Sporting KC blending in youth as they meet Dynamo

Most clubs try to weave new players into their lineups slowly and in non-pressure situations. Not so for Sporting Kansas City and manager Peter Vermes.

SKC will host the Houston Dynamo on Tuesday at Children's Mercy Park.

Sporting KC (5-1-0, 15 points) stands atop the Western Conference table despite bringing in a cadre of youthful players, and Vermes doesn't plan to slow down that process.

"Our home-grown players have taken a big step this year," Vermes said. "A lot of times people throw in young players when they're up 3-nil, but I threw them out there because I knew that they were going to work."

The young players have made an impact in helping SKC tie for the MLS lead with 15 goals. Midfielder Gianluca Busio is just 18, but he's in his fourth season with the club. He did not appear in 2017 though he was on the roster. He appeared in seven, then 22 games the next two seasons. So far, Busio has appeared in all six matches in 2020.

Defender Jaylin Lindsey is 20 and his third season with the club. He started his first match of 2020 in SKC's 2-1 victory at Minnesota United Aug. 21. He recorded an assist.

With Tuesday's match against Houston being the second of five matches in a 16-day span, SKC will need the young legs to continue to produce.

"There's no doubt that managing personnel is going to be an important thing," Vermes said.

As well as things have gone for Sporting so far in 2020, it's been the opposite for Houston (0-2-4, four points). Included among their six matches was a 4-0 loss before the shutdown.

They went 0-2-1 in the MLS Is Back Tournament, and are coming off a 0-0 draw at home against Dallas Aug. 21. The biggest problem has been offense, as the Dynamo have scored a total of six goals in their six matches.

"I think we did exactly what we wanted to do which was take possession away from them," Houston coach Tab Ramos said. "Overall, I have to say I'm happy with the team. (There's) not much more I can ask of them."

--Field Level Media