Youngest and Oldest Goal Scorers for Kansas City

Another stats update, this time the youngest and oldest goal scorers for Kansas City.

In league play, two players joined the list, Jimmy Medranda and Diego Rubio. Medranda in his first season as a regular contributor for the first team scored from his left back position with a deflected shot in KC's 3-1 win over New York City FC. Rubio joined the list in his first season in KC. His time with the first team was limited due to Dom DWyer's continual strong play at the center forward position and then an ACL tear late in the season. There's still time for the likes of Daniel Salloi and Erik Palmer-Brown to join the list for KC as could new addition Latif Blessing.

1. Soony Saad - 19 years, 0 days - 8/17/2011 vs Portland
2. Yura Movsisyan - 19 years, 293 days - 4/25/2007 vs Toronto
3. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 56 days - 9/1/2012 vs Toronto
4. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 137 days - 7/14/2010 vs Columbus
5. Francisco Gomez - 20 years, 146 days - 6/20/1999 vs New York
6. Michael Harrington - 21 years,  80 days - 4/14/2007 vs DC
7. Scott Vermillion - 21 years, 243 days - 8/23/1998 vs Miami
8. Roger Espinoza - 21 years, 266 days - 7/17/2008 vs Columbus
9. Ryan Pore - 21 years, 344 days - 9/3/2005 vs New York
10. Eddie Johnson - 22 years, 1 day - 4/1/2006 vs Columbus
11. Chris Brown - 22 years, 31 days - 4/10/1999 vs San Jose
12. CJ Sapong - 22 years, 82 days - 3/19/2011 vs Chivas
13. Jimmy Medranda - 22 years, 154 days - 7/10/2016 Vs NYCFC
14. Jose Burciaga - 22 years, 223 days - 6/26/2004 vs San Jose
15. Matt McKeon - 22 years, 240 days - 5/22/1997 vs Columbus
16. Matt Taylor - 22 years, 246 days - 6/19/2004 vs New England
17. Vicente Figueroa - 22 years, 299 days - 8/16/2000 vs San Jose
18. Diego Rubio - 22 years, 348 days - 4/27/2016 vs Vancouver
19. Davy Arnaud - 22 years, 350 days - 6/7/2003 vs New York
20. Dom Dwyer - 23 years, 4 days - 8/3/2013 vs New York

In all competitions, Medranda also joined the list, coming in at 16th place on that list. Rubio didn't make it, but two other players did for their goals in KC's meaningless CONCACAF Champions League game against Central FC. Swope Park Rangers and former Sporting KC academy player, Nansel Selbol, on loan to Sporting KC scored the second goal of the game for KC, what proved to be the game winner. He became the second youngest player to ever score for KC in a game, behind only Soony Saad. In his final appearance for Sporting KC, Connor Hallisey also joined the list, scoring on a penalty kick for his first and only goal for the club putting him on the list.

1. Soony Saad - 19 years, 0 days - 8/17/2011 vs Portland
2. Nansel Selbol - 19 years, 141 days - 10/19/2016 vs Central FC
3. Yura Movsisyan - 19 years, 293 days - 4/25/2007 vs Toronto
4. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 45 days - 4/13/2010 vs Colorado
5. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 56 days - 9/1/2012 vs Toronto
6. Francisco Gomez - 20 years, 146 days - 6/20/1999 vs New York
7. Michael Harrington - 21 years,  80 days - 4/14/2007 vs DC
8. Scott Vermillion - 21 years, 243 days - 8/23/1998 vs Miami
9. Roger Espinoza - 21 years, 266 days - 7/17/2008 vs Columbus
10. Ryan Pore - 21 years, 344 days - 9/3/2005 vs New York
11. Justin Detter - 21 years, 363 days - 8/4/2004 vs Dallas
12. Eddie Johnson - 22 years, 1 day - 4/1/2006 vs Columbus
13. Matt McKeon - 22 years, 2 days - 9/26/1996 vs Dallas
14. Chris Brown - 22 years, 31 days - 4/10/1999 vs San Jose
15. CJ Sapong - 22 years, 82 days - 3/19/2011 vs Chivas
16. Jimmy Medranda - 22 years, 154 days - 7/10/2016 vs NYCFC
17T. Jose Burciaga - 22 years, 223 days - 6/26/2004 vs San Jose
17T. Rauwshan McKenzie - 22 years, 223 days - 6/30/2009 vs Minnesota
19. Matt Taylor - 22 years, 246 days - 6/19/2004 vs New England
20. Connor Hallisey - 22 years, 253 days - 10/19/2016 vs Central FC

For the oldest scorers for Sporting KC, two players joined the list in 2016 with another moving up the list. Brad Davis jumped onto the list in his only season in KC, coming in fourth overall behind only Preki, Mo Johnston, and Claudio Lopez. Further down the list, the returning Lawrence Olum joined the list coming in at 15th. Further down, Benny Feilhaber moved up from 19th to 17th on the list in 2016. Both Olum and Feilhaber will have the chance to move further up the list in 2016.

1. Preki - 42 years, 113 days - 10/15/2005 vs Dallas
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 5 days - 4/18/2001 vs Miami
3. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 vs DC
4. Brad Davis - 34 years, 175 days - 5/1/2016 vs LA
5. Paul Rideout - 34 years, 2 days - 8/16/1998 vs Columbus
6. Julio Cesar - 33 years, 211 days - 6/16/2012 vs Toronto
7. Josh Wolff - 33 years, 209 days - 9/22/2010 vs Houston
8. Jimmy Conrad - 33 years, 197 days - 8/28/2010 vs LA
9. Peter Vermes - 33 years, 188 days - 5/27/2000 vs Tampa
10. Kerry Zavagnin - 33 years, 27 days - 7/29/2007 vs Chivas USA
11. Mark Santel - 33  years, 24 days - 7/29/2001 vs New England
12. Roy Lassiter - 33 years, 183 days - 9/8/2001 vs San Jose
13. Paulo Nagamura - 32 years, 166 days - 8/15/2015 vs Vancouver
14. Alex Bunbury - 32 years, 57 days - 8/14/1999 vs New York
15. Lawrence Olum - 31 years, 345 days - 6/19/2016 vs Dallas
16. Diego Gutierrez - 31 years, 320 days - 9/18/2004 vs San Jose
17. Benny Feilhaber - 31 years, 278 days - 10/23/2016 vs San Jose
18. Birahim Diop - 31 years, 258 days - 10/23/2010 vs San Jose
19. Santiago Hirsig - 31 years, 247 days - 9/16/2009 vs Dallas
20. Omar Bravo - 31 years, 204 days - 9/23/2011 vs Philadelphia

In all competitions the same movement happened for all players with Davis in at fourth, Olum at 15th and Feilhaber at 17.

1. Preki - 42 years, 113 days - 10/15/2005 vs Dallas
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 5 days - 4/18/2001 vs Miami
3. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 vs DC
4. Brad Davis - 34 years, 234 days - 6/29/2016 vs Houston
5. Paul Rideout - 34 years, 2 days - 8/16/1998 vs Columbus
6. Julio Cesar - 33 years, 211 days - 6/16/2012 vs Toronto
7. Josh Wolff - 33 years, 209 days - 9/22/2010 vs Houston
8. Jimmy Conrad - 33 years, 197 days - 8/28/2010 vs LA
9. Peter Vermes - 33 years, 188 days - 5/27/2000 vs Tampa
10. Kerry Zavagnin - 33 years, 27 days - 7/29/2007 vs Chivas USA
11. Mark Santel - 33  years, 24 days - 7/29/2001 vs New England
12. Roy Lassiter - 32 years, 222 days - 10/17/2001 vs Barcelona
13. Paulo Nagamura - 32 years, 166 days - 8/15/2015 vs Vancouver
14. Alex Bunbury - 32 years, 57 days - 8/14/1999 vs New York
15. Lawrence Olum - 31 years, 345 days - 6/19/2016 vs Dallas
16. Diego Gutierrez - 31 years, 320 days - 9/18/2004 vs San Jose
17. Benny Feilhaber - 31 years, 278 days - 10/23/2016 vs San Jose
18. Birahim Diop - 31 years, 258 days - 10/23/2010 vs San Jose
19. Santiago Hirsig - 31 years, 247 days - 9/16/2009 vs Dallas
20. Mike Burns - 31 years, 245 days - 3/16/2001 vs W Connection

Sporting Bow Out of the CCL

The result wasn't much of a surprise given the lineup that both Sporting Kansas City and the Vancouver Whitecaps put out on Tuesday night at Children's Mercy Park, but Sporting KC's elimination from the 2016-2017 CCL after a 2-1 loss to the Whitecaps still stung. It didn't help that the inevitable had to wait through a 120 minute weather delay due to weather passing through the Kansas City area, turning an announced crowd of 13,422 to maybe 1,500 by the end of the game.

Sporting actually started the game fairly brightly with a number of chances that went just wide or high of the goal from all three of their forwards, as Connor Hallisey hit a looping volley over the bar onto the top of the night, then Diego Rubio laced a shot just wide of the far post after some dancing on the ball near the corner of the box, then Cameron Porter flicked a low cross just wide of the near post as he raced in. Unfortunately KC couldn't get any of their early efforts on goal and the Whitecaps worked themselves into the game more forcing some saves out of Tim Melia before the game was delayed in the 35th minute. After the two hour delay the remaining 10 minutes of the first half were all the Whitecaps as they came out the stronger side and pressed Sporting. They were rewarded for the pressure in the 41st when Alphonso Davies worked a give and go with Nicolas Mezquida before playing a nice cross into the middle where Erik Hurtado had gotten in front of Tyler Pasher and he slid the ball into the net putting the Whitecaps on top.

Sporting came out much better after an abbreviated half time, which was sparked by the insertion of Kris Tyrpak for Cameron Porter. Tyrpak immediately brought a spark and created a few chances early on with his pace and beating Marcel de Jong on the dribble. Just minutes after coming on he worked a give and go with Paulo Nagamura, but scuffed his shot on the return pass. Sporting KC's equalizer came 10 minutes into the second half down their right side as Seth Sinovic got up field and laid a ball back to Rubio. The Chilean had a poor first touch, but regained control and eventually got himself an inch of space that allowed him to fired a shot that bounced off the inside of the far post and into the net to tie the game at 1-1. Vancouver came right back and almost found the net themselves as Fraser Aird got played in behind the KC defense, but one-on-one with Tim Melia, Melia made a save with his foot, then jumped up to collect the rebound, keeping the game tied. Both sides continued to create some chances, many of KC's coming through Trypak and Rubio, mainly down KC's right side. Vancouver got more of their chances coming through the 15 year old Davies, who gave Sporting KC all kinds of trouble wherever Davies ended up on the field. Late on it looked like KC would have to settle for a draw and elimination when Connor Hallisey made a nice run into the box, cutting past his defender before playing a low cross towards the back post, but goalkeeper Spencer Richey got down well and palmed the ball back towards Hallisey. The Sporting winger though had gotten tangled with a Vancouver player after crossing and didn't get back to his feet fast enough to collect the ball. Unfortunately things came a part for KC at the end of the game as they pushed for a winner on tired legs and got caught out. Davies got himself some space one-on-one with Ualefi and fired a shot that deflected off the Sporting KC defensive midfielder's back side, wrong footing Melia and the ball sailed into the net giving the Whitecaps the 2-1 lead and the win as minutes later the final whistle blew.

Wizards Man of the Match - Kris Tyrpak - The former Chivas USA man was a big spark for Sporting KC off the bench in his first game with the club on loan after impressing with the Swope Park Rangers in the USL this season. He showed an ability to beat guys on the dribble and showed pace that KC really hadn't gotten out of Porter in the first half.

Player Ratings - Melia 5, Pasher 5, Opara 4, Didic 4, Myers 3, Ualefi 4, Nagamura 5, Appiah 3, Porter 3, Rubio 5, Hallisey 4. Subs Sinovic 4, Tyrpak 5.

Dynamo End Sporting's Cup Defense

After it looked like Sporting Kansas City just might be turning a corner, after a big win over FC Dallas at home and a good draw on the road with Montreal, Sporting KC fell back into the form that the team has been in most of this season, falling 3-1 on he road to the Houston Dynamo ending their defense of the US Open Cup.

Houston started out quickly and grabbed the lead in only the seventh minute as some work down Kansas City's right side allowed Abdoulie Mansally to get wide open on the wing where he crossed the ball in to Mauro Manotas who beat Alec Kann to give the Dynamo the early lead. The Dynamo continued the early pressure and easily could have put the game away in the first half but some missed opportunities by Manotas and Cristian Maidana kept Kansas City in the game. After a water break in the 30th minute Kansas City came out and finally started to get involved in the game. Diego Rubio forced a good save from Joe Willis on cross into the box, while Roger Espinoza forced turnovers in the Dynamo end with some high pressure. Sporting though was unable to find a goal in those final 15 minutes and went into the half down a goal.

In the second half the Dynamo came out again and looked the more aggressive side. That aggression paid off as Manotas forced a good save out of Kann for a corner. Off the ensuing corner though KC couldn't clear the ball as it went to the back post, where it was headed back into the middle for Alex who just got enough on it to direct it past Kann and into the net to double Houston's lead. From there Kansas City picked up their play and started to come into the game more as Houston sat back trying to kill the game off. Sporting found some chances and in the 61st minute found a way back into the game. Rubio did well cutting into the box and getting some space on his defender sliding a ball across where Brad Davis stepped in front of his defender and tapped the ball home to make it 2-1. Kansas City continued the pressure from there looking to find an equalizer but the Houston defense stepped up and was able to shut down Sporting's attack. Late on it became apparent that KC's chasing the game had taken a toll on them as they were unable to get the ball out of their own end, and the Dynamo took advantage. In the 84th minute Manotas was played in behind the KC defense again and beat Kann for his second goal of the night. The Dynamo continued to pressure and almost added a fourth late on but had to settle for advancing easily over a listless Sporting side.

Wizards Man of the Match - Diego Rubio - Did a great job setting up Kansas City's loan goal of the night with some good dribbling and was a threat when KC was able to get the ball up to him, which as has been the story of the season, was not nearly enough.

Player Ratings - Kann 3, Medranda 4, Olum 2, Besler 3, Ellis 3, Mustivar 4, Feilhaber 4, Espinoza 5, Hallisey 3, Rubio 5, Zusi 2. Subs Davis 4, Dwyer 2.

Sporting Extend Rubio Loan

Right as Sporting KC was getting ready to kick off against the Houston Dynamo the Sam McDowell with the KC Star reported that according to Diego Rubio's agent Kansas City was extending the Chilean's loan with the club through December of this year. After the game tonight, Peter Vermes confirmed that the club had locked him up through December. The forward has played just 183 league minutes and scored one goal while appearing in both of Kansas City's US Open Cup games, starting tonight adding a second goal to his total.

Honestly this was a move that I didn't think KC would make about a month ago, I figured that KC would move on and start over with another back up striker this summer. Vermes though looks like he's going to stick with Rubio for the rest of the season. Based on KC's past history with summer signings this doesn't seem like a bad move, as Vermes usually seems hesitant to push summer signings to contribute early, and with KC's busy August, Vermes doesn't have that luxury this season.

That move locked up that can't be the only move that KC makes when the summer transfer window opens on July 3rd, KC has to look to improve their offense in this window. The winter signings of Brad Davis and Justin Mapp have not paid off at the level that KC needs for them to be successful. While Davis has scored two league goals, and added another in the US Open Cup, he's yet to record a single assist for Sporting KC since signing with the club in his 14 games played, the longest stretch for him dating back to 2010 (which is as far back as stats on MLS's website goes). With Mapp, the veteran has only been on the field twice, for less than 30 total minutes, the pair have not been able to pick up the slack in goal production that KC lost when selling Krisztian Nemeth. While Dwyer has scored eight goals on the season the rest of the team is more like KC's 2014 season, except without Dwyer setting team records. KC needs to improve their offense further in this summer's transfer window or KC is going to be in a bad spot come August.

S.A.S. Thursday After Stats

Peter Vermes coached his 270th game in all competitions, tying him with Bob Gansler for the most games coached for Kansas City.

In the 119th minute, Benny Feilhaber hit 10,000 minutes in all competitions for his Sporting KC career.

Feilhaber's goal was his 11th for KC away from home in all competitions, tying him with Kei Kamara and Graham Zusi for 8th all time on that list.

Chance Myers made his 171st appearance in all competitions, breaking his tie with Michael Harrington for 11th on that list.

Roger Espinoza made his 165th appearance in all competitions for KC, tying him with Josh Wolff for 14th all time on that list.

Diego Rubio's goal was the 1000th goal scored in a KC game in all competitions away from KC.

Survive and Advance

Knock out competitions aren't about looking good or necessarily being the better team, knock out competitions are all about surviving and advancing to the next round. Tonight in Minnesota, Sporting KC did just that, surviving a very physical game with Minnesota United, at game that saw 42 fouls, a shoving match, two penalty kicks awarded, and 11 yellow cards (surprisingly no reds), to advance 2-1 after extra time thanks to a goal by Diego Rubio.

After a slow start for Sporting Kansas City, where Minnesota had much of the early play, Kansas City stepped up and started to take over the game in the first half. They couldn't create much in the way of chances, but held the ball for over 60% of the first half. There was really only one really dangerous chance for either side in the first half and that fell to Dom Dwyer in the 20th minute. Jimmy Medranda played an excellent curled ball into the box that sailed over the defenders to Dwyer. Dwyer had an excellent first touch to bring the ball down and set up his shot, but couldn't beat United goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock who had come quickly off his line. United's best chance came later in the half as a cross from KC's right went past the goal to the back post for Danny Cruz who was surprised that the ball made it past both Ike Opara and Medranda and landed at his feet, and the winger couldn't get much of a touch on it to bring the ball down.

The second half once again saw Minnesota come out with some early aggression and had a good opportunity on a free kick outside the box but defender Damion Lowe was offside on a ball played over the top, Sporting goalkeeper Alec Kann still made the save though as Lowe tried to score. KC started to build possession again, and unlike the first half started to get Benny Feilhaber more involved in the attacking half of the field, a switch from the first half when he mainly played right in front of the center backs. Feilhaber was able to create some more space with his passing, but it was another player's dribbling that finally set up the first goal of the game. In the 62nd minute Medranda received the ball about 40 yards from goal and to the left, he proceeded to beat four Minnesota defenders getting just wide of the box before playing a cross into Dwyer. Dwyer brought the ball down, turned and fired a shot that hit a Minnesota defender's hand leading to a penalty kick for Kansas City. Feilhaber stepped up and while Ndjock guessed right, Feilhaber slotted the ball into the corner to put KC in front and score the team's first goal in over 280 minutes of game play. After the goal though Minnesota really started to take the game over, pinning KC back in their own end, not allowing them to get forward. The pressure caused the KC defense to make some mistakes but Minnesota was unable to capitalize. Finally in the 79th minute they were able to as Cruz received the ball out wide and dribbled at Medranda taking him on. The Colombian went for a tackle, missing the ball and taking Cruz out leading to another penalty. Upon replay it looked like the contact of the foul started outside the box, but the penalty was awarded and Christian Ramirez was able to slot the ball into the corner as Kann guessed right to tie the game at 1-1. Minnesota continued to pressure late but could not find a winner sending the game to extra time.

Extra time saw both teams control the game for periods of time but fail to find the final ball. The first period's best chance fell to Minnesota after some very good one touch passing down the wing and into the middle JC Banks chested the ball into the path of Ramirez and only a great sliding tackle by Ike Opara kept the United forward from scoring. KC was able to test Ndjock a little, but not with real clear chances. Heading into the second period of extra time, Peter Vermes inserted his young designated player, Diego Rubio, who has struggled for playing time while on loan. Rubio's insertion paid almost immediate dividends as a Medranda shot was spilled by Ndjock right in front of goal where Rubio pounced, but was offside and had the goal called back. Minutes later though Rubio would find the net as Feilhaber led a quick break for KC getting space and slotted a ball through to Rubio into the box. The Chilean had time to look up and fire a shot past Ndjock and into the net. Over the final 10 minutes Minnesota threw everything at Kansas City but couldn't find a way through. Their best chance came in the 120th minute on a long ball over the top that Kann came for weakly looking to get a foul. He missed the ball and the header was flicked on towards goal but rolled just wide of the post keeping KC in front. Shortly after the final whistle blew and KC advanced to the next round where they'll find their opponent for June 29th out tomorrow.

Wizards Man of the Match - Ike Opara & Lawrence Olum - Did an excellent job of containing Christian Ramirez all night. United's leading scorer was kept in check by Kansas City's center back pairing for a good portion of the game.

Player Ratings - Kann 5, Medranda 6, Opara 8, Olum 8, Abdul-Salaam 7, Mustivar 6, Espinoza 6, Feilhaber 6, Hallisey 4, Dwyer 5, Peterson 4. Subs Davis 5, Myers 5, Rubio 6.

S.A.S. Thursday After Stats

In the first minute, Matt Besler moved past Chris Klein and into sole possession of 6th place for minutes played in league play for KC, he finished the game with 16,471 minutes played.

Besler made his 183rd league start for KC, tying him with Klein for 6th all time on that list.

At 22 years, 348 days, Diego Rubio became the 17th youngest goal scorer in Sporting KC's history, he knocked Chris Klein out of the top 20.

Alec Kann made his Sporting KC debut.

In the 9th minute, Roger Espinoza moved past Chance Myers and into 17th place for league minutes played for KC, Espinoza finished the game wtih 10,447 minutes played.

Sporting End Losing Streak, but Can't Top 10 Man Vancouver

Making four changes from the team that lost on the weekend against the San Jose Earthquakes, Sporting Kansas City ended their three game losing streak getting a 1-1 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place last night. Peter Vermes inserted Connor Hallisey, Diego Rubio, and Jimmy Medranda up top while Alec Kann replaced Tim Melia in net. All four showed well when given the chance to start, but neither they nor the trio of Brad Davis, Dom Dwyer, and Graham Zusi, who all came on as subs could find a winning goal despite being a man up for almost 40 minutes after Kendall Waston was sent off for picking up two yellow cards on fouls against Rubio.

Vancouver started the game out on the front foot, taking the game to Kansas City winning a couple early corners. On the first one Waston found himself open in the box, but his shot was cleared away for a second corner for the Whitecaps. Unfortunately on the second corner, KC again didn't mark up well enough and Cristian Techera found Christian Bolanos unmarked, Bolanos hit a side volley while moving away from goal that beat Kann and gave the Whitecaps the lead after just 14 minutes. After the goal though Kansas City slowly started to get into the game more, pressuring the Vancouver back line and causing some trouble Benny Feilhaber played in some good free kicks that no Sporting player could get on the end of while Medranda and Hallisey were causing problems on the wing. The pressure was rewarded with an equalizer in the 27th minute. Lawrence Olum took a weak shot from outside the box but Rubio, who was on the shoulder of the last man raced onto it as it went towards goal and pushed it past David Ousted and into the net to tie the game at 1-1. KC continued to push the game after the goal and almost took the lead minutes later as the ball was played to Medranda at the top of the box who fired a low shot back across goal but Oustad did well to get down and slow the shot down and then grab the rebound. The Whitecaps countered and Vancouver forward Masato Kudo forced a save out of Kann. That was actually the last shot that the Whitecaps would officially record in the entire game. KC didn't fare much better, but did have the better of the play, keeping Vancouver in their end for much of the rest of the half.

KC continued the pressure in the second half, and that pressure led to Waston's sending off in the 51st minute. Rubio raced to try to get an errant back pass that was going between Waston and Oustad. Rubio beat the pair to the ball and touched it towards the end line. As he did that, Waston raised his leg and caught Rubio in the calf, knocking the Chilean over. With the man advantage, Vermes started to throw on more regular starters, first inserting Dom Dwyer for Rubio, then inserting Brad Davis for Hallisey, and Graham Zusi for Medranda as the final sub. Unfortunately for Kansas City they couldn't really do much with the man advantage. With only 10 players, the Whitecaps clogged the middle of the field and especially the box area keeping Kansas City from getting any clear looks on goal. For their part though Kansas City didn't take many shots of their own either. Even with all the traffic in front of goal, you would think that KC would at least attempt more shots and hope for a deflection to carry a shot past Oustad, but instead KC continued to pass around looking for a clear shot at goal that never came. Crosses were cut out by Oustad or the Vancouver defense before they reached their intended target and KC was forced wide with almost every ball. Before the game most fans would have probably taken a point out of the game, but after spending 39 minutes up a man (now 133 on the season) and not being able to take full points is disappointing.

Wizards Man of the Match - Diego Rubio - Rubio was a thorn in Waston's side for the 51 minutes he was on the field. He caused problems for the Costa Rican leading to the red card. Also did a good job of not just watching the Olum shot slowly roll to Oustad, instead jumping it for his first goal.

Player Ratings - Kann 6, Dia 4, Coelho 7, Besler 5, Abdul-Salaam 5, Olum 5, Espinoza 6, Feilhaber 6, Hallisey 6, Rubio 7, Medranda 7. Subs Dwyer 5, Davis 4, Zusi 4.

Sporting Announce Rubio Loan Deal

Sporting KC today made official the news that came out last week during the media event at No Other Pub, that the club had acquired Chilean striker, Diego Rubio as a young designated player. The updated information on the move is that Rubio will be on loan to Sporting from Spanish club, Real Valladolid. Rubio has appeared 14 times for the club so far this season in Spain where the club sits in mid-table in the country's second division.

The loan is only through the end of June, and contains an option for Sporting KC to purchase his contract outright. It's interesting that the loan is only through June 30, but in a way it also makes sense if Valladolid really wants to move him, their primary window in the summer is a much better market for them. So KC will be on a short time window of deciding if they want to keep the Chilean. Of course it could work out like the Philadelphia Union's deal with Fernardo Aristeguieta, who was loaned for only a couple months, but ended up having it extended for the whole MLS season.

As a whole though, I like the idea of a loan move for Rubio, and has the option to purchase if KC is that interested and if he does well. It's a move with a smaller risk, because if he doesn't impress you aren't stuck with him on a designated player contract for an extended period of time. Similar to when KC brought Jeferson in near mid-season of the 2011 season, KC will get to try before they buy.

Rubio has had some success scoring; he's produced 37 goals and 15 assists in his professional career so far with six different clubs. He's seemed to struggle to get continuous time with the clubs he's signed for. It also appears that he may have left his original professional club in Chile, Colo Colo too early for the bright lights of Europe. Still, he has had some success and has even earned some call ups to the Chilean national team.

His addition will provide Dom Dwyer with some support, and will probably at least give the illusion that there is the chance of a goal coming from the bench if need be, something KC didn't have last year.

Sporting KC Signing Chilean Diego Rubio as a Young DP

Robb Heineman and Peter Vermes have been talking about the club signing a new young forward to help with the load up top for Kansas City. Today reports started coming out of Spain that Kansas City was negotiating to bring in Chilean forward, Diego Rubio from Real Valladolid. Tonight, Heineman confirmed the signing was coming in the next day or so and later in the evening Sam McDowell from the KC Star confirmed the reports from Spain that KC was signing Rubio. According to McDowell, the 22 year old Rubio will be a young designated player.

Rubio will be joining KC after just signing for Valladolid in the past year, appearing 13 times for the club since signing in August. Before that Rubio had been on the books at Sporting Club de Portugal. He'd been with the club since 2011, but had only appeared in 11 games for the first team. Instead he'd spent most of his time with Sporting B and out on loan. Rubio had joined Sporting from Colo Colo in Chile where he'd made his debut shortly before turning 18. Rubio has earned three caps for his native Chile, beginning in 2011 when he was just 18 years old.

Since Rubio is 23 or under, he will qualify as a young designated player. This means that Rubio will cost only $200,000 against the cap instead of the $436,250 that it costs for a DP who is over the age of 23. Watching some highlights of him he looks a lot like Dom Dwyer in terms of his style of play. On the surface it certainly looks like a move that fits a big need for KC.