Match-ups are all about timing. Earlier this year, when Minnesota United were doing terrible, I was pining for a chance to play them before they got things figured out. Real Salt Lake are no different. They started the season 0-3-2 before head coach Jeff Cassar was abruptly dismissed (technically they were between coaches for one loss and one draw). Since Mike Petke, formerly of the New York Red Bulls and Real Monarchs (USL), took over the reigns, RSL has looked a lot better, going 2-1.
That’s why the timing seems so bad for Sporting Kansas City.