Toronto FC travels to Missouri this weekend for a match against Sporting Kansas City at 7:00 PM ET [TSN 2 | Fox Sports 1 | TSN 1050].
With a point the Reds can start the season unbeaten through three games for the first time in club history.
It will not be easy, however, with SKC emerging as the team to beat in the Western Conference through two games. Though both of their wins, away vs. Seattle and at home vs. Vancouver, came against opponents that were down to 10-men, it’s been an impressive start for Peter Vermes’ side.
They’ve taken six points through two games without last season’s MVP finalist Benny Feilhaber (abdomen) and newcomer Justin Mapp (turf toe). With Sporting Kansas City off next weekend, it’s possible Feilhaber is rested another week. “We’re just going based off how he feels each day. He’s doing more stuff today than he did before,” Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said regarding Feilhaber on Tuesday, via the Kansas City Star’s Sam McDowell.
Though Feilhaber’s status is uncertain, Dom Dwyer and Graham Zusi have shown they can carry the offensive load for SKC.
Here are three keys for Sunday’s match vs. Sporting Kansas City.
Containing Dom Dwyer
The Sporting Kansas City striker is aiming big in 2016.
Dwyer wants to score 30 goals this season and after being held off the score sheet against Seattle he responded in a big way against Vancouver, scoring both SKC goals on the way to a 2-1 win.
For the third straight week the Reds will be going up against one of the best forwards in the league. They managed to contain Bradley Wright-Phillips while David Villa was a menace in the first half for NYCFC against TFC.
If the Reds prevent Dwyer from finding the back of the net it will go a long way towards helping Toronto FC make history on Sunday night.
Altidore’s Return
After a superb offseason it was especially disappointing for Jozy Altidore to miss the first two games of the season due to a hamstring injury, but he’s back now.
“It was a bit frustrating because [the injury] wasn’t as serious as some people made it out to be,” said Altidore following training on Friday. “I’m excited, I’m fit and I’m ready to go.”
How TFC will line up with Altidore back in the fold is the big question. The team has used a 4-3-3 formation with Sebastian Giovinco leading the line up top. Altidore’s return could see the return of Giovinco to the wide left position, where he did most of his damage during the 2015 campaign.
How the attacking pair will work together will be a major key.
“I don’t think we’ve seen their peak together,” Greg Vanney said. “That will take a little bit of time and a lot of games but hopefully as the season goes on they’ll be together on the field more often.”
Embracing The Environment
It’s called the Blue Hell for a reason and though Children’s Mercy Park doesn’t scream ‘fortress’ judging by its name, it’s most definitely one of the toughest venues for travelling teams in MLS.
“It’s one of the best atmospheres [in MLS],” Will Johnson said.
Johnson is used to that type of environment, having spent many years in Portland.
“It’s similar to Portland in the fact that the opposing teams get up for the match just as much as the home team. You want to play in atmospheres like that."
The Reds have taken part in two games in front of hostile crowds and done well to embrace the pageantry. They’ll have to do it again on Sunday.
Catch the game at 7:00 PM ET on TSN 2, Fox Sports 1 or listen to the match on the radio on TSN 1050.
