KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The last time Sporting Kansas City met Seattle, Sporting administered a thumping that ended Sigi Schmid's long run as the Sounders' manager.
The Seattle team waiting in the Knockout Round of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs bears little resemblance to the one that stumbled to a 3-0 loss at Children's Mercy Park on July 24 and were swept in two matches by Sporting this season.
Oh, the names on the kits are the same – mostly the same, that is, with one big midseason acquisition and one medical casualty since Schmid was replaced by interim manager Brian Schmetzer.