Sporting KC must rebound against lesser opponents

Sporting KC forward Latif Blessing. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sporting KC forward Latif Blessing. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

 Sporting KC has dropped their last two matches. If they want to hold onto first place in the Western Conference, they need to win their next two.

As it currently stands, Sporting KC is in first place in the MLS Western Conference. However, their lead in the conference is in jeopardy after losing their last two matches. Kansas City must win their next two games, both against much less talented teams, in order to hold onto their spot at the top of the conference.

Unfortunately for Sporting, these past two losses came against teams they should have easily handled. Neither Vancouver or Colorado are in the upper half of the league right now. In fact, the Rapids are currently in last in the Western Conference. For whatever reason, Sporting KC just isn’t playing up to their ability.

The most concerning aspect of these two losses is the fact that SKC failed to score in both games. A lack of offense was a major issue in 2016, and it is starting to become a real concern this year as well. The club had started to show some life on the offensive end of things with Gerso Fernandes and Latif Blessing. However, they have both cooled off the past two matches.

Related Story: Sporting KC: New Additions Paying Off

Sporting needs those young forwards to step up as it is currently dealing with an injury to star attacker Dom Dwyer. Without their leading attacker, SKC is looking a little flat on the field. That has to change, and change quickly.

The good news is that neither Montreal or Minnesota should present too heavy a challenge. In fact, they are among the worst in MLS this year. Montreal struggles to score, and Minnesota has given up an embarrassing 30 goals in just 14 games.

Sporting KC appears to be on track for a 2017 playoffs spot. This team looks talented and has shown they can compete with anyone. However, SKC has to be able to play well consistently. They have lost too many games against inferior competition. It’s time to step things up.