumphed over Dallas twice this year: first in a 3-2 home victory on July 7 in league play, and then a 2-1 extra-time win to eliminate Dallas from the U.S. Open Cup just three days later.
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Looking Forward
Both teams will surely aim to regroup and return revitalized in the 2024 season. For Sporting KC, the upcoming offseason may entail considerable adjustments as they work to rebuild their roster. Meanwhile, FC Dallas will seek to enhance their consistency and rectify their defensive issues to re-establish themselves in playoff contention for the next year.