In terms of domestic soccer in America this is the moment that all the players in MLS aim for. An MLS Cup championship.
For Sporting KC this is the build up of the last three season as the evolution of a club in North America going from playoff appearance, to playoffs and US Open Cup victory, to playoff appearance ending up in the championship along with making the Champions League knockout stage.
For RSL this is their second cup final in the calendar year having fallen in the US Open Cup final. Most figured that they would be dealing with a rebuilding season as many players were shipped off but they ended up being the second best goal scorers and now look to win their second ever MLS Cup.
It is a contrast of styles as Sporting KC plays a very physical style, very much how Peter Vermes played as a player. On the opposite side is RLS under Jason Kreis who prefers to play a possession based game. Both teams like to keep the ball but whomever gets his tactics right will be favored to make things their own.
With conditions being dry and topping at 24 degrees the fans are definitely going to be bundled up and making noise for both of their teams.
Hours and hours of debate could go on but it is going to come down to who scores the first goal as each team will be able to then keep the ball away from their opposite number and they will be hosting the trophy for the second time in each club’s history.
Brian Sanders
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