Preview: Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City - prediction, team news, lineups

Dallas fell to the Colorado Rapids last time out, while the visitors, despite being eliminated from post-season contention, narrowly beat the Seattle Sounders.

Match preview

Dallas have already secured their place in the MLS playoffs, but they will be eager to end a run of three games without a win.

Last time out, Diego Rubio scored in the 66th minute to lift the Colorado Rapids to a 1-0 victory over Nico Estevez's men.

Prior to that, Dallas were on the receiving end of a comprehensive 3-0 defeat versus Mexican side Tigres in a friendly match at the Toyota Stadium.

The draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on September 18 makes it three successive games without a win for the Burn, but Estevez's side have lost just three times at home this season.

Despite the poor run of results, Dallas remain third in the Western Conference, and a draw here would see them remain there.

However, defeat would open the door for LA Galaxy and Nashville to usurp them, and potentially force them to play their first playoff game on the road.

The visitors, meanwhile, have saved their best for last, and are unbeaten in their last seven MLS outings.

Unfortunately, for Peter Vermes's side it will not be enough to get over the post-season line this year, but it will certainly give the long-time head coach plenty of encouragement heading into the 2023 season.

William Agada's first-half strike gave Kansas City the win over Seattle last time out - denying the Sounders a post-season spot of their own - making it three consecutive victories since the Wizards' 0-0 draw with Houston Dynamo on September 11.

In the two games before the triumph over the Sounders, Kansas City outscored their previous two opponents - DC United and Minnesota United - by a margin of 7-1.

2022 will only be the second time historically that the club have ever missed the playoffs since adopting the Sporting Kansas City moniker.

Dallas Major League Soccer form:

L

D

W

W

D

L

Sporting Kansas City Major League Soccer form:

W

D

D

W

W

W

Team News

Facundo Quignon made his first MLS start against Colorado since he suffered an adductor injury in late July, so he could retain his place in the starting lineup here.

Alan Velasco (right quad), Bernard Kamungo (right ankle) and Tsiki Ntsabeleng (left ankle) are all expected to miss the final game of the regular season due to injury.

Franco Jara's fitness remains questionable as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

The visitors will travel without Tim Melia and Ozzie Cisneros due to hamstring injuries, while Gadi Kinda and Alan Pulido will both be absent from the game due to knee injuries.

Graham Zusi returned against Seattle after suffering a quad injury, while Logan Ndenbe is questionable due to health and safety protocols.

William Agada's winner against Seattle made it eight goals for him since the start of August, so he looks certain to retain his place up front.

Dallas possible starting lineup:

Paes; Nanu, Antonio, Burgess, Farfan; Lletget, Quignon, Pomykal; Obrian, Ferreira, ElMedkhar

Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:

Pulskamp; Zusi, Isimat-Mirin, Fontas, Sweat; Espinoza, Walter, Thommy; Russell, Agada, Salloi

We say: Dallas 1-1 Sporting Kansas City

Kansas City come into this game in the much better form and, due to having already missed out on a playoff place, are playing with much more freedom.

Previews by email