D.C. United vs. Sporting Kansas City predictions: Can DC take advantage of the depleted Sporks?

As we've documented in this space, Sporting Kansas City has basically owned our beloved D.C. United these last four years. If that winless streak against the Sporks is ever going to end, we might not have a much better chance than Saturday night, when KC comes to town missing Graham Zusi and Matt Besler to World Cup duty and several others to injury. Here's how the B&RU staff think the game will go down. Take to the comments below to share your own predictions.

Ben Bromley

After beating the Houston Dynamo, it is time for D.C. United to get a win against another long-standing nemesis. At home, with Sporting Kansas City's makeshift back line, I will predict at 2-1 win for the good guys.

Ryan Bacic

The visitors' toothless D shouldn't be much of a problem for an en-fuego Espindola and a United offense that had a full week's rest after a disappointing loss in Foxboro. Stopping Dwyer will be a challenge, but I think DCU still outscores SKC handily in a 3-1 win.

Ryan Keefer

Last week, it was D.C.'s turn to lose after playing midweek, this week, they get to enjoy the fruits from it, though I imagine it may not be as smooth a ride as we hope. 2-1 DC, with an unsurprised eye if they share the points.

BlasianSays

I thought the Kansas City defense would be clown shoes with so many absences, but they held the potent Metros attack fairly well. Presuming that Juliao will be playing at right back, there will be opportunities for Eddie Johnson to drift into that space when Juliao gets forward. Keeping the ball on the ground will be important, because Aurelien Collin is in the back to win every ball in the air. There will be goals, and I think United end up sharing the points. 2-2.

Adam M Taylor

2-1 to the Black-and-Red, as an EJ brace beats out an Aurelien Collin set piece goal. It won't be pretty as the Sporks press high to start the night, but United will take advantage of their tiring legs through the second half, leaving Peter Vermes to curse his side's midweek match.

Touchline

Dwyer does look dangerous at times - but I noticed he's got a little bit of the Pajoy extra step in some of his attacks. DCU will have very few excuses if they don't dominate Sporting KC. The men in black prevail, 2-1.

stephen.whiting

This is the defining game for the month of May for D.C. United. Win, and fans will think it was a solid month. Draw, and the month was "meh" at best. Lose, and the month was a disappointment for a playoff contending team. Despite the ability of MLS to knock a team down just when they are feeling good about themselves (witness the last three weeks for Sporting), I predict a 2-1 win for the Black-and-Red with goals by EJ and Espindola.

blazindw

With the team back at full strength, we see a nice rebound from last week's loss in front of the home crowd. 2-1 DCU with goals from Espindola and the Boz after SKC goes down to 10 men in the 2nd half.

Your turn. Let us know in the comments how you think things will play out come kickoff.