Timbers-Sporting KC preview

Two clubs battling for playoff position in the tight Western Conference take to the pitch for a playoff rematch on Sunday at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City.

Sporting Kansas City (9-10-4, 31 points, tied for fourth place) hosts the defending MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers (7-7-8, 29 points, seventh).

Sunday marks the first match between the clubs since Portland eliminated Sporting in the Knockout Round in the 2015 MLS Playoffs.

Portland advanced on an MLS record 11-round penalty shootout that came down to the goalkeepers attempting to score. Portland's Adam Kwarasey converted and Sporting KC's Tim Melia did not.

The home team has struggled recently in the series. The home side in the series is winless in seven straight games across all competitions, including the 2-2 draw in last year's playoffs.

The clubs have both heated things up recently.

Sporting has recorded four straight home wins. The club has scored three goals in three straight regular-season home games for the first time in franchise history, including a 3-0 whitewash of Seattle last Sunday. Sporting held Seattle to an MLS record-tying one shot attempt.

The Timbers had a nine-match unbeaten string snapped last weekend, but they have climbed back into playoff contention. They have struggled on the road all season, going 0-4-6 away from home in 2016 and haven't won a road game since defeating Columbus Crew SC in the 2015 MLS Cup.

Scoring chances are both the answer and the problem for Portland. The Timbers are third in goals scored (33) and second worst in goals allowed (33) in the Western Conference.

SKC manager Peter Vermes will seek his 100th regular-season coaching win on Sunday, against a team that has failed to score on Sporting KC in the last four regular season meetings.

Portland is stuck in a 392-minute dry spell in the series dating to April 2013, with Sporting KC claiming two wins and two draws during the stretch.