KANSAS CITY – The final game of group play will take place for Sporting Kansas City as they take on Deportivo Toluca F.C. on Monday, Aug 5. This game is a battle for the top of the table as each team has secured their spot in the knockout stage. Sitting at the top of the table is extremely important as it helps teams get a higher seed so they can play lower seeds and it helps them hopefully play more home games.
Toluca and Sporting KC have a little bit of history, and this game could be the rubber match many fans have been waiting for. In 2019, the two teams faced off in the Concacaf Champions League. They played one leg in KC and one leg in Mexico. Sporting KC won this matchup 5-0. Last year, SKC and Toluca faced off in the round of sixteen in Leagues Cup. Toluca won that match 4-1.
So, each team has had its share of convincing victories. We will be in for a massive treat tonight. Toluca and SKC each beat the Chicago Fire in their first group game. Each team allowed a goal but controlled the majority of the game for the most part. SKC has been in great form lately with Willy Agada scoring six goals in six games and a total of eleven on the season.
Toluca’s form has been pretty good themselves. So far in Liga MX, in their first four games played, Toluca has won two games and tied two games. Their ties come from their game against, top of the table, Cruz Azul, and Chivas de Guadalajara. So, not bad.
According to Peter Vermes in yesterday’s pre-match press conference, this is the first time this season EVERY player on the Sporting KC roster is available. Jake Davis and John Pulskamp are back from the Olympics. Russell and Pulido seem to be back in business, and Logan Ndemebe made his first matchday roster for 2024 last Sunday. In the post-match press conference on Sunday, Vermes said that we should see Ndmebe make it into the game against Toluca at some point.
Toluca is very healthy as well. It helps big time that this tournament is towards the start of their season so teams haven’t had much wear and tear. No injuries were reported ahead of the match.
The winner of this game will play the winner of group 8, this will most likely be Real Salt Lake as they sit in first place and face off against Houston. Salt Lake has looked phenomenal this year so Houston would be going for the upset. The loser of Toluca v SKC will be forced to play the Columbus Crew. Really a tough draw all things considered here for the group. The only difference is getting to host the next round.
So, the history between the two clubs, the top priority of seeding on the line, each team playing in good form, and no injuries for either side, means this game will be one for the books. The game kicks off at 8 PM CT in Kansas City and is free to watch on Apple TV.
