When Sporting Kansas City stepped on the field in the first leg against Monterrey, they knew it would be a tough challenge. While Liga MX teams do not have a salary cap, not all of them spend as lavishly as Monterey does. A conservative estimate is that Monterrey’s roster is at least four times the cost compared to Sporting KC.
Sporting KC is a deep team, with talent across the board but—at least in their first meeting—the Liga MX giant ran over the MLS side. Sporting Kansas City started well, moving the ball, working towards a threatening position, but then a quick turnover, a goal, and the beginning of the end.