Three-minute preview: Sporting Kansas City at Houston Dynamo

▪ WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston

▪ TV/RADIO: KMCI TV (Ch. 38); WHB (810 AM), KDTD (1340 AM)

▪ ABOUT SPORTING KC (2-2-3, 9 points): A final-minute loss against the LA Galaxy ended Sporting KC’s four-match unbeaten streak last week — and it offered the first glimpse this season into life without defender Ike Opara. Kevin Ellis held his own at center back while replacing Opara, likely earning another start this week. Left fullback Seth Sinovic is questionable for the match, while defender Marcel de Jong is likely to play.

▪ ABOUT HOUSTON (2-2-3, 9 points): The Dynamo have allowed only 0.57 goals per game this season — the best mark in MLS. Houston has given up only one goal in four home matches. Goalkeeper Tyler Deric leads MLS in saves with 27.

▪ BOTTOM LINE: The two teams have formed a rivalry after meeting in the playoffs for three straight seasons from 2011-13. Sporting KC has lost only one of its past seven games against Houston, and it’s posted four straight shutouts in Houston.

▪ PREDICTION: Sporting KC 1, Houston 1

This story was originally published April 24, 2015 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Three-minute preview: Sporting Kansas City at Houston Dynamo."