Soccer America senior editor Ridge Mahoney presents his keys to victory for MLS Cup 2000. Chicago and Kansas City are more similar than many people think. Both are a strong mix of experienced veterans and younger players. Both play 3-5-2 as their basic formation, although Kansas City will sometimes show an unbalanced 4-4-2 look when Chris Klein drops back. Both teams are dangerous on set plays and are built on strong defenses that feature a starting rookie on each side. Chicago is more explosive, with Stoitchkov and Nowak capable of tearing through a team at any moment, and Dema Kovalenko and Ante Razov as the finishers. Preki has looked sharp and motivated as he prepares for his biggest game in many years; if he is cutting past tacklers in the attacking third, space will open up for Molnar and Johnston. Offensive keys: Chicago — Support for Nowak’s runs and Stoitchov’s touches, pressure and positioning to blunt Kansas City’s counters. Kansas City — Flank play from midfielders Henderson and Klein has been a vital component all season and McKeon’s runs from midfield catch teams by surprise. Defensive keys: Chicago — The left side must hold firm against Klein’s forays and Preki’s moves. Central defender Bonseu must be in sync with defenders Bocanegra and Brown. Gutierrez and Armas have to run down dribblers and loose balls in midfield. Kansas City — Stoitchkov and Nowak must be contained by good team defense and coordinated movement. Vermes will be busy directing traffic against very mobile attackers that pass the ball smartly. Zavagnin must win balls and close off passing lanes to ease the burden on Garcia. Probable lineups: Chicago — Thornton, Bocanegra, Bonseu, C.J. Brown, Gutierrez, Armas, Marsch, Nowak, Kovalenko, Stoitchov, Razov. Subs: Sorber, Wolff, Soehn, Beasley, Whitfield, George. Doubtful: Kubik. Out: Lewis. Kansas City — Meola, Prideaux, Vermes, Garcia, Henderson, McKeon, Zavagnin, Klein, Preki, Johnston, Molnar. Subs: Johnson, C. Brown, Gomez, Okafor, Dotsenko Figueroa, Byaruhanga, Oshoniyi. Out: Glasgow, Bunbury.