D.C. United looks to play spoiler in last game against Sporting Kansas City

D.C. United may officially be out of playoff contention, but Sporting Kansas City don’t expect anything less than their best shot on Saturday at RFK Stadium at 7:30pm.

If anything, the match will represent a sort of reversal of fortunes just two years after Kansas City eliminated United from playoff contention on the final weekend of the regular season in a drama-filled match at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Should D.C. United draw or take all three points, Sporting’s dreams of finishing at the top of the Eastern Conference will be severely damaged, putting home-field advantage during the playoffs and an impressive worst-to-first storyline in danger.

Though United may not play all of their starters, leading MVP candidate Dwayne De Rosario is trying to keep hold of a tenuous lead at the top of the league's scoring chart with 16 goals.

“I think De Rosario is probably going to play because he wants to win the Golden Boot,” Vermes said. “I think he’ll play. Other guys I’m not so sure of.”

The match will also see the return of two local players to the D.C. area, Kansas City's CJ Sapong (PWSI/James Madison) and Graham Zusi (U. of Maryland). Sapong was the No 10 draft pick in 2011 and scored his first professional goal after two minutes of playing. Zusi helped Maryland win the national championship in 2005 and 2008, scoring the winning goal in the 2008 semifinal and championship game.

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