Sporting KC learns next phase of 2020 schedule as MLS unveils looming round of games

On the eve of Major League Soccer’s final weekend of games in “phase one” of return to play, the league announced Friday its next round of games through the end of September.

Following Sporting Kansas City’s home game against Minnesota on Sunday, the team will kick off phase two with a home fixture against FC Dallas. That will be followed by a home game against Orlando City before traveling to Colorado to round out the month.

All three new fixtures will be played in a nine-game span, starting with Dallas on Sept. 19, Orlando on Sept. 23 and Colorado on Sept. 27.

“Not being able to plan out more than the few games that we have is difficult, but that’s just because there are so many different variables and reasons why,” Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said Friday.

“There’s a lot of variables and I know it’s difficult on (MLS’s) end,” he continued. “We’re all trying to deal with it but absolutely we wish it could be all the rest of the games.”

The club also announced with the release of the schedule that it will be upping the capacity of fans allowed in the stadium from 14% to 18% — about 3,300 socially distanced fans.

“I think it proves that the protocols that we put in place are working,” Vermes said. “I said this before, in that environment — when I talk about the stadium and then you talk about the return to play at the place — we want to continue to try to lead in those spaces and make sure we can do it in a safe manner.”

KC most recently played Dallas on Sept. 2, also at Children’s Mercy Park, battling to a 1-1 tie. That game featured Kansas City’s all-homegrown midfield of Gianluca Busio, Felipe Hernandez and Cameron Duke.

Kansas City played to a comfortable tie in that game and should have walked away with three points if not for stalwart defense by Dallas.

And Kansas City may be looking at yet another young midfield this time around, too. Although Gadi Kinda will return after being suspended for the last game against Dallas, Vermes expects that both Roger Espinoza and Ilie Sanchez will not be available for this coming weekend against Minnesota.

With the Dallas game coming just a week later, it will be touch-and-go for the availability of both players.

Designated player Alan Pulido is also in the same boat. Pulido has not appeared in a game since Aug. 29 against Colorado and is not expected to feature against Minnesota.

The fixture against Orlando will be the first between the two this season. Typically a bottom-feeder, Orlando has enjoyed an impressive start to the season. It currently sits 4th in the Eastern Conference and also made it to the MLS is Back Tournament final before falling to the Portland Timbers 2-1.

The Lions have been led by former Manchester United star Nani, but have also seen impressive performances this season from 2020 MLS SuperDraft fifth overall pick Daryl Dike and 2018 MLS SuperDraft sixth overall pick Chris Mueller. The trio has 11 goals and six assists between them this season.

But it all starts at the top for Orlando with new head coach Oscar Pareja. Pareja coached the Rapids and Dallas between 2012 and 2018 and also played against Vermes in their playing days.

“I have a lot of respect for him, you can tell his imprint has been adopted by the team and he has a lot to do with it. He demands a lot, “ Vermes said. “His staff is pretty much the same staff that he had at Dallas when he was there and he always does a really good job with those guys. It’ll be good to play a different opponent but I think they’re a very solid team and they’re playing well.”

The final game will be Kansas City’s third matchup against the Colorado Rapids this season.

The previous two features have seen a total of three red cards. The first two came for the Rapids in KC’s 3-2 win in the MLS is Back Tournament group stage, while the third went to KC’s Kinda in a 1-1 tie on Aug. 29.

Those two games were a mixed bag for Kansas City. The first game saw KC win on a 91st-minute winner from Graham Zusi but saw Colorado tie the game at 2-2 despite being at a two-man disadvantage.

The second game, which took place in Colorado, saw KC play to a comfortable 1-1 road tie despite being a man down due to Kinda’s red card. That game also saw two early injuries for Kansas City which forced a tired KC team to battle through much of the second half on the back foot.

But before phase two gets started, Kansas City must first concentrate on Minnesota United Sunday. The Loons will be bolstered by new signing Emanuel Reynoso who joined Minnesota from Argentine side Boca Juniors on Sept. 1

Vermes has since had discussions with Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath about what the Argentine midfielder will bring to the table.

“He’s a very experienced player that can control the game for them,” Vermes said. “He’s not only good in the buildup but he’s very good in regards to passes, the final pass, keeping possession for his team, makes really good decisions of when they should slow it down and speed it up.”

Kickoff for the third meeting between the two teams this season is set for 7:30 p.m. at Children’s Mercy Park.

This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 1:59 PM with the headline "Sporting KC learns next phase of 2020 schedule as MLS unveils looming round of games."