The Bent Musket predicts: Sporting KC at New England

Following their heart-pounding 2-2 draw in Columbus, the Revs return home to take on yet another top-tier club in Sporting Kansas City. New England has earned only one point out of a possible six from home matches against two Cup contenders so far this season (draw vs NYCFC and loss vs FC Dallas).

Can they finally grab all three points at home, this time against Peter Vermes and perennial powerhouse Sporting KC? Our staff tells you exactly what will transpire on Saturday:

Seth Macomber: SKC 3, Revs 1

Comment: Saturday will mark the Revs’ biggest task to date, as they’ll host league-leading Sporting KC. Newcomer Johnny Russell (5 goals, 2 assists) and old friend Roger Espinoza (5 assists) have been dynamic on the attacking front, while goalkeeper Tim Melia has amassed three shutouts. This team will be contenders for MLS Cup (too early?), especially if they grab a proper no. 9 during the summer transfer window. For now, I see them giving the Revs their second consecutive home loss.

Nick Hemming: SKC 2, Revs 1

Comment: Picking against the Revs at home feels unwise, though I’m struggling to envision a scenario that favors New England against a potent Sporting attack. Brad Friedel’s back line has gotten away with middling play for most of 2018, and I’m afraid Johnny Russell and Roger Espinoza will expose the unit on its own turf. The Revs will hang tight for 75 minutes, but SKC’s attack will prove to be too much down the stretch.

Tony Moninski: SKC 2, Revs 2

Comment: SKC is on fire offensively and is facing a Revs’ squad that’s not airtight in the back. Although SKC’s defense hasn’t been as stellar as in years past, it’s still better than that of New England. The Revs just won’t be able to keep up with Johnny Russell and Felipe Gutierrez, the co-leaders in goals scored (5) for Sporting, but they’ll do enough to earn a home draw.

Sean Chase: SKC 2, Revs 3

Comment: Coming off a 6-0 win to the Vancouver Whitecaps, Sporting Kansas City are red-hot, not having lost since their first match of the season. Although SKC has a lethal attacking corps, the Revs have not lost two consecutive home matches in a row since the summer of 2016. There’s question marks surrounding the Revs defense, but I expect the Revs to keep SKC to only two goals. For the Revs offense, Krisztian Nemeth, whether starting or off the bench, will score against his former club to seal the three points at home.

Summary:

NE win: 1

SKC win: 2

Draw: 1

Table

Name Matches Record Points*

Jake 1 1-0 3

Seth 1 1-0 3

Nick 1 0-1 1

Tony 1 0-1 1

* result = 3; score (both teams) = +2; partial score (1 team) = +1; nada = 0

What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the Comments section below!