2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 17
Sporting Kansas City vs. Nashville SC
Children's Mercy Park – Kansas City
October 11 – 7:30 PM ET
STREAMING: FOX Sports App in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada
LOCAL TV: MyTV30, FOX Sports KC
Sporting Kansas City are looking to ride momentum from back-to-back victories when they take on Nashville SC at Children's Mercy Park Sunday night.
SKC (8W-5L-2D) are third in the Western Conference, one point behind the Portland Timbers following a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire, while Nashville (4W-5L-6D) are unbeaten in their last four following a 0-0 draw against Minnesota United, their third consecutive stalemate. The expansion side sits just above the playoff line in the East.
Sporting Kansas City
Winston Reid broke a scoreless deadlock with his first MLS goal in the 67th minute, which followed yet another Tim Melia penalty kick save, denying Robert Beric of a goal in the sixth consecutive game. Melia now tied with Joe Cannon (11) for third all-time in PK saves, with first belonging to recently-retired Real Salt Lake legend Nick Rimando (24) and second going to now-LA Galaxy academy director Kevin Hartman (12).
“Today I was saying he better save it,” Peter Vermes said afterwards. “No, he's very good at the penalty kicks, he's been excellent at it. You know he's got, I don't know what he does, I don't ask him, I leave [him] alone. But, yeah, he realized he made a mistake with the clearance, but you know, sometimes you got to come up big and he did so that was good.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Felipe Gutierrez (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Graham Zusi (D) - undisclosed injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: Alan Pulido (F)
Nashville SC
As the attacking depth looks to recover from injuries, Nashville has locked things down defensively. They've conceded just once during this four-match unbeaten streak and 14 through their first 15 games, on pace to set a new expansion team record for fewest goals against (a record owned by the 2009 Seattle Sounders).
Attacking help could come in the form of Designated Player Jhonder Cadiz, who is available to make his MLS debut.
“He’s (training) with the group, he looks in a good place," Gary Smith told media on a virtual press conference Friday. "I'm pleased to have him around, I think he’s a lift to the group. He’s available for selection, that’s all I’ll say at this point.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Jimmy Medranda (D) - hip injury
- OUT: Ken Tribbett (D) - calf injury
- OUT: David Accam (M) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Dom Badji (M) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Daniel Rios (F) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Anibal Godoy (M) - undisclosed injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Sporting KC
- This is the first all-time meeting between Sporting Kansas City and Nashville SC
Officials
- Referee: Fotis Bazakos
- Assistant Referees: Peter Balciunas, TJ Zablocki
- 4th Official: Nima Saghafi
- VAR: Jon Freemon
