Five Things is a weekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights the top storylines, players to watch and matchday programming ahead of each game throughout the season.
Occupying second place in the Western Conference heading into Week 30, Sporting Kansas City (15-8-6, 51 points) returns to Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday to host fifth-place Real Salt Lake (13-11-6, 45 points) at 4 p.m. CT. A victory would propel Manager Peter Vermes’ men into the MLS Cup Playoffs for a club-record eighth straight year, while anything less could put Sporting KC’s postseason plans on hold for at least another week.