Both teams will be desperate to record their first league victory of the season when Sporting Kansas City host San Jose Earthquakes in MLS on Saturday evening.
Kansas have drawn all three of their opening fixtures, while San Jose are yet to get off the mark having lost three from three.
Match preview
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Having qualified for the playoffs last season after missing out in 2022, Kansas will be expecting to be involved at the business end of the campaign once again after reaching the semi-finals in three of the last six seasons.
Peter Vermes has been in charge of the Wizards since 2009, winning the club's second MLS Cup in 2013 to follow up their glorious success in 2000. They also went on to lift the US Open Cup in 2015 and 2017, adding to their triumphs in that competition in 2004 and 2012.
The 57-year-old made 66 caps for the United States during his playing career, impressively scoring 11 times for his country despite being a defender. His side lacked that same killer instinct in front of goal when being held to a 0-0 draw away to Los Angeles FC last weekend, registering six shots on target from 16 shots in total after dominating possession with 61% of the ball.
Having thrown away one-goal leads in their opening two matches, meaning that they have drawn all three games, Vermes and his players will be desperate to pile the misery on their opponents at Children's Mercy Park.
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Indeed, San Jose have suffered a desperately disappointing opening period of the season, with Luchi Gonzalez losing out to FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps.
In a match devoid of quality and chances for the most part, Vancouver struck twice late on through goals from Alessandro Schopf and Ali Ahmed to snatch all three points at PayPal Park last weekend.
Having failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season, pressure must be mounting on Gonzalez, who was appointed as head coach in January 2023. The former FC Dallas boss has since won less than a quarter of his 41 matches in charge.
The Quakes have not progressed beyond the first round of the playoffs since 2012, so the early signs suggest that their long period of decline is set to continue. However, they do have plenty of time to turn things around, and they may sense an opportunity to at least avoid defeat for the first time this season.
Team News
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Kansas will remain without Remi Walter and Khiry Shelton due to ankle injuries, while Logan Ndenbe is sidelined for several months as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious ACL injury.
Despite failing to score, Vermes surprisingly made no substitutes during his side's stalemate against LAFC last time out, suggesting that he has full confidence in his strongest starting XI.
San Jose, meanwhile, will travel without Carlos Akapo (foot), Niko Tsakiris (abdominal) and JT Marcinkowski (knee) due to injury.
Having been defeated once again in their last match, Gonzalez could opt to make at least a few selection switches, with Alfredo Morales poised to provide some bite within the visitors' engine room.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Davis, Rosero, Fontas, Leibold; Thommy, Radoja, Rodriguez; Russell, Pulido, Salloi
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Marie, Wilson, Rodrigues, Costa; Gruezo, Morales; Espinoza, Skahan, Pellegrino; Ebobisse
We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-0 San Jose Earthquakes
With both teams yet to win in MLS this season, we expect to see a nervy and potentially cagey encounter play out in Kansas on Sunday.
However, the hosts have not fallen behind yet this season, going on to draw all three matches. We can envisage them holding onto a narrow lead this time around, which would make it four defeats from four for San Jose.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Brett Curtis
