Sporting Kansas Cityโs 6-0-0 start is unrivaled in Major League Soccerโs last 16 years. This represents the second-best start ever, bested only by the Los Angeles Galaxyโs 12-0 start in 1996, the leagueโs inaugural season. (That streak included one tiebreaker win, being back in the shootout era.)
Itโs a little early to wonder whether Peter Vermesโ side can double-down on its perfect start and make a run at the Galaxyโs big launch. But itโs never too early to wonder how far the Livestrong Sporting Park outfit might go.
Letโs look at their coming foursome of matches:
April 18, at Vancouver: This is the first of two toughies. Martin Rennieโ Whitecaps already looks like the most improved club in 2012 (although Chivas USA may yet have something to say about that.) The Whitecaps have a win and a draw at home so far. They have played twice on the road since a March 24 scoreless tie at BC Place against D.C. United, so theyโll be thrilled to be back along Pacific Boulevard.
April 21, at Portland: A trip into Jeld-Wen Field is always tricky (never mind Portlandโs splotchy home form this year) and the timing of this one makes it more so. First, this is a quick turn for SKC: play Wednesday, travel Thursday, quick walk-through on Friday and play again on Saturday. Kansas Cityโs high-pressure tactics exacts a physical price. So far Vermes has leaned heavily on his starting 11; might this be the first test of SKCโs depth?
May 5, vs. Montreal: If the team navigates those two, thereโs plenty of time to rest up for the expansion Impactโs visit. Given Montrealโs place in it all โ a club that looks every bit like a rookie outfit with a 1-5-1 mark in the standings โ and given the extra week of rest, this one sure looks like a โWโ waiting to happen for Sporting KC.
May 12, at Chicago: The Fire hasnโt been poor, but neither has Frank Klopasโ side been much to scream about in 2012. Sunday nightโs soggy 1-1 draw with Houston is the latest evidence that pieces remain missing at Toyota Park. By the way, Chicagoโs 16-11-22 record at home over the last four seasons is wholly underwhelming.
Sporting Kansas Cityโs complete schedule is here.
