Sporting's record against teams that made the playoffs: 10-4-4. 2 of the losses and 2 of the draws were against Houston. Sporting was 11-4-4 against teams that did not make the playoffs.
That looks to me like Sporting dominates everybody but Houston. I Believe That Will Change.
And really, I don't believe that game day coaching is that important anyway. SKC's system is designed to flow, it isn't doesn't need to be rearranged all the time because it does that anyway.
Houston isn't beating us because Kanear is some genius. Houston is winning because they are a matchup nightmare. They have a top goalkeeper, two above average center backs, they are big and tall, great on set pieces (both offense and defense), and they foul the shit out of everybody - but are generally cagey enough to get away with it. They play on a small field that is literally built to keep us from playing our game of width. And they have two pretty damn good goal poachers that can counter attack.
But they are getting older (minus Bruin), SKC is getting better (because of Vermes).
One piece away.
Only one team can win, I'd take SKC vs. any of the teams in the playoffs but Houston. That is a pretty good start.