Against a lower division side, Sporting KC was expected to take care of their business last night in the US Open Cup, and they did just that. A 3-0 win over USL-Pro side, Dayton Dutch Lions, and Sporting advanced to their first US Open Cup semifinals since 2004 when the team won the trophy. With the win, KC earned a return trip to Philadelphia on July 11th to face the Union, who defeated Harrisburg 5-2 to advance as well.
KC got off to a dream start thanks to Seth Sinovic, but the goal will be credited to CJ Sapong. A long throw by Jacob Peterson was partially cleared to Peterson, who took a volley and had that shot deflected back wide. Sinvoic picked up the ball and he too took a rip from 25 yards out. Sinovic's shot deflected off of Sapong and went towards the opposite corner of the goal, leaving Dayton goalkeeper, Matt Williams wrong footed as Sporting went up 1-0. Sporting KC continued to dictate the early play in the game and probably should have gone up 2-0 a few times. Lawrence Olum had two chances to put on in off of a long through, the first, his downward header was cleared, but only partially. On the second effort, Olum let the ball run through his legs to try and back heal it, but couldn't make contact with the ball because of the pace.
The early goal forced the Dutch Lions to have to come out more instead of bunkering in, and to their credit held some decent possession and created some decent half chances. Their really dangerous chances though ended up being ruled out due to offside calls. And while Dayton was trying to get back in the game, Sporting continued to create chances themselves. Graham Zusi almost caught Dayton's keeper off his line late in the half, but Zusi's effort from just on his own side of the midfield line sailed just over the bar. In first half stoppage time, KC's best chance to go up 2-0 went off the post. Sapong did some good passing with Zusi and Peterson to free Peterson in behind the Dayton defense, but Peterson put his shot off the post and the ball bounced out of play.
In the second half, KC continued to control play and hold the ball mainly in the Dayton end of the field. Finally in the 56th minute, KC got their second. After a good string of passing, Zusi found himself with a few feet of space just outside the box and let fly with a shot that sailed into the corner leaving Williams with no chance as Sporting went up 2-0. They made it 3-0 only a few minutes later. With Zusi subbing out for Roger Espinoza, Soony Saad stepped up to take a corner kick and placed it right at the 6 for Sapong to run onto and head in his second goal of the night to make it 3-0.
With the comfortable lead in place, KC took a much more possession oriented approach over the last 30 minutes of the game. They created some chances, but after going up 3 they looked content to just see the game out. At the other end of the field, Dayton wasn't providing a whole lot going forward, as Jimmy Nielsen didn't have to record an official save as Dayton again had a good chance where Nielsen did make a save ruled out due to an offside call. In the end, Sporting did the job it set out to do, winning 3-0 and advancing to the US Open Cup semifinals.
Wizards Man of the Match - CJ Sapong - Two more goals for the reigning rookie of the year. The first he probably didn't know a ton about as Sinovic's shot deflected off of him, but the second was a nice header off the Saad corner. Sapong also almost set up Peterson for a goal but the effort went off the post.
Honorable Mention - Lawrence Olum
Player Ratings - Nielsen 7, Harrington 6, Olum 8, Besler 7, Sinovic 7, Thomas 7, Zusi 7, Joseph 7, Saad 7, Sapong 8, Peterson 8. Subs Espinoza 7, Warzycha 6, Bunbury 6.
Showing posts with label Dayton Dutch Lions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dayton Dutch Lions. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
270 Minutes
I feel like we've been in this situation before. 270 minutes away from a championship for Sporting KC and facing a team from a lower division, sound familiar? It should, last year, KC was 270 minutes away when they met up with the Richmond Kickers at the quarterfinals. KC controlled the game, but couldn't find the net and after a weather delay, Sporting KC fell 2-0 ending their Open Cup run short. This year KC is in the same position, playing another USL-Pro side, this time, the Dayton Dutch Lions.
While Dayton has won their 3 US Open Cup games so far, beating two PDL sides (Chicago Fire PDL and Michigan Bucks) and one MLS side (Columbus), they have struggled in league play. Dayton is 1-7-5 in league play though, winning their first league game of the season this past weekend. While Sporting KC was losing 4-0 at Philadelphia, the Dutch Lions were beating the Wilmington Hammerheads 4-0 in league play. Forward Eli Garner scored 2 of Dayton's goals in the win. He's also their leading scorer currently in the Open Cup with two as well.
Sporting KC has decisions to make with their lineup, this is their 4th game in 11 days, and they have a 5th in 14 on Friday when they play Chicago. Peter Vermes will likely have to make a few changes to the lineup in preparations for the busy league schedule. Eric Kronberg could be set to make his first start of the season after missing the majority of the season so far with injury. But Vermes could decide to play Jimmy Nielsen since he'll have to use one of his international slots on the Dane. Matt Besler also looks set to make his return to the Sporting KC team, at a time when KC's defense could really some support after the 4-0 beating. The question is if Aurelien Collin or Lawrence Olum will make way for Besler to come back in. I think that Collin is the one that needs the break as he's seemed to be a little off the last few games. I expect that Michael Thomas and Peterson Joseph could also make returns to the starting lineup as well.
Number to remember - 270 - The reason for this number has already been stated.
Key Match Up - Sporting KC Defense vs Dayton attack - KC's defense allowed 4 goals on the weekend, while the Dayton offense scored 4. The Sporting KC defense needs to get their act together, and shutting down an attack that is coming in off a high is a tough ask.
PREDICTION - The good news is that KC got the let down result out of the way before this game against Dayton. The 4-0 loss to the Union on Saturday may be the wake up call for KC that helps them avoid the banana peel that is this game. Vermes said after the Union game that the team "just weren't ready for the game. That's my fault and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
I truly believe him when he says that. And because of that quote, part of me things that KC is going to come out and destroy Dayton tomorrow. But with the congested schedule and the game against Chicago on Friday, KC may sit back a little bit, but they should still be able to take care of business.
SKC - 2 (Saad, Peterson)
DDL - 0
While Dayton has won their 3 US Open Cup games so far, beating two PDL sides (Chicago Fire PDL and Michigan Bucks) and one MLS side (Columbus), they have struggled in league play. Dayton is 1-7-5 in league play though, winning their first league game of the season this past weekend. While Sporting KC was losing 4-0 at Philadelphia, the Dutch Lions were beating the Wilmington Hammerheads 4-0 in league play. Forward Eli Garner scored 2 of Dayton's goals in the win. He's also their leading scorer currently in the Open Cup with two as well.
Sporting KC has decisions to make with their lineup, this is their 4th game in 11 days, and they have a 5th in 14 on Friday when they play Chicago. Peter Vermes will likely have to make a few changes to the lineup in preparations for the busy league schedule. Eric Kronberg could be set to make his first start of the season after missing the majority of the season so far with injury. But Vermes could decide to play Jimmy Nielsen since he'll have to use one of his international slots on the Dane. Matt Besler also looks set to make his return to the Sporting KC team, at a time when KC's defense could really some support after the 4-0 beating. The question is if Aurelien Collin or Lawrence Olum will make way for Besler to come back in. I think that Collin is the one that needs the break as he's seemed to be a little off the last few games. I expect that Michael Thomas and Peterson Joseph could also make returns to the starting lineup as well.
Kronberg
Myers - Olum - Besler - Harrington
Thomas - Espinoza
Joseph
Peterson - Saad - Sapong
Number to remember - 270 - The reason for this number has already been stated.
Key Match Up - Sporting KC Defense vs Dayton attack - KC's defense allowed 4 goals on the weekend, while the Dayton offense scored 4. The Sporting KC defense needs to get their act together, and shutting down an attack that is coming in off a high is a tough ask.
PREDICTION - The good news is that KC got the let down result out of the way before this game against Dayton. The 4-0 loss to the Union on Saturday may be the wake up call for KC that helps them avoid the banana peel that is this game. Vermes said after the Union game that the team "just weren't ready for the game. That's my fault and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
I truly believe him when he says that. And because of that quote, part of me things that KC is going to come out and destroy Dayton tomorrow. But with the congested schedule and the game against Chicago on Friday, KC may sit back a little bit, but they should still be able to take care of business.
SKC - 2 (Saad, Peterson)
DDL - 0
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Espinoza, the Open Cup, and a Double Header
photo courtesy of Jarred Donalson
Catching up on some news that was announced today regarding Sporting Kansas City.
Espinoza Named to Olympic Team
Honduras named their team for this summer's Olympics in London. Sporting KC midfielder, Roger Espinoza has been named as one of the team's 3 overage players. Honduras is grouped with Spain, Morocco, and Japan. The three group games are July 26th vs Morocco at Hampden Park in Glasgow, July 29th vs Spain at St. James Park in Newcastle, and then on August 1st vs Japan at City of Coventry Stadium in Coventry. Should Honduras advance all the way to the medal round they'd also have games on August 4th, 7th, and 10th or 11th.
During that same stretch, Kansas City has games on July 28th against Columbus, the August 1st friendly vs Stoke City, August 4th at New England, and August 11th vs DC. Should KC also make the US Open Cup final, Espinoza could also miss the final on August 7th or 8th. Depending on when he has to report he could also miss the July 24th game vs Montpellier and the July 21st game vs New England. In all Espinoza could miss about 4 league games, and the US Open Cup final if Honduras get into the knock out rounds and KC qualifies.
I couldn't be happier for Espinoza to get to represent his country in the Olympics especially after also representing them in the World Cup. But he's been one of KC's best players this season and will be a tough hole to fill for Sporting.
US Open Cup Semifinal Draw Announced
Today US Soccer announced the draw for the semifinals of the US Open Cup. Starting in the semifinals, US Soccer went back to the blind bid process that had been present in previous years of the tournament. Should Sporting KC defeat the Dayton Dutch Lions this coming Tuesday they will play the winner of Philadelphia and Harrisburg. If Philadelphia wins, then KC is actually going on the road for the semifinals, as the Union out bid Sporting to host the semifinal. If Harrisburg pulls their third upset of an MLS side, then KC would host the City Islanders at Livestrong Sporting Park.
It's a little surprising that KC was out bid for the semifinals, I would have expected the only team that would have out bid KC was Seattle. But maybe KC is holding off on a big bid for the semifinals in preparation for a big bid for the finals should KC make it to the finals.
Game in New England Now a Double Header
New England made an announcement today that involves KC's trip to the Northeast on August 4th. KC vs New England on that date will now have an "under card". I put that in quotes because the under card is likely to bring out more fans than the game itself. The under card, that kicks off at 4:30 EST, will see AC Milan take on Brazilian club Cruzeiro on the turf at Gillette Stadium. There's been no change to the start time of Sporting's game though, there will just potentially be more fans in the stands at Gillette that hang around for the game between KC and New England.
Saturday, June 02, 2012
Sporting KC Could Host US Open Cup Quarterfinals
US Soccer just released the draw for the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup. If Sporting Kansas City defeat the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday in the 4th round of the US Open Cup, they will once again host in the quarterfinals. Kansas City would host the quarterfinals on June 26th against either the Michigan Bucks or the Dayton Dutch Lions. The Bucks, of the PDL defeated the Chicago Fire in the last round, while the Lions, or the USL-Pro division, defeated the Columbus Crew in their match up. Those two teams meet in Rochester, Michigan this Tuesday for a chance to travel to either Kansas City or Colorado.
A quarterfinal match up would be a good match up for KC. While you definitely don't want to underestimate the lower division side, the quarterfinal match up would come 2 days after Sporting KC completes a grueling stretch of games that see them play at home on the 16th, in Seattle on the 20th, and in Philadelphia on the 23rd. A very congested stretch for Kansas City.
The important thing for KC though is to avoid what happened last year in the quarterfinals, when Kansas City lost to the Richmond Kickers. The draw would also seem to set up for a semifinal match up against New York/Harrisburg/DC/Philadelphia should KC make it that far.
A quarterfinal match up would be a good match up for KC. While you definitely don't want to underestimate the lower division side, the quarterfinal match up would come 2 days after Sporting KC completes a grueling stretch of games that see them play at home on the 16th, in Seattle on the 20th, and in Philadelphia on the 23rd. A very congested stretch for Kansas City.
The important thing for KC though is to avoid what happened last year in the quarterfinals, when Kansas City lost to the Richmond Kickers. The draw would also seem to set up for a semifinal match up against New York/Harrisburg/DC/Philadelphia should KC make it that far.
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