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MLS: Sporting Kansas City on Top while New York Red Bulls Prepares for Huge Derby

You just can’t take your eyes off the MLS! The Western Conference picture is always changing, and the Seattle Sounders are back to their best after routing Portland Timbers 6-2. The Eastern Conference, meanwhile, is more settled. We look ahead to two weekend games — Minnesota United vs Sporting Kansas City and New York Red Bulls vs New York City FC.

Sporting Kansas City Sitting Pretty at the Top

After a 2-1 defeat to Dallas United earlier this month, Kansas have found some form at just the right time. A 2-0 win over the same opponents earlier this month has seen them leapfrog the Sounders into the top spot. Just a point separates Kansas and Sounders; however, Kansas will be encouraged by the manner of their performance against Dallas.

Alan Pulido opened the scoring in the 12th minute to register his eighth league goal of the campaign. Although Dallas came close to equalizing, Daniel Salloi sealed the victory just after the hour mark, when he fired an effort inside the area into the top corner of the net. The victory was the perfect pick-me-up for Kansas, who were knocked out of the Leagues Cup.

Daniel Salloi Making a Serious Case for MVP

Salloi has been exceptional for Sporting Kansas this term, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him named the regular season MVP (Most Valued Player). Currently, Salloi has had 17 goals involvements (11 goals and six assists). He has also weighed in with five match-winners, and his 11 non-penalty goals are the most in the MLS.

Minnesota United have to regroup quickly after LA Galaxy defeat

The games are coming thick and fast in the MLS. Before taking on Kansas City, Minnesota will be looking to pick up maximum points against San José Earthquakes. For Galaxy, it was a smash-and-grab victory as they scored with their only shot on target to arrest Minnesota’s five-match unbeaten streak.

New York City in rich vein of form ahead of New York Red Bulls showdown

New York City are making themselves tough to beat. You only have to look at their sequence of seven games unbeaten, which suggests they are a tough nut to crack. Winning breeds confidence, and they claimed a 2-0 victory over Inter Miami thanks to a double from Valentin Castellanos.

Andrea Pirlo hints at dramatic MLS return

Considered to be one of the finest midfielders to grace the game, Andrea Pirlo — who spent last season coaching Juventus — appears to be plotting his next move. The former New York City midfielder made 60 appearances in a two-year spell for New York, and he could be persuaded to come back to the MLS in a managerial capacity.

Indeed, Pirlo is a big fan of the MLS, and it seems like if the opportunity arises, he wouldn’t hesitate to grab it with both hands. In a recent interview, Pirlo said: “I watch all the teams. I love New York, but I like everything about the MLS.” Watch this space!

As for New York Red Bulls, they are slipping and their chances of qualifying for the playoffs are fading fast. Currently, they are seven points adrift of seventh-placed CF Montreal, and they have hit a real rut. The Red Bulls have lost four of their past five games, and they need to turn things around fast.

New York Red Bulls vs New York City FC: A look back at past encounters

With derbies, form book can go right out the window. In the past 15 MLS encounters between the two sides, it has been fairly matched. The Red Bulls have edged the head-to-head with seven wins, and there have been two draws. In the last meeting, however, New York City cruised to a 5-2 victory.

Castellanos was the star turn, as he scored a hat-trick, while Gary Mackay-Steven, and Alexander Ring also got in on the act. However, when the Red Bulls last hosted New York City a year ago, they clinched a 1-0 win. A similar result could be the spark New York City need to turn around their season.

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