Two clubs in nearly identical spots will square off Saturday night in Kansas City, Kan., with a chance to improve their standing.
The Chicago Fire (4-6-8, 20 points) will face Sporting Kansas City (5-9-6, 21 points) in a matchup of two sides just below the playoff line in their respective conferences.
Sporting KC are in slightly better shape, sitting in a tie for 10th in the Western Conference, with two other clubs just a point ahead. Chicago is tied for 11th in the Eastern Conference. The best the Fire can do Saturday is pull into a tie for the final playoff spot just past the halfway mark.
Chicago is coming off a 2-1 road win in Portland on Wednesday to snap a two-match losing streak and a six-match winless streak in MLS.
Kei Kamara’s 144th career MLS goal came in the 83rd minute to break a 1-1 tie and pulled him within one goal of Landon Donovan for second all-time in MLS history. Chris Wondolowski (171) holds the all-time record.
“It’s been a tough run, but for us to get a big win like this on the road, really, it’s good for us,” Kamara said.
Sporting KC have been on a solid run recently to climb back into contention. A 2-2 tie on the road against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday redeemed SKC after conceding a late goal to fall at home to Los Angeles FC last Saturday.
Alan Pulido, who is back in form after missing all of 2022 with a knee injury, scored a pair of goals. His goal on a penalty kick in stoppage time pulled SKC even. Pulido has scored in four straight MLS matches.
“Obviously we’ve missed him,” Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said. “He is, game after game, getting more and more comfortable. I don’t think he’s necessarily hit his stride yet, but he’s getting more and more comfortable. That part is very good and hopefully that continues.”
–Field Level Media
