2020 Audi MLS Cup: Sporting KC vs Minnesota United
The second Western Conference Semi-Final of this year’s MLS playoff will feature conference leader Sporting KC against 4th place Minnesota United. The winner of this matchup will face off against heavy favorites and defending champs, Seattle Sounders.
To get there of course, these teams have to get past each other. While Sporting KC is the favorite to come out of this matchup, Minnesota can’t quite be written off as easily. The Minnesotan team is coming into this match with an underdog mentality that they are hoping can help get them to the next stage against the Sounders. The road to the semi’s was an easier one for them as well, as they handily took care of the Rapids at home with a score of 3-0. Sporting won’t be as easy to dispatch however, so the Loons will need star players Kevin Molino and Emanuel Reynoso to be firing on all cylinders.
Sporting KC on their end will need to rely on their seasons star player: mextranjero Alan Pulido. The ex-Chivas star has been Sporting’s secret weapon throughout the season, in the games he has been able to play. While the striker has been particularly effective, leading the team in both goals and assists, he only played 12 games this season due to on-and-off injuries. Such is the story of this upcoming match as well. Pulido will be coming off a recent knee injury which kept him out of Sporting’s previous match. Earlier this week however, the striker was declared ready to go for the match against the Loons. Of course, it will remain to be seen whether Pulido will start the game or come off the bench. To many, his presence could be one of the deciding factors for this matchup. Our Mextranjero won’t be alone however, as right behind him he’ll have the aid of Johnny Russell and Gadi Kinda, Sporting’s star midfield duo.
Regardless if Pulido starts or not, the Nicest Rivalry in Sports, as they call it, should be a great match to watch, and hopefully one filled with goals as well. Be sure to follow El Tri Online for more news on our Mextranjeros in MLS. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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