With two consecutive shutout road wins under their belt, Sporting Kansas City currently occupies second place in the crowded Western Conference standings. That position could change, however, by the time Sporting KC hosts the Portland Timbers on Saturday night at Children's Mercy Park (tickets).
Three Western Conference clubs sitting immediately below Sporting KC in the table will take the field Wednesday for MLS matchups.
The midweek action is highlighted by a nationally televised showdown between fifth-place LAFC (10-7-6, 36 points) and sixth-place Real Salt Lake (10-9-5, 35 points) at Banc of California Stadium, set for 9 p.