Two clubs desperate to get back into the postseason picture meet Saturday when Sporting Kansas City visit Real Salt Lake in Sandy, Utah.

Salt Lake (9-14-4, 31 points) is four points behind the San Jose Earthquakes for the final Western Conference wild-card slot. The situation is even more dire for Sporting Kansas City (7-16-6, 27 points), who may need just about the maximum 15 points from their final five matches.

Kansas City is 1-6-1 with 21 goals allowed over its last eight matches. SKC's 59 goals conceded are the most of any team in MLS.

"In this game, in this league, you get punished when you shut off for a second," Kansas City defender Khiry Shelton said. "We've had too many games where ... a second here, a second there, and then we get scored on."

This shaky defense will meet a s

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