As I sat watching the Kansas City Chiefs play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the “big game” last Sunday evening, I sensed a similarity to Sporting Kansas City. Here were the AFC West (and AFC, of course) Champions – with all their swagger – in a massive game, getting swamped as their weaknesses (perhaps game-specific, injury-catalyzed ones) were exploited again and again. The offensive line bullied. The defense, though stout in moments, overran… consistently. The attacking weapons rendered dull.
Sound somewhat like Sporting KC, circa 2018 and 2020? The Portland Timbers putting three on the hosting regular season Western Conference champions Sporting in the second leg of the Western Conference finals… Minnesota United doing the very same thing (along with shutting out an injury-depleted Sporting attack) to much greater effect in the West semifinal?