Sporting Kansas City-Union Preview

KYW’s Greg Orlandini and PSP’s Eli Pearlman-Storch talk with Union coach Jim Curtin as he readies his team to face Kansas City. The last result saw Kansas romp to a 3-2 victory, taking advantage over one of M’bohli’s most infuriating appearances. With a win tonight, that would make for three major titles in four years for SKC, a feat that only the LA Galaxy can boast, with their three MLS Cup titles over the past four seasons.

First is the CONCACAF Champions League, which has proved a hell of a steep hill to climb over the past eight years. Originally the Technical Director for the Kansas City Wizards, Vermes moved downstairs to take over as interim head coach midway through 2009. Peter Vermes won’t allow anything less than that. Feilhaber has the edge in the matchup because of his ability to find goals for himself, something the Union will need to deal with will if they are going to have a chance of lifting the U.S. Open Cup trophy. Whatever the case, Vermes approves of Curtin’s job thus far. Only three players from the Union squad that day – Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud and Antione Hoppenot – remain teammates of Sapong’s. “Like all our clubs, it takes time to build and they’ve put themselves in a good position”. This is a lost year for the Philadelphia Union as they have 34 points from 31 played in league play and are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs in the weak Eastern Conference. It’s one of those games where the odds can’t calculate who wants it more.and for me, that’s the Union. Every final is different, and he’s surrounded by players with very different experiences, primarily endeavoring to erase the sting of last fall’s loss to Seattle.

“I think it was much needed”, Besler told reporters on Monday. It’s basically just what the guys are used to and how we’ve been doing it all season long.

Sakiewicz, CEO of the Keystone Group which owns the Union, was a gleeful presence on the sidelines as his team pulled off its unlikely win over his former club in New York (he was involved with MetroStars’ sale to the Red Bulls), and would dearly love a first trophy for Philadelphia to help validate his reign in Chester.

In 2013, Sporting Club – the parent organization of Sporting Kansas City – launched The Victory Project, which unites the team’s supporters, players and staff to make a tangible difference in the lives of children who are battling cancer and all of life’s challenges.

“I’m still fighting through the injury”, he continued. “This is the biggest game of the year for our club and I’m doing what I can to make sure I’m able to play in that game”.

Or it could be that Curtin, in the last few hours of preparation, closes his eyes and imagines the feeling of waking up Thursday morning in a world where the Union’s trophy cabinet remains bare, wondering at his reflection in the mirror if the 11 players he called upon were truly his best. It’s a good situation because both of them have played well.

“It was my first trophy as a pro, so it is one of the most significant moments of my career at this point”, Sapong said of what the Open Cup trophy meant to him. Forward C.J. Sapong was a key figure on that title-winning team, but on Wednesday he will be the Union’s key target forward as he looks to continue an impressive first season in Philadelphia. “We understand that we’re away from home”. Everything during the buildup happens for a reason. “It’s what everybody plays for”. But it’s what his team accomplished in 2012 that he said set a “benchmark” for him. That’s not much on their minds either.

In terms of success in this tournament, Sporting Kansas City has lifted the Dewar Cup twice in 2004 and 2012. “All the other stuff that goes along with it, with the Champions League berth, those are all added bonuses, but honestly right now there hasn’t been a whole lot of thought about that stuff”.

If the Union end up on the short end Wednesday, Curtin will be second-guessed left and right. This year’s championship at Swope Soccer Village will be the third straight hosted in Kansas City. The USOC’s century-long history is colorful and glorious, and over the last 20 years has provided for a few of the most entertaining midweek summer nights around. “Obviously it motivated us to get back to that stage again and hopefully this time we’ve learned something from that”.