Preview: Here's how Orlando City SC beats Sporting Kansas City
• William Agada leads the Kansas City attack
• Teams will favor similar formations
Sporting Kansas City looks forward to taking on Orlando City SC when MLS action reopens soon.
Orlando City SC has dug into its offensive success by resigning forward Duncan McGwire. Meanwhile, upcoming opponent Sporting Kansas City has prepared for the upcoming MLS match by adding a defender and coaching up a forward.
Both teams will be favoring 4-3-3 schemes. Orlando City SC will frequently shift to the defensive scheme of that formation, as reported by one scouting concern. Sporting Kansas City most frequently goes into the offensive variation of the formation, reported by the same scouting concern. But expect Kansas City players to match Orlando this time.
Orlando City has had a good time with the 4-3-3 and its variations. Over the past eight games in the Leagues Cup and MLS competitions, the team posted a record 6-1-1. They forsook the 4-3-3 for a Double-6 only once in that span.
Sporting Kansas City hasn’t quite had the success of Orlando with the formation, but it’s the best they have for their personnel. They are 5-3-0 across three competitions – MLS, Leagues Cup, and U.S. Open Cup.
They recently added a Spanish defender in Joaquin Fernandez. He has La Liga experience, including FC Barcelona. His career spans 12 years and 300 appearances. But he’s a wild card in MLS so far off the bench.
But the devil Kansas City knows is striker William Agada, who will start in center for the opponents. He’s second in MLS in expected goals per 90 minutes with .78. He’s also second in non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes, .73. Together his total expected goals of 4.54 ranks him sixth.
Yet, Agada has a glaring weakness of failing in defensive contribution. This is where Orlando City’s use of the formation is to their advantage.
Focusing on the defensive scheme, as Orlando midfielders do their job entering the attacking areas of the pitch, they will open passing lanes for the forwards. Then as they pick areas and create chances, the forwards and other players in position will take them.
Sporting Kansas City has the ideas necessary to give Orlando City SC problems. But with their top offensive player unable to help defensively, the advantage goes to Orlando.
Lions for the win.