Fire, Sporting KC hungry for success at midway point

Two clubs in nearly identical spots will square off Saturday night in Kansas City, Kan., with a chance to improve their standing.

The Chicago Fire (4-6-8, 20 points) will face Sporting Kansas City (5-9-6, 21 points) in a matchup of two sides just below the playoff line in their respective conferences.

Sporting KC are in slightly better shape, sitting in a tie for 10th in the Western Conference, with two other clubs just