Sporting Kansas City and Dallas both have routes to the box, and both have recently given opponents repeat chances there. Ajax and AZ should contest the first pass aggressively, with space available behind Ajax's press. San Jose and Salt Lake can each supply wide runners and attack the next ball. Across these matches, the first break matters, but the second supply may decide how each attack lasts.
Sporting can reach Calheira through André Luiz and Davis, as it did in the earlier Dallas meeting and against Austin. Dallas can respond through Job, Kamungo or Johansson toward Musa, while Sporting's recent defensive cover has struggled after an initial clearance. Sporting's Agyabeng played the last match before a new injury; Dallas's Norris and Moore played its last match and are now suspended. That leaves both sides with observed attacking supply and changing support behind it. I expect repeated goalmouth exchanges, so I'm backing goals to keep coming in Sporting Kansas City against FC Dallas.
Ajax's press has yielded chances through Brandt and Arokodare, but Sparta also reached the space behind it and forced ter Stegen into saves. AZ's Patati, Byskov, Daal and Meerdink have already combined without Smit and Hornkamp, while Oufkir played the last game and is now suspended. Goes is back in the squad, with his role still unconfirmed. AZ can collect a second ball through Clasie or Koopmeiners and send its current receivers into Ajax's open side. That's why I'm siding with AZ Alkmaar to stay in the contest.
San Jose's Bouda has supplied crosses and key passes even as Werner's recent dismissal removes another delivery source. Judd and the corner runners made that supply count against Colorado. Salt Lake's Guilavogui scored in its last match and is newly suspended; Luna and Eneli were already absent when its other attackers made chances. RSL can still progress through Sanabria, Marczuk and Solans, but its replacement for the central receiving role has yet to be seen. San Jose have sustained resistance at home and retain a route to the winning touch. That's why I'm siding with San Jose Earthquakes.
