A lot of the talk about Sporting Kansas City is about their forwards and Graham Zusi. It's for good reason too considering how influential all of them have been for the team this season, but through 15 minutes the best player on the field for the home side has been Julio Cesar. The midfielder has gotten forward a few times to create opportunities, but more importantly, with Zusi pushing a little higher than Peter Vermes probably wants, he's had to slide in the middle and be midfield tackler.
Sporting Kansas City Vs. Houston Dynamo Live, MLS Cup Playoffs 2011: Julio Cesar Making His Mark
If Zusi continues to play as high as he is, the onus will really fall on Cesar and Roger Espinoza to do the dirty work. It's a dangerous plan of attack for Sporting because it leaves them vulnerable if just one other player gets forward or out of position, but it looks like that's what they'll be doing. That means Cesar will have to be as good as he's been all match.
For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.
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