But for Sporting, the feeling of a play-off game is nothing new.
After going winless in their first 10 games this season (0W-7L-3D), they faced desperation in the final stages of each matchday. And with a decisive 3-1 Decision Day victory over Minnesota United FC, they are the best team in the West since May – leading the conference in points (41), wins (12) and goals scored (45) this season.
“We’ve had to scratch, bite, scratch to get back into where we are and I think there’s a level of toughness in the group,” sporting director and football manager Peter Vermes said on Tuesday before playoff football returns to of children. Mercy Park.
“As a group, we’re not all of a sudden thinking that we’re something special. Because we’re not… We’re the same team and we believe in ourselves all the time, and then the final part of it. is that is humble confidence within the group.”