Our prediction for this MLS match:
Real Salt Lake will look to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United when they take on Sporting Kansas City on Monday. The Royals failed to win the previous four league fixtures, and, no doubt, they are likely to go all guns blazing at Sporting. Both Cordova and Loffelsend are pushing for a start, while all Bobby Wood, Damir Kreilach, and Zack Farnsworth remain in the recovery room.
The Wizards, on the other hand, have been having their ups and downs of late, with the team losing to New York Red Bulls, beating Montreal, while sharing the spoils with Minnesota United. Anyhow, we are tempted to put our money on the Royals as they want this win more than the Wizards. As for the visiting side, all Kortne Thompson-Ford, Nikola Vujnovic, Ozzie Cisneros, Gadi Kinda, and Alan Pulido are out of contention with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Justin Meram):
Over the years Justin Meram has established himself as one of the best Iraqi footballers. The centre forward, who is capable of playing as a winger as well, was born in Shelby Charter Township, Michigan on December 4, 1988, but he represents Iraq on the international stage.
During his college career Justin Meram played for the likes of Yavapai Roughriders and Michigan Wolverines and in 2011 he joined MLS club Columbus Crew. Meram scored 37 goals in 188 appearances for the club in MLS before signing a deal with Orlando City in January, 2018.
The Iraq international made his debut for the Lions in a 1-1 draw with DC United on March 4 and he scored his first goal for the club on May 14 in a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United. As for his international career, Justin Meram made his Iraq debut in November, 2014 in a 1-0 defeat to Kuwait. The Orlando City attacker wears the number 9 shirt.
Highlighted Team (Sporting Kansas City):
Sporting Kansas City have been competing in Major League Soccer since 1996 and they won their first MLS Cup trophy in 2000. The club faced Chicago Fire at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington in the play-offs final and Miklos Jon Molnar scored the winner for Bob Gansler’s team. 13 years later Sporting Kansas City met with Solt Lake in the title game and they were fortunate to defeat the Royals on penalties.
The Wizards welcome their rivals at Children’s Mercy Park, but they used to play some games at Blue Valley Sports Complex, Julian Field, Hermann Stadium and Durwood Soccer Stadium in the past as well. Sporting Kansas City were founded in 1995 and the club’s original name was Kansas City Wiz.
The Wizards wear navy blue shirts and dark blue shorts when playing at home, while the colour of their away kit is blue. Former Wigan Athletic man Roger Espinosa is regarded as one of the club’s most notable players and he has been playing for the Children’s Mercy Park outfit since 2015.