Controversy Takes Center Stage, But Finishing Haunts KC in Playoff Loss

For the third straight year, Sporting Kansas City bowed out of the playoffs at the first hurdle, losing 1-0 on the road to the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference wild card round. It was a return to old nightmares for Kansas City fans as the Sounders scored another late goal to lift them to the win over KC. The goal, and game as a whole was not without controversy as Seattle's game winning goal scorer, Nelson Valdez was shown to be offside. Meanwhile earlier in the game on a much tighter call Matt Besler had a goal (rightly) ruled out due to an offside call. Trying not to be a story in the game, referee Ismael Elfath and his assistants became a story of the game as well for fouls and cards not given.

For all the refereeing issues though, Sporting's struggles to find the back of the net cost them just as much as they controlled the play and couldn't capitalize on the chances that they created. KC started the game flying, pinning the Sounders back in their own end with high pressure. Capitalizing on the mistakes, KC created a number of chances for themselves, but were denied by Stefan Frei or the post. A couple of those chances fell to Paulo Nagamura who was playing as high as Benny Feilhaber much of the game. Both times Frei made a diving save to deny Nagamura. The second time the rebound fell to Graham Zusi who fired a shot to the far post, but the ball hit the post and bounced back into play. After the early run by KC, Seattle started to come into the game more and were able to pin Kansas City back in their end, some good footwork along the end line after a corner almost allowed Nicolas Lodeiro to create an own goal. Collecting a pass out wide he cut inside on the KC defense, dribbled along the end line and hit a shot off Matt Besler that wrong-footed Tim Melia, but the KC goalkeeper was able to stop the ball with his foot and recover. KC had another effort that Nagamura cleared off the line, but was called back on a foul by Chad Marshall, but Seattle was certainly in control of the match for the middle of the first half.

The half then turned again though as KC took over again for the final portion of the half. KC continued to create chances and forced another good save out of Frei during this stretch as a Benny Feilhaber free kick was flicked on goal by Kevin Ellis but Frei made a diving save to tip the ball away and keep the game scoreless as the teams headed into the break.

The second half saw Kansas City continue to be the more aggressive side as they tried to capitalize on all their play. For a split second they thought they had in the 52nd minute when Besler headed a free kick past Frei and into the net but Besler was slightly ahead of the last defender and was correctly ruled offside. Seattle had their chances too as Roman Torres missed the goal by inches on a Seattle free kick as Melia scrambled across his goal to cover the far post where Torres had made his run.

The chippiness of the game reached a tipping point around the 70th minute when Sporting KC was breaking on the counter through Feilhaber. Sounders captain Osvaldo Alonso came sliding through Feilhaber to break up the counter, taking Feilhaber out in the process. Right in front of the Kansas City bench, Peter Vermes and his staff were furiously wanting a second yellow card for Alonso on the play to send him off, but Ismael Elfath didn't see anything wrong with the challenge. Seconds later after Feilhaber returned to the field he was given a yellow card by Elfath after he berated the referee before a goal kick, Feilhaber had to be pushed away by Graham Zusi and other teammates. The incident seemed to fire Feilhaber up more, which was helped as he was rained with boos by Seattle fans every time he touched the ball the rest of the game. Feilhaber though put Kansas City on his back last night and almost scored a wonder goal, beating a number of Seattle defenders as he slalomed through the Seattle defense before hitting a shot with the outside of his right foot that Frei had to knock away.

Unfortunately for KC, something that has been the story over the years has been an inability to capitalize on chances and made to pay for it. Seattle did just that. Kansas City had started to sit a little deeper looking to get to extra time and Seattle pushed forward. After a ball was partially cleared to Joevin Jones, the outside back got into the box and fired a ball across the face of goal that Valdez headed past Melia. Replays showed that Valdez was as far, if not further offside than Besler had been earlier in the night, but the assistant referee kept his flag down as Seattle and their fans celebrated.

After the goal Kansas City threw numbers forward trying desperately to find an equalizer, but Seattle's defense packed in and held firm keeping Kansas City from getting any clear looks on goal. When the final whistle blew, Feilhaber again had to be restrained as he again gave Elfath a piece of his mind before leaving the field. Another disappointing end to the season for Kansas City as they couldn't get past the Sounders despite out playing them for long stretches.

Wizards Man of the Match - Benny Feilhaber - Feilhaber may have either sealed himself a new deal, or SKC will earn themselves some very, very upset fans if they don't re-sign Feilhaber. Last night Feilhaber was on the top of his game, in the form that he was throughout his MVP finalist season last year. The only thing that was missing for him was a goal scorer that could put away the chances he created. With Dwyer blanketed by Torres and Marshall, KC's lack of a second option for Feilhaber to work with kept KC off the board.

Player Ratings - Melia 6, Sinovic 7, Ellis 7, Besler 6, Abdul-Salaam 6, Mustivar 6, Nagamura 6, Feilhaber 9, Espinoza 6, Dwyer 5, Zusi 5. Subs Medranda NR, Peterson NR.

Playoff Match Day: Win or Go Home

Sporting Kansas City begin their playoff campaign tomorrow night in the same place that the club started the season, in Seattle, taking on the Seattle Sounders. Back in March, Sporting used a Nuno Coelho shot from distance, a Seattle red card, and some good goalkeeping to help Kansas City a 1-0 win on First Kick. A full almost nine months later the two teams meet for the third time this season, KC won the prior two games, winning by a combined 4-0 scoreline.

The last time KC saw the Sounders they were quitting on then coach, Sigi Schmid in their 3-0 loss to KC at Children's Mercy Park. That loss cost Schmid his job with the Sounders. Since then though, the Sounders have been one of the hottest teams in the entire league, going 8-2-4 over their final 14 games of the regular season to shoot themselves not only into the playoffs, but into a position to host tomorrow's game. They're a completely different team from that time, mainly due to the acquisition of Nicolas Lodeiro to come in and play in the midfield. The Uruguayan international has four goals and eight assists in 13 games since he signed with the club three days after the loss to KC. The club hasn't even missed a beat with Clint Dempsey going out with a medical issue either. Of all the teams in the playoffs probably the only team in better form right now is the New York Red Bulls who have not lost a game since July 3rd.

Kansas City looks set to receive a boost ahead of tomorrow's game with Jacob Peterson being ready to go for the game. Peterson has enjoyed a career year with six goals and one assist, but the fact that KC has been so reliant on him speaks to the team's issues on the wing throughout this season. To Peterson's credit though he is absolutely making the most of the opportunity and has given KC an option as a secondary goal scorer. Kansas City will need Peterson's involvement up top, while Roger Espinoza has done well in a return to the wing, the offense just hasn't seemed to really get things going with a central midfielder playing out on the wing, it also negates some of the best work Espinoza can do on the field when he's forced to that wide position. That said, with KC having won their last two games with the same lineup, Peter Vermes might very well be tempted to stick with the same 11 that have gotten results the last two games. At the very least I'd expect him to do that along the back line, where the team has pitched back to back shutouts since a pair of shutouts against Seattle and Portland at home in July.

Espinoza - Dwyer - Zusi

Nagamura - Feilhaber

Mustivar

Sinovic - Besler - Ellis - Abdul-Salaam

Melia

Number to Remember - 1 - That's the number of games in the series between these two teams that has been decided by more than a single goal. That was actually the last time the two teams met and Kansas City won 3-0.

Key Match Up - Dom Dwyer vs Chad Marshall - One of the big things talked about in regards to KC and their playoff run is their lack of diversity in attack, something KC fans have talked about most of the season. "Dwyer Island" has been in full effect throughout the season and tomorrow he'll be going up against one of the more experienced and strong center backs in the league in Marshall.

PREDICTION - KC hasn't been in bad form lately, but their form pales in comparison to that of Seattle's. The Sounders, playing at home in front of their crowd are the distinct favorites tomorrow. Add in Kansas City's woeful away form for most of the season and the hill to climb for KC looks quite daunting. At the same time Sporting has the experience in big games that you want in these type of situations. Unfortunately I don't think it will be enough against a Seattle team that seems to be a trendy pick as a dark horse to make MLS Cup out of the West.

SKC - 0
SEA - 2 (Morris, Lodeiro)

Sporting Chasing Argentine Midfielder?

The same day as the latest rumor regarding Dom Dwyer leaving Kansas City, a new rumor about an incoming player has surfaced. Reports out of Argentina are that Sporting Kansas City is after attacking midfielder, Sebastian Blanco, who currently plays for San Lorenzo in the Argentine Primera Division. The 28 year old has been with San Lorenzo with a little over a year after spending time with West Brom in England and Metalist Kharkiv of Ukraine. While he mainly plays centrally, he also can play on the outside, two positions that Kansas City have stated that they were looking to address during this summer transfer window.

Sporting currently has an attacking midfield in MVP finalist, Benny Feilhaber, but he is out of contract at the end of this season, and at 31 the question will become whether Kansas City will give him the long term deal he likely wants. Blanco's ability to play on the outside could come in very handy for the club as well, especially if Feilhaber does stay.

Kansas City isn't the only MLS team that is reportedly interested in Blanco. Since the summer two other MLS teams have been linked with the Argentine. Back in June the reports were that the Seattle Sounders had put in a bid on Blanco after it looked like they wouldn't sign Nicolas Lodeiro, who they signed this week. Then just a few days ago it was came out that Toronto was the club that was going after the Argentine as someone to help provide service for Sebastian Giovinco. According to the article, Blanco is valued at around $3,000,000 which honestly would seem to be a turn off for Kansas City who likes to go after players who are out of contract. Seattle and Toronto are two teams that are more likely to make that sort of big splash to sign a player, not Kansas City. So in the end while it's a fun rumor to hope for, based on Kansas City's history, this sort of move would be out of character.

Sporting Top Listless Seattle

Sporting Kansas City took advantage of a slumping opponent that looks to have quit on their coach and were able to walk away with a 3-0 win over the Seattle Sounders. From the first whistle Kansas City was on the front foot keeping the Sounders pinned back not allowing them to get forward much. Jacob Peterson almost put KC up 1-0 in just the sixth minute after running onto a deflected pass, but Stefan Frei palmed the ball away for a corner. The early pressing paid off for Kansas City in the 21st when they took a deserv3ed 1-0 lead thanks to Dom Dwyer. Dwyer got on the end of a cross by Roger Espinoza after some good passing by Kansas City through the middle of the field. Espinoza received the ball out wide and had plenty of time to take a touch and pick out the run of Dwyer who headed the ball past Frei to give KC the lead. It wasn't all good news for Kansas City in the first half though as Graham Zusi, who just returned from injury had to leave the game in just the 41st minute being replaced by Connor Hallisey. Hallisey had a great opportunity to make it 2-0 in first half stoppage time after a turn over by the Sounders off a throw in. Hallisey was played in on goal but couldn't beat Frei with the effort. KC did make it two before the break though as Saad Abdul-Salaam raced down the wing before playing the ball back to the top of the box to an unmarked Peterson who one touched a shot past Frei into the far post upper 90 to make double KC's lead right before the break.

Kansas City continued the pressure in the second half while the Sounders continued to almost sleep walk through the game, they rarely were getting forward in KC's attack and Tim Melia wasn't very busy at all in the KC net. KC had a number of chances to add to their lead as Dwyer forced a good save out of Frei in the 61st minute on a shot from distance. Then moments late Peterson set up Hallisey on the doorstep but he miss-hit his shot with only Frei to beat and pushed his effort wide. Peterson almost got a brace in the 67th but dragged an effort just wide of the post while one on one with Frei. Finally KC got their third in the 79th on a giveaway by the Sounders. After passing around in their own end a poor pass towards the middle was easily picked off by Dwyer who walked in on goal and beat Frei to make it 3-0. The Sounders defenders all seemed to quit on the hospital ball giving Dwyer the chance to go one on one with Frei. KC continued to go searching for a fourth goal to pad the lead further but were unable to. Seattle finally got their first shot in the 88th minute of the game, a slow roller that was well wide of Melia's goal.

Wizards Man of the Match - Dom Dwyer - A brace for the man linked with a move to Europe, Dwyer looked very good yesterday, was active and was really testing Frei even with the shots he didn't score.

Honorable mention: Roger Espinoza

Player Ratings: Melia 6, Abdul-Salaam 7, Opara 7, Olum 7, Medranda 8, Mustivar 7, Espinoza 8, Feilhaber 8, Peterson 8, Dwyer 9, Zusi 7. Subs Hallisey 7, Porter 5, Sinovic NR.

Match Day 23: A Desperate Opponent

Sporting Kansas City welcome a desperate opponent to Children's Mercy Park tomorrow. The Seattle Sounders come to Kansas City tomorrow desperately seeking a league win trying to get their season back on track. Kansas City isn't in a great position themselves, but the Sounders sit eight points behind Kansas City, currently in ninth place in the Western Conference.

The Sounders and head coach, Sigi Schmid are so desperate for a win in league play that they basically tanked their US Open Cup game on Wednesday against the LA Galaxy putting out a far less than first team lineup in a 4-2 loss to the LA Galaxy. The Sounders started only a couple players who had made regular first team appearances for the Sounders, choosing to rest many starters for Sunday. They did throw on a few first team players like Brad Evans and Jordan Morris as substitutes, but for the most part the Sounders players got the night off. With that happening though the pressure is squaring on them to preform tomorrow with a team that is rested. They will have to play tomorrow without midfield destroyer, Osvaldo Alonso though as the Cuban is suspended for tomorrow's game due to yellow card accumulation. They will welcome back Clint Dempsey though who missed last week due to suspension.

While Seattle is certainly the team more desperate for a win, Kansas City can't say they don't need a win either. KC returns home after losing a pair of games on the road both on 1-0 scoreline. KC needs a win for themselves to try to keep pace in the Western Conference. A loss now could see them start to really slip out of the playoff picture as a busy August approaches and KC jumps back into two competitions with the CONCACAF Champions League. Peter Vermes will have his favored 11 available, specially on the back line, although the depth has taken a big hit. Vermes has been preferring the pairing of Lawrence Olum and Ike Opara, but at this point he's almost stuck with them as Nuno Coelho and Matt Besler are both battling injuries, leaving just Kevin Ellis as a back up central defender.

Davis - Dwyer - Zusi

Espinoza - Feilhaber

Mustivar

Medranda -Olum - Opara - Abdul-Salaam

Melia

Number to Remember - 1 - This series has never seen a win by a team by more than a single goal. Every game in the series between Sporting KC and the Seattle Sounders has seen a one goal winner. KC is 2-7-3 all time against Seattle and all nine games with a winner have been decided by the single goal.

Key Match Up - Dom Dwyer vs Chad Marshall - Dwyer again is matched up against a center back a head taller than him. Kansas City will need to try to find a way to get Dwyer service, something that they've struggled to do over the past two games.

PREDICTION - Given the forecast tomorrow for the day in Kansas City this game feels like it will be anything but a free flowing game. The high pressure that Kansas City likes to use is either going to be put on hold for the game, or have to be used more sparingly because of a forecast that will see temperatures in the mid 90s and heat indexes over 100. With the way that both teams have been playing combined with the heat I just don't feel like this will be a game that will be on anyone's highlight films once the season ends and it'll be a result that neither team wants.

SKC - 0
SEA - 0

Sporting Top Seattle in Season Opener

Sporting Kansas City opened the season with a win for the first time since 2013 thanks to a Nuno Coelho goal and a red card to Oniel Fisher. Kansas City took advantage of a first half red card by Fisher to alleviate the pressure on their back line that Seattle was putting them under for much of the first half and finally found the break through thanks to a long distance shot by Coelho that went under the arms of Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei and into the net.

Seattle came out on the front foot in the game, pinning Kansas City back in their own end allowing them very little going forward. In just the eighth minute the Sounders had the first good chance as Jordan Morris got played in on goal after Seattle did a good job of switching fields, but after dribbling into the box, Morris skied his effort over the bar. A few minutes later, Seattle won a free kick near the top of the box. Clint Dempsey stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and towards goal, but Tim Melia did well to tip the ball over the bar for a corner. On the ensuing corner, Chad Marshall beat his man and put his header off the cross bar. Melia was able to come up with the rebound off the bar and KC was finally able to clear their lines after two dangerous efforts from Seattle. KC's best chance of the first half came shortly after when Connor Hallisey got played in on goal on a cross field ball. Hallisey though looked to take his shot too quickly, firing first time when he probably had time to take a touch and it was easily handled by the goalkeeper.

Seattle was forcing a lot of the first half  play to go down KC's left side, through Hallisey and the second year man struggled at times against Seattle and against their right back, Fisher. That all changed in the 41st minute though. Hallisey caused a turnover near midfield and raced down the line to catch up to the ball. Him and Brad Evans both slid for the ball, but Hallisey is the one that was able to get back to his feet first and go back inside. Fisher came sliding in with both feet out, getting the ball, but also getting Hallisey. Referee, Alan Kelly did not hesitate, immediately going to his back pocket and producing the red card for the two footed tackle by Fisher.

The second half saw KC attempt to control possession with the man advantage, but it was Seattle that was able to create the best chance early in the half as in the 53rd minute Andreas Ivanschitz fired a shot from distance that Melia could only parry onto his cross bar. Nelson Valdez following the play tried for a bicycle kick but put his effort over the goal from inside the six, although he was offside on the play. KC started to come into the game more as the half progressed, Roger Espinoza had an effort saved as it was headed into the net by Evans in the 63rd. Two minutes later, Espinoza had another good chance as he moved around a couple defenders, but this time fired just wide of the post to keep the scores level. In the 73rd minute all the possession for KC finally paid off. After a long string of passes by KC, Jordi Quintilla played a simple square ball to Coelho who took a touch forward and fired a shot from about 30 yards out. Coelho's shot squeezed in underneath Frei on the wet surface and went into the far corner to put KC on top 1-0. Seattle had a few chances over the final 17 minutes but were unable to find the net as Sporting KC walked out of Seattle with only their second road win in the series, a series that has seen every win decided by a single goal by either team.

-Wizards Man of the Match - Tim Melia - Came up with big saves when Kansas City needed him to with superb saves on Dempsey and Ivanschitz. Controlled his box and controlled the back line giving them the shutout.

Honorable Mention - Nuno Coelho, Matt Besler

Player Ratings - Melia 8, Dia 5, Besler 6, Coleho 8, Myers 5, Mustivar 6, Espinoza 6, Quintilla 6, Hallisey 5, Dwyer 4, Zusi 5. Subs Medranda NR.

Match Day 1: 2016 Really Begins

The preseason is over and tomorrow Sporting KC take the field for their first game of the 2016 regular season against the Seattle Sounders. The match will be the second time in the last three years that Sporting KC has opened against the Sounders. KC lost the 2014 season opener to the Sounders 1-0 on late Chad Barrett goal. The late goal, a staple of KC vs Seattle games was yet another gut punch in a history or late gut punches by Seattle in games against KC.

While KC is getting ready for their first game of the season, the Sounders have already played two competitive games. The Sounders were in the knock out phase of the CONCACAF Champions League against Mexican side Club America. The Sounders took the lead twice in their home leg but twice allowed equalizers, one after just a minute of play as the first leg ended 2-2. In the second leg the Sounders again took a 1-0 lead but allowed an equalizer only a minute later and then gave up the lead before half time was even reached. The Sounders ended up falling 3-1 in the second leg and 5-3 on aggregate. Seattle did make it through the series with only one injury that will affect Sunday, Erik Friberg who is being monitored for a concussion and could miss the game. His absence will be felt for the Sounders who would in turn have to start journeyman Nathan Sturgis or 20 year old Cristian Roldan in his spot.

Kansas City has a few more knocks that they're dealing with that could have an effect on the lineup come tomorrow. Sporting currently have five players listed as questionable on this week's injury report including three players that you'd expect to start tomorrow if they're healthy, Brad Davis, Benny Feilhaber, and Seth Sinovic. I'd expect at least one, if not more of those three to be able to go tomorrow, but they're sitting out since it is so early would not be a surprise either. The other surprise in the lineup appears that it could be Jordi Quintilla playing in the defensive midfield position. Quintilla spent time there in preseason with Kansas City and could be in line for the start tomorrow.

Peterson - Dwyer - Zusi

Feilhaber - Espinoza

Quintilla

Dia - Besler - Coelho - Myers 

Melia

Number to Remember - 12-5-3 - Sporting's record in season openers over the 20 prior seasons for Kansas City. Their 0-1-1 over the last two years including the 1-0 loss to Seattle in the 2014 opener.

 Key Match Up - Dom Dwyer vs Chad Marshall - The Seattle center back had a good seven inches on Sporting's center back. With the new wingers for Kansas City designed for more crosses the match up between the two will be interesting. Dwyer has won contests with guys that are plenty bigger than him, but Dwyer able to get away from him and matched up against Brad Evans instead would certainly work to his advantage.

PREDICTION - This will be a good test for both teams right out of the gate. Kansas City will have to deal with Seattle's three forwards of Clint Dempsey, Nelson Valdez, and Jordan Morris. While that doesn't include the Nigerian Obafemi Martins it is still going to be a hand full for Sporting's back line to deal with. For Seattle, it's having to deal with a bit of a change in style for Sporting KC as they do more work down the wings and crossing instead of the cutting in that as they did a lot last year. KC has the players that can create chances, the big question will be whether they can get enough finishes out of all those chances created. That said with this being the first game of the season I think both teams will be hesitant to show too much and there will be a lot of feeling out.

SKC - 0
SEA - 1 (Dempsey)

A Look Back at my 2015 Wants and Wishes

With 2015 about to end, here's a look at my 2015 wants and wishes and how they turned out ahead of the calendar switch to 2016.

1. Silverware - Silverware is always fun and this year Kansas City soccer teams brought home two trophies. Sporting KC started the season off strong and for a period of time looked to be one of the favorites to win MLS Cup. Injuries though played a role in their downfall, but in the end were able to finish the season with their third trophy in four years, the US Open Cup. It was the club's third US Open Cup trophy to go with the 2004 and 2012 trophies, and as expected, came in a penalty kick shootout. Also this year FC Kansas City brought home their second straight NWSL title repeating as champions with a 1-0 win over Seattle thanks to an Amy Rodriguez goal.

2. Sporting KC improve their home form - I'd say this was a successful wish for 2015, Sporting KC. After going 6-5-6 in 2014, and losing 10 over the last two years, Kansas City lost just twice at home in 2015. Sporting finished with a 10-2-5 record, an 11 point positive swing in Kansas City's favor from their 2014 form. Add in their four US Open Cup wins at home and KC went 14-2-5 in 2015, tying a club record for home wins.

3. A little more balanced scoring - Overall scoring was much better for Kansas City in 2015. The club didn't have to rely solely on Dom Dwyer and ended up scoring 64 goals in all competitions, the second most in club history. Leading the way was Dwyer, Krisztian Nemeth, and Benny Feilhaber who all scored 10 goals or more in league play, becoming the first trio to accomplish that feat in one season for Kansas City. While Dwyer's scoring was down, he still led the team with 12 league goals, added another five in the US Open Cup, and one in the playoffs to finish the season with 16. Nemeth to go along with his 10 league goals scored five in the Open Cup for 15, while Feilhaber added two in the Open cup to finish with 12 on the season.

4. Finally defeat the Seattle Sounders at home - Sporting finally got their first home win against the Sounders thanks to a late Benny Feilhaber penalty kick back on June 6th. KC actually was unbeaten against the Sounders this year, going 1-0-2, drawing 0-0 in Seattle on May 23rd and earning a 1-1 draw at home on September 27th with a mostly reserve lineup three days before the US Open Cup final.




 
5. Ike Opara (or whoever partners Matt Besler) is fully recovered and starts 25-30 games - I guess I can't technically call this one a failure as Kevin Ellis started 26 games paired with Matt Besler in central defense for Sporting during the regular season, but the spirit of this wish didn't come true, especially after the way Ike Opara started the season. Opara had been Sporting's best player over the first month of the season, but another injury in early May put him out for the rest of the season leaving KC to lean heavily on homegrown player Kevin Ellis again. Ellis performed better than I think anyone expected, but was still prone to mistakes that a player with more size or experience at center back wouldn't make.

6. Luis Marin is available for all 34 league games, allowing Jon Kempin to start all but a game or two with Oklahoma City - Well this is another one that didn't come to be at all. We'll ignore the fact that Jon Kempin didn't go on loan at all to the Energy and instead focus on the fact that Luis Marin played just eight games for Kansas City before being benched in favor of Tim Melia. Marin just never seemed to adjust to the style of play of MLS very well. He did pick up three shutouts in his eight games, but two of those were at home against teams that seemed to have little to no interest in attacking on the road (Portland and Salt Lake) and the third came against New York City. The last straw for Marin came in the club's 4-4 draw with Houston where Marin was at least partially responsible for a few of the Dynamo goals. Marin though has rebounded well in Chile where he helped lead Palestino to the Apertura finals there.

And while Melia turned out to be a diamond in the rough as a starter for Kansas City, Kempin only appeared in three games for KC after being recalled from his loan to San Antonio. Peter Vermes says Kempin will challenge Melia for the starting job in 2016 preseason. If Kempin doesn't beat Melia out I hope he can spend quite a bit of time with the Swope Park Rangers getting plenty of minutes.

7. US Men's national team says perfect in Kansas City - Unfortunately the perfect run in Kansas City ended at five as the US national team drew with Panama 1-1 at Sporting Park in the final group play game of the 2015 Gold Cup. Falling behind on a first half goal by Blas Perez the US equalized early in the second half on a goal by Michael Bradley. The entire group stage of the Gold Cup didn't go that well for the US, and the problems were only compounded in the knock out round, but I'll get to that next.

8. US win the Gold Cup - I almost want to laugh at this wish now, after seeing how the 2015 Gold Cup played out. After getting out of Group A as the top seed going 2-0-1 but looking less than impressive in their wins against Honduras and Haiti, and draw against Panama, the US took Cuba behind the woodshed, winning 6-0 in the quarterfinals. This set up a semifinal match against Jamaica. The Jamaicans came out on the front foot and really pushed the game against the United States and were rewarded for it with goals from Darren Mattocks and Giles Barnes putting them up 2-0 at half time. Michael Bradley scored very early in the second half to give the US hope, but they were unable to break down the Jamaican defense and missed the finals for the first time since 2003. Things got even worse for the US as they lost the third place game on penalty kicks to Panama after drawing 1-1 with Fabian Johnson, Bradley, and DeMarcus Beasley all missing.

9. Missouri Comets return to championship game - Unfortunately the Comets didn't make it back to the finals. After going undefeated in the regular season and defeating Milwaukee 8-2 in the Central Division final, the Comets met up with the Baltimore Blast, losing 6-4 in Baltimore then coming home and having the wheels completely come off their season with red cards and suspensions being issued to Brian Harris and John Sosa and then the headbutt incident involving Andre Braithwaite and Pat Healey after the game. Not the way you want to end your season with so much of a sour taste in the team's and fans' mouths.






10. FC Kansas City improve attendance - FC Kansas City played in their third stadium in three years as they moved from Durwood on UMKC's campus down the road to the newly completed Swope Soccer Village and played at the Championship field there. The move bumped the available capacity to 3,557 for the Blues in their third season. The move, coming off a championship, and a boost from the Women's World Cup helped FCKC up their average attendance by over 1,000, going from 2,018 to 3,091 in 2015.

11. US women's team wins World Cup - The United States made it through their group as the winners picking up wins over Australia and Nigeria with a draw against Sweden in between to finish with 7 points. They met the upstart Colombians in the round of 16 and needed two second half goals after Colombia's starting goalkeeper was sent off to see them through. The quarterfinals saw a rematch of the 1999 final against China with Carli Lloyd scoring the lone goal to send the US through to the semifinals. There they met two time winners, Germany. The US though played their best game of the tournament up to that point though and scored twice in the second half from a Lloyd penalty and a Kelley O'Hara goal to make the finals. There they met Japan, who had beaten them in the finals of the last World Cup in Germany. The knockout rounds though had become the Carli Lloyd show and she continued in the finals. Lloyd had had two goals in the first five minutes as the US jumped on Japan early. Lauren Holiday scored in the 14th to make it 3-0 and in the 16th Lloyd finished her hattrick with an outlandish shot from midfield that went over goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori and into the net to make it 4-0 to the US before Japan even knew what happened. Japan got a goal back on each side of halftime before Tobin Heath finished the scoring in the 54th to give the US the 5-2 win.

Sporting to Open 2016 Season on the Road

Sporting Kansas City will kick off the 2016 MLS season in just 75 short days. Today Major League Soccer announced the home opener for all 20 of their teams, so we now know the first two games of Kansas City's season. All 20 teams will start the season on the same day, Sunday, March 6th. For the fifth time in six seasons since the club rebranded to Sporting KC, Sporting will start the season on the road. It'll be a trip to the Pacific Northwest and Seattle to play the Sounders, Sporting's opponent in the team's 2014 season opener, who are starting their season at home for the eighth time in their eight year run in MLS. Back in 2014, the defending MLS Cup champions, Sporting KC fell 1-0 to the Seattle Sounders on a late goal from Sounders forward, Chad Barrett. The game will be on Fox Sports 1 at 6pm central time as part of a triple header with games on all three networks with MLS contracts (ESPN, Fox, and Univision).

Six days after their opener in Seattle, KC will have their first home game of the season when they'll welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps to Sporting Park. It'll be the first time the two teams have met since KC's 4-3 comeback win over the Whitecaps last season, led by Paulo Nagamura. It will also be the earliest time the two teams have faced off in the regular season since KC blew a 3-0 lead to tie 3-3 in Vancouver on April 2nd, 2011.

The full schedule for the 2016 season will be coming in a little over two weeks on January 7th.

Swope Park Rangers Earn Draw

Sporting KC pulled out a big draw at home today against the Seattle Sounders. While the result still leaves Sporting KC in fifth place in the Western Conference, the 1-1 draw against the Sounders was still a positive result for SKC considering Sporting send out a decidedly B team lineup with the start lineup today. The only two regular starters to start the game were center back Kevin Ellis and midfielder Paulo Nagamura. It took the insertion of Dom Dwyer, but Sporting KC was able to get the 1-1 draw against a Sounders team playing their predominately first team.

The first half though belonged mainly to the Sounders who took advantage of the predominately reserve lineup from Kansas City. A through ball in the 25th found Obafemi Martings behind the defense, but his shot was easily collect by Jon Kempin in the KC goal. In the 31st minute though the Sounders were able to find a way past the KC defense. A long ball over the top by Gonzalo Pineda found Martins who had found space behind Sporting's Ellis. Martins shrugged off a challenge by the home grown player before fire a shot that Kempin got a hand to, but had enough power on it that it carried past him and into the far corner of the net to make it 1-0 Seattle. KC had plenty of possession in the first half but the chances they created were right at Stefan Frei. Their best of the first half came in first half stoppage time when a Connor Hallisey cross pinged around in the box for a minute before falling to Jordi Quintilla, but his shot was also deflected and collect by Frei.

The second half though Sporting KC came out and looked like a much better side. Peter Vermes inserted Soni Mustivar for Paulo Nagamura, but Seattle still had the best early chance. In the 52nd minute a nice cross into the box found Clint Dempsey, but his shot was well saved by Kempin who made a good reaction save to keep it 1-0 Seattle. As the half wore on though KC continued to get more of the ball and more chances. They were just missing that final touch as the front line of Bernardo Anor, Connor Hallisey, and Jacob Peterson couldn't create enough clear chances for KC. In the 74th minute Dom Dwyer entered the game for KC giving them more offense centrally than they had. It took Dwyer only five minutes to make a difference In the 79th minute the ball got played off to Peterson who laid the ball off to Amadou Dia who was making an overlapping run. Dia played a cross into the box and Dwyer was there at the back post to tap the cross home to tie the game at 1-1. With the goal, KC really pushed the game against the Sounders and looked to be the aggressor as the rest of the half continued. KC kept Seattle pinned in but couldn't find a second goal. On the counter the Sounders almost pulled another Seattle on KC as Dempsey put a cross by Martins just wide of the post in the 85th minute. KC's best chances after that came after that chance as Mikey Lopez started to find more space in the midfield. He was able to get forward and create chances but KC couldn't capitalize. The best chance though came in stoppage time at Lopez received the ball and was able to dribble at Seattle's back lin before dishing the ball out wide to Dwyer. Dwyer's shot was saved by Frei but he gave up a rebound. Lopez followed the effort and was able to knock the ball towards goal but the effort was cleared off the line as it trickled towards goal. The two teams had to settle for a draw, but considering the lineup you have to feel that the Swope Park Rangers getting the draw had to feel a lot more like a win even though the game was at home.

Wizards Man of the Match - Dom Dwyer - Completely changed the game when he came in. KC had possession before he came in but were totally lacking in the final third, Dwyer gave KC that last little bit and it paid off with the goal by Dwyer.

Honorable Mention: Jon Kempin, Mikey Lopez

Honorable Mention - Kempin 7, Dia 6, Ellis 6, Palmer-Brown 6, Anibaba 6, Nagamura 6, Lopez 7, Quintilla 6, Anor 5, Peterson 5, Hallisey 5. Subs Mustivar 6, Abdul-Salaam 6, Dwyer 7.

Match Day 30: What Line Up Will We Actually See?

To try to right the ship, or to write this one off and look towards Wednesday. That is the question facing Sporting Kansas City as they head into tomorrow's game against the Seattle Sounders at Sporting Park. Sporting has won just one of their last seven games that have seen them slip from Supporters' Shield favorites to flirting with the red playoff line. Now it becomes a question of what KC does with this game, do they punt it and put all their cards into Wednesday? Or do they push hard to try to get their regular season back on track ahead of the MLS Cup playoffs? The answer to that is probably somewhere in the middle.

Seattle travels to KC having also played a midweek game, theirs was at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps in CONCACAF Champions League play. They played a number of first team players, including Chad Marshall, Brad Evans, and Stefan Frei. They also started designated player, Nelson Valdez, but didn't start Obafemi Martins, who didn't even play, and Clint Dempsey who didn't even dress. So Seattle's high powered offensive players should be well rested to take on KC's makeshift back line.

Speaking of KC's makeshift back line, the biggest question for KC as a whole when it comes to individual players tomorrow is who is going to start at center back for KC. Who does Peter Vermes slot in next to Kevin Ellis, the 18 year old home grown Erik Palmer-Brown, Jalil Anibaba, who hasn't played center back for KC but has played their previously, or Amobi Okugo who also has spent time at center back along with defensive midfielder. Or does he start two of those players and rest Ellis ahead of Wednesday as well? There are a number of questions in tomorrow's lineup especially with Matt Besler and Benny Feilhaber both out due to yellow card accumulation. And certain players resting tomorrow would be a big sign ttowards their inclusion in the starting 11 Wednesday in Philadelphia.

Anor - Dwyer - Peterson

Lopez - Quintilla

Mustivar

Dia - Anibaba - Ellis - Abdul-Salaam

Melia

Number to Remember - 1 - That's the number of home wins that KC has in their history against the MLS version of the Seattle Sounders.

Key Match Up - KC Defense vs Seattle Attack - With Martins and Dempsey not playing on Wednesday there's no reason at all for them to not be in the 11 on Sunday. Those two going up against a makeshift center back pairing and potentially a makeshift back line as a whole could mean disaster for the team.

PREDICTION - KC fans are split on how the team should play this game with Sporting continuing to slide towards the playoff red line. Some want KC to focus completely on Wednesday, some thing that you have to get three points tomorrow. With Feilhaber and Besler out it's going to be an extremely tall task for KC to get all three points tomorrow. It'd be tough even if both players were available. I'm sure there will be some squad rotation with an eye towards Wednesday and I'm just not sure that KC has the firepower to match Seattle. Of course this is MLS where Orlando put 5 past the Supporters' Shield leaders last night.

SKC - 0
SEA - 2 (Martins, Dempsey)

Priorities for Sporting KC

I've spent much time over the last few years being critical of some of the opinions on the Cauldron Facebook page, including mocking some opinions there with the hashtag #CFBLogic. The page can be a dumpster fire after any loss, like I would think many fan pages for teams all over the internet are. Occasionally though it actually brings some interesting conversations, and while the conversation that led to this post hasn't been overly interesting, the premise of it has been. The idea is the priority of the US Open Cup over Sunday's league game against the Seattle Sounders, and vice versa.

In last night's game, both Matt Besler and Benny Feilhaber picked up suspensions due to yellow card accumulation. The two will now miss Sunday's game against the Seattle Sounders. Feilhaber's yellow was particularly interesting as he seemed to be arguing to receive a yellow card from referee Sorin Stoica, who did after Feilhaber walked away and proceeded to kick the ball away. With Feilhaber one game away from an accumulation suspension it almost seemed that he was intentionally trying to get that yellow card and miss Saturday's game against Seattle. Almost like he knew he wouldn't be playing so he wanted to get his suspension cleared out so he didn't have to worry about missing another game later in the season.

This leads to the question of priorities between a league game that has turned into a very important match Sunday against the Seattle Sounders and the US Open Cup final on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Union. When Kansas City beat Real Salt Lake 3-1 to make the US Open Cup final, KC looked to be in fantastic shape, a Supporters' Shield favorite and looked to be cruising to a playoff berth at the least. Since that game though KC has gone 1-5-1 in league play, picking up just four points, and dropping in the standings to fifth place, just four points above the playoff line.

This makes Sunday's game against Seattle all the more important. A win and KC can solidify their playoff spot; a loss and they will root themselves deeper into the fifth or sixth place spot and by the end of the weekend could see themselves just one point above the playoff line. Three points are almost a must for KC at this point. Unfortunately KC has a game that is just as, if not more, important on Wednesday against Philadelphia. In a normal league situation, Peter Vermes would likely just do a little rotation to give a few guys a break, but keep the majority of the starting lineup available. With a cup final in the middle of the week though KC likely has plenty of attention turned toward that game and more substantial rotation seems a good possibility for the game Sunday at home.

The question fans ask is where should their priorities lie? On the one hand you have a cup final, another chance to "paint the wall," to win their third trophy in the last four years, to get back into the CONCACAF Champions League, and to get that extra allocation money that comes with the spot in the 2016-2017 version of the competition.

On the other, the US Open Cup is still a fringe competition that doesn't have mass appeal to the majority of fans. This is especially true in the US and KC where you have a large number of "young" soccer fans who are not used to leagues that have multiple competitions going on at one time. Those fans see the league as being a much, much more important priority for KC and see the playoffs as being more important for KC to focus on at this point. This view point is helped by the fact that the final still has no announced televised schedule for the game just six days before the final (although there are current reports the game will be on ESPN2).

With that first view point, it's easy to see why the Besler and Feilhaber suspensions aren't a huge deal. Fans that subscribe to that view point were hoping and expecting that Vermes would sit the two anyway, along with other players to get them rest for the final. Many fans that subscribe heavily to this view point wouldn't be disappointed if KC threw out a completely different 11 from the one that eventually takes the field on Wednesday against the Union. They understand that they're sacrificing this game to have the team better ready for the final.

With the league priority, it's all about getting that playoff spot. The form over the last month has been horrible for KC; the drop in the standings has many people on both sides of the priority line concerned, at least a little, about the playoffs. The main feeling is that KC really needs to right the ship that is their season, and get the opportunity to win the bigger trophy, MLS Cup. Some also point to Vermes' tactics of playing guys multiple times in a week as proof that KC could do something similar on Sunday against Seattle.

I personally lean towards the priority of the US Open Cup, but I understand the frustration on the other side, especially with Sunday's game at home. People don't want to go to a game to watch a bunch of "second teamers" run out there, its part of why so many fans leave NFL preseason games early once the starters are out. You especially don't want to see it at home in a competitive game when you've paid money to attend the game. You go with the expectation of a certain level and some people I've already seen state their frustration in Sunday's game if KC does indeed field a weakened side to face the Sounders.

If KC does field a weakened team, as weakened as some want, those on the USOC side of priorities have to be ready for the consequences, should the Sounders walk all over a weakened SKC team. On the other side of things, this is MLS we're talking about, where a San Jose Earthquakes team that looked dead in the water walked into a stadium where a team hadn't lost all season, and put five goals past them in route to a 5-0 win.

Sporting Finally Top Seattle

KC finally ended their jinx at home against the Seattle Sounders, picking up their first win in the club's history against the Sounders. And it wouldn't be a KC vs Seattle game without a late goal, only this time it was Sporting KC that picked up the late winner in a bit of controversial fashion from the penalty spot.

As expected, Dom Dwyer wasn't available for KC and the only true forward on the field at the start of the game for either side was Seattle's Lamar Neagle. While KC had he better of possession in the first half, they struggled to create chances, with a lot of their work coming down the wing and trying to cut inside since there was no bigger body to play the ball into. The chances that the did create came from further out from goal with the likes of Marcel de Jong, Benny Feilhaber, and Graham Zusi all having efforts from distance that they really couldn't keep on goal. Seattle meanwhile was creating fewer chances but they were putting their efforts on net. Neagle stung Tim Melia's hands from distance after being played in by Marco Pappa. Overall Seattle just looked the more dangerous, especially on set pieces, a pair of early corners looked likely to be the opener as Melia saved a header by Neagle and the rebound was cleared while a second corner went back post and was headed across the face of goal but no one got a touch as the ball went all the way through the six yard box. Outside of the dangerous set pieces though Seattle, like KC was limited to a lot of shots from outside the box. Melia did well to save and hold onto a shot by Pappa in the 19th after a poor give away by Amadou Dia. As the half went on KC was able to find some space on the wing and did get some good low crosses into the box, both for rookie Connor Hallisey, but on the first after a cross by de Jong, Hallisey put the effort over and on the second he just couldn't slide out and reach the cross from Dia. In the 36th minute Melia made probably his best save of the game as Neagle broke in on goal he fired a shot towards the corner that Melia got a hand on and knocked back up in the area. Melia immediately got his head up and located the ball, pushing it out for a corner before Neagle could pounce on the rebound. The biggest save that Seattle's Stefan Frei had to make came in the 41st after receiving a pass in the middle of the field Zusi popped the ball up and volleyed it on goal and Frei had to push the ball away for a corner.

The second half saw a lot of the same from both sides, Seattle creating few shots, but getting them on goal, while KC was limited to a lot of long range shots. Before the hour mark, Dom Dwyer made his return to the field for KC coming in for de Jong and pushing Zusi out to a wide position. KC looked a little more organized in attack with Dwyer on and Zusi able to play a more free role on the wing. Zusi almost set up Hallisey for an effort, but the rookie just couldn't catch up with the pass, instead losing the shooting chance and having to back heel it to Roger Espinoza who couldn't get his effort on goal. Seattle came the other way as Pappa danced around a few KC players and fired a shot on goal but Melia was up to the effort. In the 66th minute it looked like Seattle grabbed the lead as Pappa crossed a ball in to Neagle who put the ball into the net, but the offside flag was raised ruling the goal out. The assumption was that Neagle was who the flag was on, but replays seemed to show Neagle was onside and there was no replay to see if Pappa was actually the one off. In the 82nd minute, the big point of contention as Espinoza played a lifted ball into the box for Dwyer. Zach Scott tried to hold Dwyer off the ball as he tried to get to it while Frei came off his line. Frei went through Dwyer to get to the ball, knocking him over and referee Ismail Elfath pointed to the spot. Feilhaber stepped up and sent Frei the wrong way with a stutter step to put KC on top 1-0. KC held off the Seattle attack over the last few minutes and finally got their win over Seattle.

Wizards Man of the Match - Tim Melia - Finished the game with six saves and looked strong and confident in net for Sporting yet again.

Player Ratings - Melia 8, Anibaba 7, Ellis 7, Besler 7, Dia 5, Mustivar 7, Espinoza 6, Feilhaber 6, de Jong 5, Zusi 5, Hallisey 5. Subs Dwyer 5, Abdul-Salaam NR.

Match Day 14: Lacking Options Up Top

Tomorrow at Sporting Park, the two highest scoring teams in the league will face off. Unfortunately those high scoring offenses may not be seen as both teams are faced with injuries and national team call ups that will limit the rosters that both teams will have to choose from tomorrow, especially up top.

Seattle comes into the game second in the Supporters' Shield race, but with two games in hand on first place DC. But they may be playing without their top three forwards tomorrow. Obafemi Martins could miss the game after having surgery on his nose during the week and could miss the game tomorrow, Clint Demspey's wife is on the verge of giving birth to a child, and Chad Barrett apparently picked up an injury in training. Those absences, if they all miss the game, could leave Seattle quite thin up top. The Sounders will also be without two other important players on the team, as club captain Brad Evans is with the US national team, and Osvaldo Alonso is suspended by the MLS disciplinary committee for a challenge in their game on Sunday.

While the Sounders are short, KC isn't much better, especially up top. Krisztian Nemeth is with the Hungarian national team and isn't available tomorrow, while the team's other two forwards, Dom Dwyer and Jacob Peterson are both injured and could miss tomorrow's game as well. Like the Sounders that leaves KC lacking in the forward position for the game tomorrow. Thankfully everywhere else KC is healthy and getting healthier. But tomorrow with Nemeth out and Dwyer and Peterson still question marks, KC could very well run out their traditional 4-3-3, but have it look a lot more like a 4-6-0, with someone like Graham Zusi playing in the "false 9" role that Spain made famous. The problem with that is that it would require more of a change in KC's style of play. Currently KC likes to play a lot of balls into the feet of the striker for them to hold up, or cross from wide positions. Without the likes of Nemeth or Dwyer on the field, KC's opportunities for either of those decreases greatly. Talk from Robb Heineman recently though made it sound like Dwyer would be ready to go for the game tomorrow, which would certainly be welcome for KC, but I'm not sure he'll be set to start.

Melia

Anibaba - Ellis - Besler - Dia

Mustiar

Espinoza - Feilhaber

Medranda - Zusi - Hallisey

Number to Remember - 352 - That's the number of minutes that KC has gone scoreless against the Seattle Sounders in league play. KC's last goal against the Sounders came in the 8th minute of KC's 1-1 draw in Seattle back on June 20th of 2012. Since then, KC has lost twice and drew 0-0 two weeks ago in Seattle. In all competitions, that number is a little lower at 307, since Kei Kamara's penalty kick in the 2012 US Open Cup final.

Key Match Up - KC forwards vs Chad Marshall - This could be a very big mis-match depending on who actually plays for KC, and how Sporting chooses to play the game. If Dwyer can not go, KC really needs to focus more on balls on the ground and passing around the Seattle center back, which would suit their style if they can succeed with it. The more KC goes to the air, the more they are going to be playing right into Marshall's and Seattle's hands.

PREDICTION - Considering the potential offensive absences, this has gone from being a potential barn burner to a potential cagey defensive match up. Which means that this game will likely be another match up decided by one goal if there is any difference between the two teams at all. KC is riding their six game unbeaten run, and has yet to lose at home this year. Meanwhile the Sounders have never lost to KC in Kansas City since the Sounders came into MLS. Unfortunately I don't think any of that will change tomorrow. With all the potential absences, I think this game as a draw written all over it.

SKC - 1 (Feilhaber)
SEA - 1 (Pappa)

#TBT KC's Lone Win Vs Seattle

Sporting KC on Saturday will play Seattle for the 11th time in regular season play and 13th time in all competitions. KC though has not won once in the last nine MLS games, and last 11 in all competitions against the Sounders (the US Open Cup in 2012 technically is a draw that was then won on penalty kicks). The only win that KC has all time against the Sounders was in the very first meeting on April 11th, 2009 at Century Link Field.

So this week for Throw Back Thursday, I'm looking back on KC's lone win over the Sounders. Unfortunately I've been searching all over the net the past few days trying to find the full highlights of the game, but have been unable to find full highlights of the game.

While KC had some good early play (according to my write up on the game at the time), they struggled to create opportunities, but the game changed in the 29th minute when Herculez Gomez was played in on goal against Kasey Keller. Keller came out to challenge Gomez and went to ground as Gomez tried to chip it over him. The chip struck Keller's arm as the Sounders' goalkeeper was outside the box. Keller was given his marching orders and KC was up a man for 60 minutes. KC though didn't test Keller's back up, Ben Dragavon in the remaining 15 minutes of the first half.

The second half saw the Sounders control the game for long stretches. KC much of the time looked like the team that was down a man during that time. The Sounders though couldn't break through KC's defense. Then in the 80th minute as KC got forward, the ball came to Davy Arnaud who was about 30 yards from goal, he took a touch and fired a long range shot that Dragavon seemed to get a late jump on as he only got a touch on it as it went into the side netting to give KC the 1-0 lead. KC's defense was able to hold up down the stretch and were the first team to take points off the Sounders in their expansion season.

The lineup for the game features two players that are in the KC team now, Matt Besler, and Roger Espinoza.

Kevin Hartman, Lance Watson, Aaron Hohlbein, Jimmy Conrad, Matt Besler, Herculez Gomez (Michael Harrington  77), Santiago Hirsig (Michael Kraus  64), Jack Jewsbury, Josh Wolff, Davy Arnaud, Claudio Lopez (Roger Espinoza  82).

Seattle's Alonso Suspended for Game vs Sporting

The Seattle Sounders will be a little shorthanded for their game this weekend in KC against Sporting. Already without Brad Evans due to his call up to the US national team and Clint Dempsey's wife close to giving birth to their fourth child, they found out today that midfield designated player, Osvaldo Alonso will be suspended  for Saturday's game for kicking out at Felipe Martins late in Seattle's 2-1 win over the Red Bulls. The kick, which came after Martins had already knocked the ball away, was awarded as a foul during the game, but no card was given. After review, the Disciplinary Committee deemed that the kick was violent conduct and endangered the safety of his opponent, giving him the one game suspension.

Alonso's loss may be the biggest loss of the three ahead of Saturday's game. Alonso is the Sounders midfield general, and a hard-nosed defensive midfielder. With him out that could allow more space for Benny Feilhaber to operate in the midfield on Saturday. KC will need a lot from Feilhaber on Saturday with call ups and injuries taking their toll on KC's forwards, KC may have to run the old 4-6-0 formation.

KC Escape Seattle with a Point

It certainly wasn't pretty, and at times it was down right ugly, but for just the third time in the regular season, Sporting KC picked up points against the Seattle Sounders. With another undermanned line up that saw KC forced to scratch Dom Dwyer during warm ups due to a neck injury KC played an ugly, but walked out of Century Link Field with a point. Joining Dwyer on the bench from Wednesday's game was Paulo Nagamura who was replaced by Servando Carrasco, although Graham Zusi made the bench and came on as KC's third substitute of the game. It wasn't all good for KC though as they suffered another injury they didn't need as Jacob Peterson left with a hamstring injury in the second half.

Seattle came out and controlled the game from the start, but an issue that plagued them all game was an ability to get shots on goal with all that possession. KC really looked to be the more dangerous of the two sides against the run of play. In the 9th minute off a Matt Besler long throw, KC almost grabbed the lead as the ball made it all the way to Krisztian Nemeth at the back post, but Nemeth seemed a little surprised the ball made it all the way through and didn't get enough power on his shot and it was easily collected by Stefan Frei.

While Seattle wasn't creating a lot of shots on target, Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia was busy having to come off his line to catch, punch and collect crosses by the Sounders. In the 32nd on a cross into the box Melia got just enough on a cross to knock it away from the head of Chad Marshall and away from the area. Seattle recollected the ball on the opposite side of the field and the ball was crossed back in for Lamar Neagle who put his header of the post. As the half wore on Seattle got more and more of the possession, but they still couldn't put a shot on goal in the 36th minute, Brad Evans picked off a pass and raced the opposite direction leading a 4 on 3, but as he got closer to goal Evans fired a shot from about 30 yards out that missed the frame keeping the game scoreless. As the first half ended Seattle had 70% of the possession, much of the early part of it no where near the goal, but near the end of the half they had started to push the game more. Some more possession in the second half was going to be needed for KC to hold off Seattle's attack.

The second half saw Kansas City come out and get forward a bit more, while they still played a more defensive approach, they did get forward at times. In the 51st minute KC had another good opportunity to score after Amadou Dia did a good job of getting space against his defender before playing a cross into the box for Jacob Peterson, but his shot was right at Frei. KC kept trying to hit on the counter, with Jimmy Medranda firing a shot wide of goal. Seattle controlled play, but it took until the 82nd minute for them to record a shot on goal. After a free kick was partially cleared, the all was bicycle-kicked towards goal by Brad Evans. On its way through, Chad Barrett redirected the shot, but Melia was well positioned to make the save and keep the game scoreless. In stoppage time in the second half, Sporting almost Seattle'd Seattle as Feilhaber received the ball about 25 yards from goal, took a touch and fired a shot that was curling towards the far post. Frei though made a great save, knocking the ball over the bar to preserve the tie late for Seattle.

Wizards Man of the Match - Tim Melia - While he only had to make one save all night, Melia did a great job of controlling his area. He was decisive when coming off his line, did well when knowing when to catch and punch the ball. Was well positioned all night.

Honorable Mention - Kevin Ellis - Matt Besler

Player Ratings - Melia 8, Anibaba 7, Ellis 8, Besler 8, Dia 7, Mustivar 7, Carrasco 5, Feilhaber 5, Peterson 5, Nemeth 4, Medranda 5. Subs Hallisey 5, Abdul-Salaam 5, Zusi 6.

Match Day 12: Sporting Visit Their Bogey Team

Sporting KC come off a short week headed into Seattle to take on the Sounders at Century Link Field. After KC's 4-2 win over New England, KC headed to Seattle to take on a team that KC has beaten just one time since the Sounders began playing in the league. KC is 1-7-1 in league play and 1-8-2 in all competitions against the Sounders. KC has gone eight games in league play and now 10 in all competitions without a win against Seattle since taking the first ever meeting between the teams 1-0. That's the longest streak without a win against a team in club history.

Part of the reason that KC has always struggled with Seattle is that they're just consistently a good team, the defending Supporters' Shield champions have a front line that can cause any back line fits with the likes of Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins. And even with Martins set to miss out on the game this weekend due to injury, it doesn't make Seattle any less dangerous. They're also a strong defensive team with Chad Marshall enjoying a resurgence here after struggling his last year or two in Columbus. The Sounders are all around a solid team that will cause KC plenty of issues all over the field.

That'll be especially true of a KC team that is still short on players and coming off a midweek game.It appears that KC could get Graham Zusi back in the lineup this week as he has traveled with the team after missing Wednesday's game while recovering from a concussion. KC though will still likely be missing Marcel de Jong, Roger Espinoza, and Seth Sinovic all are still recovering from injury at this point. If Zusi can't start, and I'm not sure he will be able to, KC looks set to likely start the same lineup that started against the Revolution on Wednesday, simply because of a lack of options.

Melia

Anibaba - Ellis - Besler - Dia

Mustivar

Nagamura - Feilhaber

Peterson - Dwyer - Nemeth

Number to Remember - 0 - That's the number of games in this series decided by more than one goal. Every game in this series has seen either a one goal win or a draw.

Bonus Number - 5 - That's the number of game winners that Seattle has against KC in stoppage time since 2010. There's a reason that KC fans always dread the final minutes of the game against Seattle.

Key Match Up - Benny Feilhaber vs Osvaldo Alonso - Alonso has been one of the best defensive midfielders in the league since coming in with the Sounders. Doing so has earned him a designated player contract with the Sounders. He'll be matching up against arguably one of the league favorites in the early season for MVP in Feilhaber.

PREDICTION - KC has been playing better as of late, especially offensively, but with the short rest and the shorter bench right now, I'm just not sure that Sporting has the legs to go with Seattle over the course of 90 minutes tomorrow night. The Sounders, even without Martins are going to cause KC's back line a lot of problems tomorrow night. Going the other way, KC will get their chances, I just don't think the defense is strong enough right now to win this for KC.

SKC - 1 (Nemeth)
SEA - 2 (Dempsey, Barrett)

Sporting Close Out the Preseason with a Win and a Draw

Sporting KC closed out the 2015 preseason in Tucson today with a pair of games. Sporting pulled out a win and a draw to close out preseason with a 3-2-2 record.

Kansas City started the day with a scrimmage against NASL side, Minnesota United. Sporting put out a team that was likely close to what fans will see on March 8th against the New York Red Bulls (assuming there is not a strike). Kansas City controlled the early going of the game and scored an early goal from Bernardo Anor. Graham Zusi played a corner into the box that was headed by Ike Opara into the air. Anor was the first to react to it, volleying the ball into the far corner to give KC the 1-0 lead. KC controlled the rest of the half with a number of chances. Dom Dwyer got in behind the defense with a 1v1 opportunity, but Minnesota's goalkeeper, Sammy N'Djock played a high line in goal and quickly got off his line to snuff the chance. Amadou Dia almost took advantage of N'Djock's high line after some good pass work, but he put his chip just wide of the goal. Zusi also had a chip attempt, but his effort went high.

The second half, Kansas City continued to press the game with Dwyer against going close, but unable to capitalize. Sporting continued to control the game, but was unable to add to their 1-0 lead and came away with a 1-0 win over Minnesota for the club's first shutout of the preseason.

In the night cap, a team filled with mainly reserve players took on the first team for the Seattle Sounders in the third place match up of the Desert Diamond Cup. Like earlier in the day, Sporting was able to grab the lead, this time it was the team's first first round draft pick, Connor Hallisey who scored from 15 yards out after being played in by Jimmy Medranda. As expected with a first team playing a second team, Seattle dominated play, but Kansas City's defense and Tim Melia both stepped up and kept Seattle off the board heading into half time.

The second half saw Seattle continue to pressure, but Jon Kempin, who came on at half time, continued to play well in net for Kansas City. In the 66th minute though Seattle tied the game as Clint Dempsey played Obafemi Martins in behind KC's defense and he beat Kempin to level the game at 1-1. Seattle continued to press the game until the 76th minute, when Gonzalo Pineda was sent off for a foul on Sporting's Seth Sinovic. The dynamics of the game changed, Seattle continued to try to push the game, but a man down they couldn't do as much and the two  teams settled for a 1-1 draw.

The team will head home tomorrow to Kansas City with an eye towards Sunday and New York, but with the distraction of the CBA still firmly in the players minds.

Sporting Top Seattle in Tucson

Sporting KC continued their run in the Desert Diamond Cup last night against the Seattle Sounders, jumping out to a 3-0 lead before holding on late to win 3-2. Kansas City's primarily first team lineup played the first 60 minutes before making way for reserves. Graham Zusi, Saad Abdul-Salaam, and Jon Kempin made their preseason debuts for Kansas City in the game as well, with Zusi making the start for KC.

Seattle had the better of the play through the early going of the game, although KC looked better than it did in the first half against Colorado on Wednesday. Seattle really should have gone on top on the 26th minute as Lamar Neagle beat Marcel de Jong down KC's left and played a great ball into the middle for Clint Dempsey. Dempsey had drifted in between Amadou Dia and Ike Opara, but his shot from inside the six yard box went over the goal. KC though were the ones that grabbed the lead in the 34th minute through Zusi. Benny Feilhaber continued to show he can play fantastic long balls, sending a great ball from midfield that Zach Scott couldn't get enough of a head on. Zusi, who'd been making the run for Feilhaber, allowed the ball to roll into the box in front of him before hitting it into the far corner out of reach of Stephan Frei. Zusi immediately made his exit from the game immediately after the game, making way for James Rogers. Seattle almost responded immediately as Neagle held off Matt Besler at the top of the box, turned and fired a shot that went just wide of Luis Marin's left hand post. KC though began to get more of the play after the goal and in the 38th made it 2-0. Off a throw-in, Roger Espinoza played Dom Dwyer into the box with a nice ball. Frei made a good save on the initial shot, but Bernardo Anor was the first to reach the rebound. Anor backheeled the ball into the path of Krisztian Nemeth who fired the ball into the net from around the penalty spot to double Kansas City's lead.

The second half saw Kansas City continue to create chances. Dwyer should have tallied his first goal of the preseason in the 55th minute. Another long ball over the top was mishandled by Chad Marshall, allowing Dwyer to collect the ball and head into the box one on one with Frei, but the Seattle goalkeeper knocked the ball out for a corner. After the full scale changes for both teams around the 60th minute, there was another feeling out period as the new players adjusted to being on the field. In the 73rd though KC grabbed a third. Jimmy Medranda set up the play, getting the ball near midfield and racing towards Seattle's goal before laying the ball off to Rogers. Rogers cut inside two Seattle defenders back to back and fired a shot past Frei to give KC a 3-0 lead. Just a minute later, Seattle got themselves on the board as Vic Mansaray out muscled Seth Sinovic on a corner kick and headed a ball past Kempin and into the net to make it 3-1. Seattle continued to pressure and in the 78th minute, worked it from KC's left side of the field to the right before a curled shot from inside the box hit the outside of Kempin's far post and bounced back into play keeping the score at 3-1. Two minutes later, Seattle did cut the lead to one as a long ball into the box, bounced about 10 yards out as Sinovic missed going for the ball. Kenny Cooper was unmarked at the back post and fired a shot that went under Kempin and into the net to make it 3-2. The final 10 minutes of the game were filled with Seattle pushing numbers forward trying to find an equalizer. KC's defense though held on and Sporting came away with the win.

Performance wise I thought the the three man attacking midfield of Anor, Nemeth, and Zusi did extremely well last night, they interchanged and did quite well getting forward. Feilhaber behind them continues to play fantastic long balls from his deeper midfield position. On the other side of things, I don' think either of KC's left backs, Sinovic or de Jong had very good performances, Sinovic got beat on the first goal and missed a chance to clear the second before it got through to Cooper. de Jong, while he looked fine going forward, he struggled a bit with some of the pace that Seattle used out wide. Also I thought Connor Hallisey struggled in his 30 minute shift. He got caught up high a couple times, most noticeably on Seattle's second, when he should have been tracking Cooper. I think last night also showed Kansas City's lack of forward depth quite apparently. If Dwyer and Nemeth are on the field together (and the way Nemeth has looked this preseason I don't think you can leave him on the bench) then that leaves KC extremely thin on the bench when it comes to forwards, with only Jacob Peterson there. And really, for all of his work ethic, Peterson isn't a center forward. If both Dwyer and Nemeth can't go for some reason, KC likely would be better off playing a style similar to Spain's 4-6-0 they used, playing with six midfielders.

Kansas City next play on Wednesday against Salt Lake in the final "group stage" game of the Desert Diamond Cup. A win would put KC into the first place match on Saturday the 28th. A draw or a loss and the third place game becomes a likely destination.