KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Lingering thoughts after Sunday’s 0-0 result between the Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City should come down to one, generalized question: How is Thursday’s rematch going to be different?
After all, it has to be different; at least, it has to be if we’re going to avoid another scoreless stalemate. As the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Championship shifts to Kansas from Oregon (6:30pm PT, ESPN | Match presented by Oregon Lottery), Sporting may like their chances of breakthrough, now enjoying the advantages of their home field. But the Timbers may see the first 90 minutes as indicative of a matchup that leans slightly in their direction, leaving any difference between legs one and two more likely to favor the Green and Gold.