All that can be said is “Bring on the Potters”.
Stoke City has been making a name for themselves as a tough nut to crack for Premier League sides ever since they reached this level starting in the 2008-09 season. All reasons for their success can be credited to manager and proud Welshman Tony Pulis.
Pulis has been able to find talent that fits inside his tactical plan. Not just that he finds the kind of players at modest prices which allow for his club to be successful as teams will pay more than they can afford after securing place in the Premier League for a few season.
That being said this Potters side is finishing their North American tour of their preseason and in terms of signings only Geoff Cameron has been brought in. Not that I analyse teams in the Prem, due to my club being a division down, but that says to me that Pulis has what he needs to succeed tis upcoming season.
For Sporting KC this friendly means a chance to rest some starters as they face a road fixture at New England on Saturday but Peter Vermes will have an eye on the fixture now a week away in the US Open Cup final at Livestrong against the reigning champion Seattle Sounders.
What does this bode for the line up against Stoke City?
My spider senses are telling me that Vermes will be sending out a side that will be a deal stronger than the squad that was put out for the Montpellier friendly but with New England still being an unstable side, with the addition that club icon, DP, and captain Shalrie Joseph being traded to Chivas. Picking up points on the road cannot be ignored.
Prediction: a lackluster 1-1 draw seems on the cards
Brian Sanders
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