Sporting Kansas City-Portland preview

One week after Sporting Kansas City pulled out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers in Kansas City, the two clubs meet again Sunday afternoon at Providence Park in Portland, Ore.

After failing to record a shot on goal in the first half for the first time in six years, Sporting KC (10-10-4, 34 points, fourth in the Western Conference) pelted Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson with five shots on goal in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Jake Peterson scored the lone goal in the 50th minute to give SKC the much-needed three points. Sporting has recorded five straight regular-season shutouts against the reigning MLS Cup champions.

Portland (7-8-8, 29 points) is one spot below the red line in the Western Conference and Sunday gives the team an opportunity to get back into playoff position with a result against SKC.

The Timbers had a nine-game unbeaten from May 22 through July 17 before back-to-back losses to the LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City.

Portland remains dangerous, having scored in all 12 home games this season. It boasts a formidable attacking quartet in Fanendo Adi, who leads the club with 10 goals, Diego Valeri, Lucas Melano and midfielder Darlington Nagbe, a member of the U.S. national team.

Sporting KC has rebounded from a midseason slump, going 5-2-2 since the start of June. Only New York City FC (18) has more points over its last nine league games than Sporting KC's 17. However, SKC is saddled with a nine-game road winless streak. The club won its first two away matches, but has gone 0-6-3 since and scored just four goals during that time.

SKC again will be short-handed as defender Matt Besler (MCL strain), midfielder Justin Mapp (calf strain) and goalkeeper Tim Melia (back spasm) recover from injuries. Brad Davis (calf strain), Paulo Nagamura (quad strain) and Graham Zusi (hamstring strain) are listed as questionable after missing last weekend's match.