Hot enough for ya?
As most of the eastern half of the North American continent battles through a scorching heat wave, Toronto FC travels to Kansas to play their second match in three days. The Reds are anything but red-hot right now, having won just a single MLS match of the previous 13, a mind-numbing stretch that was the cause of TFC's massive player upheaval a week ago.
The end result is a new look TFC squad with very little familiarity facing a surging side under the intense blanket of mid-July heat. Again.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Just like their match against FC Dallas this past Wednesday, Toronto will be matching up with a team in KC that is firing on all cylinders. The re-branded Sporting Club has not lost a league match since late May, a good run that has coincided with the opening of their new stadium.
However, a quick look at the numbers shows that Kansas City aren't as good a team as Dallas, even at home.
In five matches at Livestrong Sporting Park, KC have two wins and three draws, an okay record that is admittedly far better than their early season road woes. More impressive during that stretch is the fact that Sporting have claimed a couple of convincing away victories.
But KC are playing at home, a venue in which they've rung off two straight 1-1 draws. They've given up a goal in each of their past five matches, so they can be scored upon.
Of course, where the goals are going to come from on Toronto's end is anyone's guess.
Danny Koevermans looks useful, but is clearly not in game shape. Joao Plata needs to re-learn how to beat defenders one v. one. Ryan Johnson is strong on the ball, but has yet to find his scoring touch from a few years ago.
In other words, Toronto's attack -- like their team as a whole -- is a work in progress.
On the Kansas City end of things, they are also integrating a designated player into their ranks. Recently-signed Jeferson, a 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder on loan from Vasco da Gama, will be looked to provide service to KC's other DP Omar Bravo. Bravo has performed well for Sporting thus far, leading the team's attack and effective usurping Teal Bunbury's starting job.
How Jeferson integrates, and how Toronto can handle the KC attack in the stifling heat, will be a big storyline in a match not lacking in them.
Sporting Kansas City v. Toronto FC
Saturday, July 23, 2011. 8:30pm EDT.
Livestrong Sporting Park. Kansas City, KS.
Watch: GolTV Canada, MLS MatchDay Live
Listen: Fan590.com
Rudi Schuller occasionally contributes Toronto FC and Canadian national team content to the 24th Minute. He manages the Euro File here at Canadian Soccer News, and is MLSsoccer.com's beat writer for all things concerning Canada's men's national teams. Follow Rudi on Twitter, @RudiSchuller.