Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

Sporting Kansas City will have to gamble at the back when they take the field on Friday night.

Peter Vermes’ decimated side will face one of the fiercest attacks in MLS when they face Toronto FC at Sporting Park (8:30 p.m., MLS Direct Kick/MLS Live/TSN). Sporting KC are already without Matt Besler, Graham Zusi, and Lawrence Olum due to international duty while defenders Aurelien Collin (hamstring) and Erik Palmer-Brown (suspension) are also unavailable.

The injuries and international departures have forced Vermes to play Chance Myers and Kevin Ellis at centerback.

TFC forward Jermain Defoe is surely chomping at the bit to hit the field as well as his strike partner Gilberto, who is still looking for his first goal in MLS. Bradley Orr keeps his place as a holding midfielder, allowing Kyle Bekker to step into the Michael Bradley role. Joe Bendik makes his second MLS start this season on Friday as well with Julio Cesar in Brazil.

If you will be watching tonight’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.