Coming off its first back-to-back defeats, Sporting Kansas City is eager to get back on track.
A visit from Chivas USA could help coach Peter Vermes' club do just that.
Hoping to avoid matching its longest losing streak from all of last season, Sporting KC tries to continue its home domination of Chivas USA when these clubs square off Sunday.
After its string of five consecutive clean sheets was snapped with a 2-0 loss at two-time defending champion Los Angeles on April 20, Kansas City (4-3-2) allowed its most goals this season last Saturday in a 3-2 loss to Portland. Chance Myers, the No. 1 pick in the 2008 SuperDraft, provided all the offense with his first two career goals for Sporting KC, which dropped to 7-1-3 over its last 11 home games dating to last season.
The club hasn't lost three straight since April 21-May 12, 2012.
"There are no excuses. We've just got to be better," Myers said. "We gave up a set piece goal, which we usually don't do. And we got caught on the counter at home, which we usually don't do. We'll go back to the drawing board because we've got a big game (this) weekend against Chivas."
Despite its recent efforts, Kansas City is allowing just 0.89 goals per game. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise to Chivas (3-3-2), which has been outscored 7-3 during an 0-3-1 stretch in the series.
Chivas has had an especially rough time in Kansas City, where it's compiled a 1-5-2 record.
"Obviously, every time we go into a game, we want to win," forward Tristan Bowen told the team's official website. "Taking three points at Kansas City is not going to be easy, but we're looking forward to taking some points and bringing them back with us. Everyone is here for a reason - anybody can win on any given day."
Chivas had suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats before playing to a 2-all draw versus San Jose last Saturday. Mario De Luna and Tristan Bowen scored while Dan Kennedy made five saves.
"We were able stay together defensively. We were able to be very attentive to what their forwards were doing and fortunately we came away with a point." De Luna said. "The result doesn't leave a bad taste in our mouth. We wanted the win, but a point is good going into (this) week."
Near the bottom of the league with 1.38 goals allowed per game, Chivas could get a boost from defender Bobby Burling, who's expected to be available after serving a one-game suspension for receiving his fifth yellow card in Week 8.
"Any time you watch your team from the stands, it's difficult because obviously you want to be out there to help them," he said. "I used the time to recharge and refocus again."
Chivas has allowed 21 goals in going 1-6-4 over its last 11 road matches dating to August.
