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Competition: MLS Regular Season Date: Sunday 28th October Venue: Children’s Mercy Park Kick-Off: 20:30 GMT
Match Preview
The regular MLS season comes to a close this weekend and a huge clash is taking place at the top of the Western Conference, as Sporting Kansas City host Los Angeles FC with the conference title on the line.
Unbeaten since the start of September, Kansas City hold a two-point lead over LAFC and know a draw will be enough to seal the conference title and a bye to the semi-finals of the playoffs, as defeat could see FC Dallas leapfrog them in the standings.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, need a win to secure the title in their maiden MLS season. Entering the match level on points with FC Dallas and just one ahead of the Seattle Sounders, a defeat or a draw could see LAFC slip out of the conference’s top two.
One To Watch: Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC)
The former Arsenal forward boasts an exceptional record in the 2018 season, scoring 13 goals and contributing a further ten assists in 27 MLS matches. Carlos Vela has certainly been the leading man for Bob Bradley’s side this season.
With two goals and three assists in his last two appearances, Vela certainly enters the game in a strong run of form and the 29-year-old could be the decisive figure to carve through a Kansas City side who have conceded just 39 goals this season – the third-best defensive record in the entire MLS.
History & Stats
- The two sides met earlier this season in Los Angeles, where Kansas City came away with a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Gerso Fernandes and Ilie Sanchez.
- Kansas City were the first side to defeat Los Angeles FC at the Banc of California Stadium.
- LAFC have scored 67 goals in MLS this season – only Atlanta United have scored more (69).
- LAFC have only failed to score in 3 MLS matches this season, including their loss to Kansas City in the reverse fixture.
