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.
Showing posts with label US Open Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Open Cup. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Match Day USOC: On the Road Again
For the first time since the club rebranded, Sporting KC will play two games in a single US Open Cup run on the road. The last time this happened for Kansas City was in the 2009 US Open Cup when the then Wizards also played on the road in Minnesota against the Minnesota Thunder, topping them in penalty kicks 4-2 after a 3-3 tie. KC then went on the road and lost 1-0 to the expansion Seattle Sounders. This year KC heads to play the Houston Dynamo again after defeating a team from Minnesota, this time Minnesota United.
The Dynamo have changed a bit since Kansas City last played them in early May. The big news is that the club agreed to part ways with their coach, Owen Coyle, who is now back in the UK. The move hasn't helped a lot to change their fortunes in the league, while they have only lost once since Wade Barrett replaced Coyle as coach, a 3-2 loss on Sunday to Portland, the Dynamo haven't won a league game either. Since the change, the Dynamo are 0-1-3. They did pick up a win in the US Open Cup, topping San Antonio FC 4-0 in the fourth round.
KC has been in some better form of late, having gone four unbeaten in all competitions, including their 2-1 win over Minnesota in the last round of the US Open Cup. Sporting also earned a 2-2 draw in Montreal in their last outing and looked much better than they have heading into the game. Kansas City will also welcome back their two US internationals as Matt Besler and Graham Zusi will be be available for selection tomorrow according to Peter Vermes. With Besler going 90 minutes in the USA's game against Columbia I think his presence in the game will be minimal at most. Zusi though could contribute more to the team in the game tomorrow having not played in the third place game. Whether he starts though is up to Peter Vermes with his lack of time with the team recently.
Number to Remember - 2002 - That's the last time Kansas City has won back to back road games in the US Open Cup. That year Kansas City did it against two minor league opponents, first defeating the Rochester Raging Rhinos 3-2 in extra time before defeating the Milwaukee Rampage 2-0 in Milwaukee. Kansas City ended up losing in their third road game of that year's run, 3-2 in extra time to the eventual winners, the Columbus Crew.
Key Match Up - KC attack vs Houston defense - The Kansas City offense is back to averaging a goal a game after Dom Dwyer's brace against Montreal. That said, Kansas City is still struggling to score goals and to create dangerous chances. They're playing a Houston team though that has allowed 25 goals this season, KC should be able to find some space against the Dynamo, it's going to come down to whether they can exploit it.
PREDICTION - Kansas City has made the Open Cup a priority for themselves since the 2011 season, they've always put out a strong team, especially against MLS opposition. I don't think tomorrow will be too much different, but the question is can the offense get things done against Houston. Sporting's offense still doesn't do a lot for me, many times they look devoid of ideas other than playing the ball wide and crossing to a 5'9" Dwyer in the middle. With the schedule congestion coming should KC advance two more times I don't think Vermes will be too disappointed if KC fall out of the US Open Cup before that stretch in August. Unfortunately for KC I think that comes tomorrow, they just can't score enough goals right now.
SKC - 1 (Dwyer)
HOU - 2 (Bruin, Barnes)
The Dynamo have changed a bit since Kansas City last played them in early May. The big news is that the club agreed to part ways with their coach, Owen Coyle, who is now back in the UK. The move hasn't helped a lot to change their fortunes in the league, while they have only lost once since Wade Barrett replaced Coyle as coach, a 3-2 loss on Sunday to Portland, the Dynamo haven't won a league game either. Since the change, the Dynamo are 0-1-3. They did pick up a win in the US Open Cup, topping San Antonio FC 4-0 in the fourth round.
KC has been in some better form of late, having gone four unbeaten in all competitions, including their 2-1 win over Minnesota in the last round of the US Open Cup. Sporting also earned a 2-2 draw in Montreal in their last outing and looked much better than they have heading into the game. Kansas City will also welcome back their two US internationals as Matt Besler and Graham Zusi will be be available for selection tomorrow according to Peter Vermes. With Besler going 90 minutes in the USA's game against Columbia I think his presence in the game will be minimal at most. Zusi though could contribute more to the team in the game tomorrow having not played in the third place game. Whether he starts though is up to Peter Vermes with his lack of time with the team recently.
Hallisey - Rubio - Peterson
Espinoza - Feilhaber
Olum
Medranda - Ellis - Opara - Abdul-Salaam
Kann
Number to Remember - 2002 - That's the last time Kansas City has won back to back road games in the US Open Cup. That year Kansas City did it against two minor league opponents, first defeating the Rochester Raging Rhinos 3-2 in extra time before defeating the Milwaukee Rampage 2-0 in Milwaukee. Kansas City ended up losing in their third road game of that year's run, 3-2 in extra time to the eventual winners, the Columbus Crew.
Key Match Up - KC attack vs Houston defense - The Kansas City offense is back to averaging a goal a game after Dom Dwyer's brace against Montreal. That said, Kansas City is still struggling to score goals and to create dangerous chances. They're playing a Houston team though that has allowed 25 goals this season, KC should be able to find some space against the Dynamo, it's going to come down to whether they can exploit it.
PREDICTION - Kansas City has made the Open Cup a priority for themselves since the 2011 season, they've always put out a strong team, especially against MLS opposition. I don't think tomorrow will be too much different, but the question is can the offense get things done against Houston. Sporting's offense still doesn't do a lot for me, many times they look devoid of ideas other than playing the ball wide and crossing to a 5'9" Dwyer in the middle. With the schedule congestion coming should KC advance two more times I don't think Vermes will be too disappointed if KC fall out of the US Open Cup before that stretch in August. Unfortunately for KC I think that comes tomorrow, they just can't score enough goals right now.
SKC - 1 (Dwyer)
HOU - 2 (Bruin, Barnes)
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Sporting to Travel to Houston for Next US Open Cup Game
Sporting Kansas City learned their opponent for the fifth round of the US Open Cup today. Sporting was grouped into the Plains regional that US Soccer begins at this stage of the tournament with FC Dallas, the Colorado Rapids, and the Houston Dynamo, the same three teams as they were in 2015. The four teams were then paired together with Kansas City being paired with the Houston Dynamo and Dallas taking on Colorado. The two Texas teams will play host, meaning that for the second straight Open Cup game Kansas City will have to go on the road in hopes of advancing.
The two teams met last year in the quarterfinals with Kansas City winning 3-1 thanks to second half goals by Benny Feilhaber, Dom Dwyer, and Krisztian Nemeth canceling out an earlier goal by Will Bruin. They'll now meet at BBVA Compass Stadium with a shot at the quarterfinals on the line. The winner of the Kansas City vs Houston game will be the ones that get to host the quarterfinal match up against either Dallas or Colorado.
The bracket has been laid out all the way to the finals now with the Plains group being grouped with the West group that includes the Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Portland Timbers, and Seattle Sounders for the semifinal.
The two teams met last year in the quarterfinals with Kansas City winning 3-1 thanks to second half goals by Benny Feilhaber, Dom Dwyer, and Krisztian Nemeth canceling out an earlier goal by Will Bruin. They'll now meet at BBVA Compass Stadium with a shot at the quarterfinals on the line. The winner of the Kansas City vs Houston game will be the ones that get to host the quarterfinal match up against either Dallas or Colorado.
The bracket has been laid out all the way to the finals now with the Plains group being grouped with the West group that includes the Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Portland Timbers, and Seattle Sounders for the semifinal.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Match Day USOC: Return to Action
The Copa America Centenario is officially over for Kansas City as they'll take the field tomorrow against Minnesota United in the fourth round of the US Open Cup. After almost two weeks off since Kansas City's 0-0 draw with the LA Galaxy, Sporting will try to begin to right the ship after a poor run of form in league has seen them win just once in 11 league games. It won't be easy to do against a strong Minnesota United team that is good at home and certainly has an eye towards MLS next year.
United had been having their own league struggles this season, finishing the spring NASL season with a 5-4-1 record good for fourth place in the spring. Minnesota though closed the season out with a 3-1 win at home over Miami, and were 4-1 at home in the spring nine of their 16 goals in those five games. Kansas City will have to be very mindful of Christian Ramirez, Minnesota's all time leading scorer, he finished tied for second in the league in scoring in the spring season. Minnesota also has its share of players with MLS experience like Danny Cruz and experience like Aaron Pitchkolan on the bench. One player KC won't have to worry about is on loan winger, Bernardo Anor who fractured his ankle and will now miss most of the rest of the season.
Kansas City at least went into the break with a bit of a high, stopping the high powered LA offense in their last league game, but KC desperately needs to get the goal scoring going. The club continues to average less than a goal a game this season and while they've created a number of shots they're just not putting enough of them on goal and testing goalkeepers. The style that KC's played with Dom Dwyer in the middle all alone hasn't worked out, so hopefully coming out of this break Peter Vermes has tried to find a way to get Dwyer more support offensively. With Kansas City off until Sunday this weekend we may see quite a few first team players start tomorrow, but do expect some rotation, Vermes had mentioned getting players time with the Swope Park Rangers if they were going to play against Minnesota, he then loaned just one player, Alec Kann to the USL side. Elsewhere, Soni Mustivar has returned and could jump right into the mix since he didn't play a minute in the Copa America, but Nuno Coelho looks set to miss another game for KC.
Number to Remember - 3 - This is just the third away game for Kansas City in their last 18 US Open Cup games. To be fair, KC has won both of those away games, both in Philadelphia, but KC doesn't have a ton of experience playing on the road in this competition, especially against lower level sides, the last time KC did that was against another Minnesota side, the Minnesota Stars in 2009.
Key Match Up - Kevin Ellis vs Christian Ramirez - While former teammate Miguel Ibarra got most of the talk, Ramirez has had his fair share of fans that feel that the forward deserves a call up by Jurgen Klinsmann to the full national team. He's going to be a handful to deal with for Kansas City's centerbacks tomorrow. Ellis will likely get to have many of the responsibilities with him for Kansas City.
PREDICTION - I hope the team used the break well and now have their heads on straighter. They've put themselves into a big hole in league play that they need to start to climb their way out of. With that hill to climb and the Champions League coming up I've seen more than one person suggest just punting in the US Open Cup and focus directly on league play until the Champions League starts and then dividing your focus to multiple competitions. I'm not of that mindset, the Open Cup is still the easiest way to win a trophy, and I love me some trophies. That said I'm not sure that KC has the offense to pull this one out. Until KC shows me otherwise on the field I'm not confident in this team and their ability to win on the road against a strong Minnesota team that has many players that still remember the last time the two teams met a couple years ago. This year I think we see the reverse of that scoreline and KC goes out at the first hurdle.
SKC - 0
MN - 2 (Ramirez, Speas)
United had been having their own league struggles this season, finishing the spring NASL season with a 5-4-1 record good for fourth place in the spring. Minnesota though closed the season out with a 3-1 win at home over Miami, and were 4-1 at home in the spring nine of their 16 goals in those five games. Kansas City will have to be very mindful of Christian Ramirez, Minnesota's all time leading scorer, he finished tied for second in the league in scoring in the spring season. Minnesota also has its share of players with MLS experience like Danny Cruz and experience like Aaron Pitchkolan on the bench. One player KC won't have to worry about is on loan winger, Bernardo Anor who fractured his ankle and will now miss most of the rest of the season.
Kansas City at least went into the break with a bit of a high, stopping the high powered LA offense in their last league game, but KC desperately needs to get the goal scoring going. The club continues to average less than a goal a game this season and while they've created a number of shots they're just not putting enough of them on goal and testing goalkeepers. The style that KC's played with Dom Dwyer in the middle all alone hasn't worked out, so hopefully coming out of this break Peter Vermes has tried to find a way to get Dwyer more support offensively. With Kansas City off until Sunday this weekend we may see quite a few first team players start tomorrow, but do expect some rotation, Vermes had mentioned getting players time with the Swope Park Rangers if they were going to play against Minnesota, he then loaned just one player, Alec Kann to the USL side. Elsewhere, Soni Mustivar has returned and could jump right into the mix since he didn't play a minute in the Copa America, but Nuno Coelho looks set to miss another game for KC.
Hallisey - Dwyer - Mapp
Quintilla - Espinoza
Olum
Sinovic - Ellis - Opara - Myers
Kann
Number to Remember - 3 - This is just the third away game for Kansas City in their last 18 US Open Cup games. To be fair, KC has won both of those away games, both in Philadelphia, but KC doesn't have a ton of experience playing on the road in this competition, especially against lower level sides, the last time KC did that was against another Minnesota side, the Minnesota Stars in 2009.
Key Match Up - Kevin Ellis vs Christian Ramirez - While former teammate Miguel Ibarra got most of the talk, Ramirez has had his fair share of fans that feel that the forward deserves a call up by Jurgen Klinsmann to the full national team. He's going to be a handful to deal with for Kansas City's centerbacks tomorrow. Ellis will likely get to have many of the responsibilities with him for Kansas City.
PREDICTION - I hope the team used the break well and now have their heads on straighter. They've put themselves into a big hole in league play that they need to start to climb their way out of. With that hill to climb and the Champions League coming up I've seen more than one person suggest just punting in the US Open Cup and focus directly on league play until the Champions League starts and then dividing your focus to multiple competitions. I'm not of that mindset, the Open Cup is still the easiest way to win a trophy, and I love me some trophies. That said I'm not sure that KC has the offense to pull this one out. Until KC shows me otherwise on the field I'm not confident in this team and their ability to win on the road against a strong Minnesota team that has many players that still remember the last time the two teams met a couple years ago. This year I think we see the reverse of that scoreline and KC goes out at the first hurdle.
SKC - 0
MN - 2 (Ramirez, Speas)
Wednesday, June 01, 2016
Sporting Traveling North for US Open Cup Defense
Sporting Kansas City will start the defense of their 2015 US Open Cup championship up north against future MLS side Minnesota United. United qualified for the fourth round of the competition by beating St. Louis FC 2-0 tonight in St. Louis. The win avenges their 1-0 loss last year in the same round against St. Louis.
The match up on June 15th will be the second time that KC will face off against this version of a Minnesota minor league soccer team, but the fourth time overall. It'll be KC's first trip up to Minnesota since 2009 when the then Wizards went up and defeated the Minnesota Thunder 3-3 (4-2) on penalty kicks, with Boris Pardo being the hero in the penalty kick shootout.
This time though things will be a little different, United is building their roster for their entrance into MLS next year and will certainly be up for the task this year of knocking off the defending champions, especially in the form Kansas City is in right now. You'd have to think that Minnesota would be considered a close favorite in the early look at this game.
The match up on June 15th will be the second time that KC will face off against this version of a Minnesota minor league soccer team, but the fourth time overall. It'll be KC's first trip up to Minnesota since 2009 when the then Wizards went up and defeated the Minnesota Thunder 3-3 (4-2) on penalty kicks, with Boris Pardo being the hero in the penalty kick shootout.
This time though things will be a little different, United is building their roster for their entrance into MLS next year and will certainly be up for the task this year of knocking off the defending champions, especially in the form Kansas City is in right now. You'd have to think that Minnesota would be considered a close favorite in the early look at this game.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Sporting to Open US Open Cup Defense on the Road
If Sporting Kansas City is going to defend their 2015 US Open Cup, they'll have to start their run in unfamiliar territory. For just the third time since 2009, Sporting Kansas City will have to play a US Open Cup game on the road when they'll travel to either Minnesota or St. Louis for their fourth round US Open Cup match on June 15th. The game will be the first time that KC has played a US Open Cup proper game on the road against someone other than the Philadelphia Union. Since a 2009 trip to Seattle, Sporting KC has played just two of 16 US Open Cup proper games on the road, both against the Union (2012 semifinal and 2015 final). They've also played one US Open Cup qualifier against the Houston Dynamo at Texas A&M back in 2011.
The pair of opponents will be familiar to Kansas City though. Sporting has played both Minnesota United and St. Louis FC in the fourth round of each of the last two US Open Cup games, both wins for Sporting. Back in 2014 Sporting KC took advantage of a Cristiano Dias red card to defeat United 2-0 while last year after St. Louis topped Minnesota in the third round KC got a header goal from Graham Zusi to see them past a stingy St. Louis FC side 1-0 on their way to winning the US Open Cup.
No matter the match up KC get, it won't be easy. Minnesota is building their NASL roster ahead of their move up to MLS next season and will be looking to impress in that game. Meanwhile St. Louis will really utilize the cross state rivalry to really build up the game (and that's something plenty of Kansas City fans are looking forward to). And while it is great to have drivable road trips to do, part of the magic of the US Open Cup and cup competitions in general is playing teams you don't normally play. When you're only ever grouped with one of three teams each and every year it does lose just a bit of its magic, at least for me. The fact that it is on the road this time does add some intrigue to it though.
The pair of opponents will be familiar to Kansas City though. Sporting has played both Minnesota United and St. Louis FC in the fourth round of each of the last two US Open Cup games, both wins for Sporting. Back in 2014 Sporting KC took advantage of a Cristiano Dias red card to defeat United 2-0 while last year after St. Louis topped Minnesota in the third round KC got a header goal from Graham Zusi to see them past a stingy St. Louis FC side 1-0 on their way to winning the US Open Cup.
No matter the match up KC get, it won't be easy. Minnesota is building their NASL roster ahead of their move up to MLS next season and will be looking to impress in that game. Meanwhile St. Louis will really utilize the cross state rivalry to really build up the game (and that's something plenty of Kansas City fans are looking forward to). And while it is great to have drivable road trips to do, part of the magic of the US Open Cup and cup competitions in general is playing teams you don't normally play. When you're only ever grouped with one of three teams each and every year it does lose just a bit of its magic, at least for me. The fact that it is on the road this time does add some intrigue to it though.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Sporting KC, Shootout Kings, Win Another Trophy From the Spot
For the third time in four years Sporting KC will be painting the wall at Sporting Park. This time they did it on the road. Overcoming a poor game overall by the team, KC found a way to win it on penalty kicks, 1-1 (7-6) with summer signing Jordi Quintilla scoring the deciding penalty in the eighth round to give KC the cup.
Things didn't start well for Sporting KC as just minutes into the game Tim Melia had to make a save on the line after Maurice Edu headed a Cristian Maidana corner on goal. KC though had some good chances early on, in fact Paulo Nagamura hit the post in the 12th minute after Graham Zusi brought down a Benny Feilhaber cross and touched it back to Nagamura. His effort pinged off the inside of the post and into the hands of goalkeeper Andre Blake. The Union though started to take over the game and in the 23rd minute grabbed the lead when Vincent Nogueira played a superb ball over the top for Sebastien Le Toux who got in behind Seth Sinovic. Melia was slow to come off his line and Le Toux made him pay burying a shot into the corner. The Union continued to control the half after the goal, pinning KC deep in their own end. Melia came off his line with a big save in the 37th on a similar ball to Le Toux a second time later in the half. Seconds later he was beating away a second shot from Tranquillo Barnetta. The Union went into the half up 1-0 and KC was desperately looking for answers.
In the second half KC came out and really started to play better against the Union. They pushed the game and finally started to get their front three involved in the play. In the 65th they were rewarded as Krisztian Nemeth tied it. Chance Myers got the ball down the right wing and played the ball in to Zusi. Instead of shooting Zusi pushed the ball the rest of the way across the box to Nemeth who one timed a curling effort into the net to make it 1-1. After the goal though the Union started to control the game again and forced KC onto their back foot. The KC defense though held out again with some help from Melia and the 90 minutes ended 1-1.
In extra time there weren't a lot of good chances for either side, the best coming when Edu forced Melia to make another goal line save off another corner kick. And after 120 minutes Sporting KC was headed to another PK shootout. And from there it was a PK clinic put on by both teams. The Union had inserted their USOC hero John McCarthy but really KC didn't give him much opportunity to be there hero with some fantastic PKs. The Union were just as good. Through the first five Le Toux, Feilhaber, Nogueira, and Dom Dwyer all left McCarthy and Melia with no chance. A poor penalty from Edu was saved with the third shot to give KC an edge but Nemeth equaled Edu's poor penalty and after three it was still 2-2. The good penalties continued after that though with Barnetta, Matt Besler, Conor Casey, and Nagamura all leaving the goalkeepers with no chance. Into sudden death teams went with Michael Lahoud and Graham Zusi both scoring to make it 5-5 after six. In the seven round again Raymon Gaddis and Kevin Ellis both scored well placed penalties. In the eighth round though Melia again came up with a save as Andrew Wenger didn't hit the penalty close enough to the corner. For KC, Jordi Quintilla stepped up and as he caught McCarthy leaning to his left slotted the ball calmly to the opposite side and the celebrations were on for KC.
The win is fantastic and will be the main highlight of the season for the team, but the team's play tonight was still rough and didn't instill a ton of confidence going forward for the rest of the season. But that is a discussion for another day after we've all sobered up and finished up celebrating the club's third US Open Cup and their sixth trophy in their history.
Wizards Man of the Match - Tim Melia - A pair of penalty kick saves in the shootout and did very well to keep KC in the game throughout the night. Yes he could have done better on Le Toux's goal but he once again was there when KC really needed it.
Honorable Mention - Matt Besler
Player Ratings - Melia 8, Sinovic 4, Ellis 5, Besler 7, Myers 5, Mustivar 5, Nagamura 6, Feilhaber 5, Nemeth 6, Dwyer 4, Zusi 4. Subs Quintilla 6, Abdul-Salaam 6, Peterson NR.
Things didn't start well for Sporting KC as just minutes into the game Tim Melia had to make a save on the line after Maurice Edu headed a Cristian Maidana corner on goal. KC though had some good chances early on, in fact Paulo Nagamura hit the post in the 12th minute after Graham Zusi brought down a Benny Feilhaber cross and touched it back to Nagamura. His effort pinged off the inside of the post and into the hands of goalkeeper Andre Blake. The Union though started to take over the game and in the 23rd minute grabbed the lead when Vincent Nogueira played a superb ball over the top for Sebastien Le Toux who got in behind Seth Sinovic. Melia was slow to come off his line and Le Toux made him pay burying a shot into the corner. The Union continued to control the half after the goal, pinning KC deep in their own end. Melia came off his line with a big save in the 37th on a similar ball to Le Toux a second time later in the half. Seconds later he was beating away a second shot from Tranquillo Barnetta. The Union went into the half up 1-0 and KC was desperately looking for answers.
In the second half KC came out and really started to play better against the Union. They pushed the game and finally started to get their front three involved in the play. In the 65th they were rewarded as Krisztian Nemeth tied it. Chance Myers got the ball down the right wing and played the ball in to Zusi. Instead of shooting Zusi pushed the ball the rest of the way across the box to Nemeth who one timed a curling effort into the net to make it 1-1. After the goal though the Union started to control the game again and forced KC onto their back foot. The KC defense though held out again with some help from Melia and the 90 minutes ended 1-1.
In extra time there weren't a lot of good chances for either side, the best coming when Edu forced Melia to make another goal line save off another corner kick. And after 120 minutes Sporting KC was headed to another PK shootout. And from there it was a PK clinic put on by both teams. The Union had inserted their USOC hero John McCarthy but really KC didn't give him much opportunity to be there hero with some fantastic PKs. The Union were just as good. Through the first five Le Toux, Feilhaber, Nogueira, and Dom Dwyer all left McCarthy and Melia with no chance. A poor penalty from Edu was saved with the third shot to give KC an edge but Nemeth equaled Edu's poor penalty and after three it was still 2-2. The good penalties continued after that though with Barnetta, Matt Besler, Conor Casey, and Nagamura all leaving the goalkeepers with no chance. Into sudden death teams went with Michael Lahoud and Graham Zusi both scoring to make it 5-5 after six. In the seven round again Raymon Gaddis and Kevin Ellis both scored well placed penalties. In the eighth round though Melia again came up with a save as Andrew Wenger didn't hit the penalty close enough to the corner. For KC, Jordi Quintilla stepped up and as he caught McCarthy leaning to his left slotted the ball calmly to the opposite side and the celebrations were on for KC.
The win is fantastic and will be the main highlight of the season for the team, but the team's play tonight was still rough and didn't instill a ton of confidence going forward for the rest of the season. But that is a discussion for another day after we've all sobered up and finished up celebrating the club's third US Open Cup and their sixth trophy in their history.
Wizards Man of the Match - Tim Melia - A pair of penalty kick saves in the shootout and did very well to keep KC in the game throughout the night. Yes he could have done better on Le Toux's goal but he once again was there when KC really needed it.
Honorable Mention - Matt Besler
Player Ratings - Melia 8, Sinovic 4, Ellis 5, Besler 7, Myers 5, Mustivar 5, Nagamura 6, Feilhaber 5, Nemeth 6, Dwyer 4, Zusi 4. Subs Quintilla 6, Abdul-Salaam 6, Peterson NR.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Match Day US Open Cup: Can SKC Claim the Cup
For the third time in four seasons, Sporting Kansas City find themselves playing in a cup final. Tomorrow night they'll try to win their third US Open Cup when they take on the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. It'll be the first time that KC will be attempting to win the trophy on the road having won the 2004 and 2012 trophies at Arrowhead and Sporting Park respectively.
They'll be playing a Union side that did similar to what KC did on the weekend, playing a number of reserves and earning themselves a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution. Resting the likes of CJ Sapong and Maurice Edu while the likes of Cristian Maidana and Sebastien Le Toux played a minimal role, both playing 45 minutes or less. So the majority of Philadelphia's starting 11 will be rested headed into tomorrow's game. With Philadelphia virtually out of the playoff race all of their hopes for the season rely on their "unfinished business" in their second straight US Open Cup final.
Sporting on the other hand are still fighting for not just playoff positioning, but a spot in the playoffs. The point against Seattle on Sunday keeps Kansas City ahead of Portland for the fifth spot in the West, but their one win in the last seven games has Kansas City in a lot of trouble. Still, KC's reserves were able to give KC's starters a rest and still pick up a point. Now the majority of Sporting's lineup will be heading into Philadelphia with a week of rest and ready to go.
Number to Remember - 1,000 - That's the reported number of traveling KC fans. 800 from the Cauldron and another 200 family and friends of the players. A huge number of fans will certainly be a boost to Sporting KC.
PREDICTION - With where both teams currently are in the table this game will likely be the defining moment in both teams' season. The winner will be able to use the trophy as a sign of a successful season while the loser will be left to rue miss opportunities and likely a season without a trophy. On paper KC really is the better team, but being at home certainly has its advantage. Sporting relied on two late goals to pick up a win in KC but both teams are quite different now. This game, like many cup finals will be close and KC is really going to need to break out of their first half slump to have a chance tomorrow. The longer the game stays scoreless or if the Union grab an early lead the hill is going to become much more difficult to climb. I think Sporting does have just enough left to pull out the win tomorrow and lift more silverware.
SKC - 2 (Dwyer, Nemeth)
PHI - 1 (Le Toux)
After extra time.
They'll be playing a Union side that did similar to what KC did on the weekend, playing a number of reserves and earning themselves a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution. Resting the likes of CJ Sapong and Maurice Edu while the likes of Cristian Maidana and Sebastien Le Toux played a minimal role, both playing 45 minutes or less. So the majority of Philadelphia's starting 11 will be rested headed into tomorrow's game. With Philadelphia virtually out of the playoff race all of their hopes for the season rely on their "unfinished business" in their second straight US Open Cup final.
Sporting on the other hand are still fighting for not just playoff positioning, but a spot in the playoffs. The point against Seattle on Sunday keeps Kansas City ahead of Portland for the fifth spot in the West, but their one win in the last seven games has Kansas City in a lot of trouble. Still, KC's reserves were able to give KC's starters a rest and still pick up a point. Now the majority of Sporting's lineup will be heading into Philadelphia with a week of rest and ready to go.
Nemeth - Dwyer - Zusi
Feilhaber - Nagamura
Mustivar
Sinovic - Besler - Ellis - Myers
Melia
Number to Remember - 1,000 - That's the reported number of traveling KC fans. 800 from the Cauldron and another 200 family and friends of the players. A huge number of fans will certainly be a boost to Sporting KC.
PREDICTION - With where both teams currently are in the table this game will likely be the defining moment in both teams' season. The winner will be able to use the trophy as a sign of a successful season while the loser will be left to rue miss opportunities and likely a season without a trophy. On paper KC really is the better team, but being at home certainly has its advantage. Sporting relied on two late goals to pick up a win in KC but both teams are quite different now. This game, like many cup finals will be close and KC is really going to need to break out of their first half slump to have a chance tomorrow. The longer the game stays scoreless or if the Union grab an early lead the hill is going to become much more difficult to climb. I think Sporting does have just enough left to pull out the win tomorrow and lift more silverware.
SKC - 2 (Dwyer, Nemeth)
PHI - 1 (Le Toux)
After extra time.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
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.
Thursday, September 03, 2015
#TBT The US Open Cup 1997
With the US Open Cup final later this month, and Sporting KC doing a count down with posts each day this month heading into the US Open Cup final, I thought I'd do a Throw Back Thursday today on an old US Open Cup video I found the other day while doing some other work.
I'm going way back into the vault with this one, most die hard fans and 96ers probably haven't even seen this game. I'm going all the way back to 1997 with this one. While over the last five years KC has won at least one game in the US Open Cup each year it wasn't always that way. For the first five years of the club's existence the club didn't win a single game in the Open Cup. They went 0-3-1 and didn't compete in the 1999 version of the tournament. Of those four games, three of them were against lower division teams.
On July 24th, 1997, the Wizards traveled to Negoesco Field in San Francisco, to take on the San Francisco Bay Seals. The Wizards were one of the better teams in MLS at the time with a record of 13-7 (no draws, ties were settled by the shootout).
KC put out a strong lineup on the field against the Seals, with the likes of Preki, Frank Klopas, Mo Johnston, and Mark Chung all in the lineup for KC. For the Seals, the most noteworthy name was future Chicago Fire great, CJ Brown.
The Seals grabbed an early lead when Marquis White beat the offside line and raced onto a through ball, slotting it under goalkeeper Chris Snitko to make it 1-0. Klopas would score a goal for KC to tie things up in the 40th minute as both teams would go into half time tied at 1-1.
In the second half, KC didn't learn from their high line in the first half and White made them pay again. On another through ball White beat the offside trap. This time Snitko was quick off his line but White took a touch around him. Then from a tight angle White fired a shot into the net right in front of a sliding Sean Bowers who was trying to clear the ball away. The goal was all the Seals needed to advance on to the quarterfinals to take on the San Jose Clash.
For KC, they would have to deal with a loss to another lower division side, the Nashville Metros and a penalty kick loss to the Chicago Sockers of the PDL before getting their first win in the US Open Cup in 2001 against the Seattle Sounders.
Here's KC's lineup for that game against the Seals:
Chris Snitko, Ryan Tinsley, Matt McKeon, Sean Bowers, Steve Pittman, Uche Okafor (Brian Johnson 75), Mark Chung, Preki, Frank Klopas, Mo Johnston, Paul Wright.
Here are the two goals that the Seals scored, unfortunately they didn't include the Klopas goal.
I'm going way back into the vault with this one, most die hard fans and 96ers probably haven't even seen this game. I'm going all the way back to 1997 with this one. While over the last five years KC has won at least one game in the US Open Cup each year it wasn't always that way. For the first five years of the club's existence the club didn't win a single game in the Open Cup. They went 0-3-1 and didn't compete in the 1999 version of the tournament. Of those four games, three of them were against lower division teams.
On July 24th, 1997, the Wizards traveled to Negoesco Field in San Francisco, to take on the San Francisco Bay Seals. The Wizards were one of the better teams in MLS at the time with a record of 13-7 (no draws, ties were settled by the shootout).
KC put out a strong lineup on the field against the Seals, with the likes of Preki, Frank Klopas, Mo Johnston, and Mark Chung all in the lineup for KC. For the Seals, the most noteworthy name was future Chicago Fire great, CJ Brown.
The Seals grabbed an early lead when Marquis White beat the offside line and raced onto a through ball, slotting it under goalkeeper Chris Snitko to make it 1-0. Klopas would score a goal for KC to tie things up in the 40th minute as both teams would go into half time tied at 1-1.
In the second half, KC didn't learn from their high line in the first half and White made them pay again. On another through ball White beat the offside trap. This time Snitko was quick off his line but White took a touch around him. Then from a tight angle White fired a shot into the net right in front of a sliding Sean Bowers who was trying to clear the ball away. The goal was all the Seals needed to advance on to the quarterfinals to take on the San Jose Clash.
For KC, they would have to deal with a loss to another lower division side, the Nashville Metros and a penalty kick loss to the Chicago Sockers of the PDL before getting their first win in the US Open Cup in 2001 against the Seattle Sounders.
Here's KC's lineup for that game against the Seals:
Chris Snitko, Ryan Tinsley, Matt McKeon, Sean Bowers, Steve Pittman, Uche Okafor (Brian Johnson 75), Mark Chung, Preki, Frank Klopas, Mo Johnston, Paul Wright.
Here are the two goals that the Seals scored, unfortunately they didn't include the Klopas goal.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Sporting Move on to the US Open Cup Final
For the second time in four years, Sporting KC is returning to the US Open Cup final after a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake last night at Sporting Park. With the win, Sporting will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Union on September 30th in hopes of bringing home their third piece of silverware in the last four years and the club's sixth overall. It wasn't an easy game for KC as Salt Lake did a good job of containing KC's attacking and relying on Nick Rimando in goal to keep KC at bay for most of the game, but late goals by Benny Feilhaber and Krisztian Nemeth saw Kansas City through.
The early part of the game saw both teams create some chances but neither able to capitalize, Soni Mustivar put a header over the bar from close range off a corner kick, Nemeth forced a save from Rimando off another free kick, and Sebastian Jaime forced a kick save out of Tim Melia. The early feel out period though ended in the 24th minute when Tony Beltran picked out Olmes Garcia with a long ball over the top. Garcia had been marked by Kevin Ellis who appeared to misjudge the flight of the ball and allowed Garcia to easily get in behind him and into the box one on one with Melia. Garcia slotted the ball past Melia and put RSL on top. After the goal, KC stepped up the play and started to take over more of the game. The lead lasted 11 minutes for RSL before KC equalized. After Nemeth was fouled near the corner flag by RSL defender Aaron Maund, Feilhaber played a driven free kick into the box where Mustivar raced onto it, beating Rimando to it and heading it into the empty net to put KC level. KC continued to be the more aggressive side but was unable to really test Rimando the rest of the half.
KC continued to be the side pushing the game in the second half and creating the better chances, Nemeth almost put KC up in the 49th. After being played in behind the RSL defense, Nemeth chipped Rimando and the ball was rolling into the net, but Beltran, who was trailing the play was able to clear it away with a sliding challenge. When his defense wasn't helping him out, Rimando was making KC's life difficult, denying efforts from Nemeth, Feilhaber, Dom Dwyer, and Jacob Peterson at different times throughout the half. The best of those probably came in the 71st when Dwyer collected a low Connor Hallisey cross, held off his defender and squared the ball for Nemeth. The Hungarian looked to pick out the corner but had his shot deflect off a defender and out for a corner. To finally beat Rimando a second time it took a great individual effort and the post to do it. Dwyer brought a ball down at midfield in front of RSL defender Elias Vasquez, he proceeded to turn and race towards the sideline before cutting inside in front of Vasquez, he shrugged off a shirt pull and then cut around Maund at the top of the box before firing a shot that hit the inside of the post past Rimando. The ball bounced back into the middle of the box where Feilhaber had run unmarked into the box and fired the ball into the net to put KC on top. RSL now had to throw numbers forward looking to get back into the game, but another mistake at the back allowed KC to grab a third. Feilhaber cleared a long ball up field towards Nemeth and Dwyer. Maund attempted to play the ball back to Rimando with his head, but did not get enough of it. Instead Nemeth raced onto the ball as Rimando pushed out on him. Nemeth danced on the ball before cutting around Rimando, taking another touch and firing the ball into the net to make it 3-1. Things started to get a little physical late on as Melia was knocked down in the box trying to claim a ball in the air. Then in stoppage time after he had played the ball away, Feilhaber was run into by RSL forward, Garcia. Without hesitation the forward was sent off and RSL finished the final minutes down a man as KC advanced to the final.
Wizards Man of the Match - Benny Feilhaber - Played a role in all three goals for KC again last night, scoring one, assisting another, and playing the ball in that led to the third, Feilhaber continues his MVP form.
Honorable Mention - Soni Mustivar
Player Ratings - Melia 6, Abdul-Salaam 6, Ellis 7, Besler 7, Dia 7, Mustivar 8, Nagamura 6, Feilhaber 8, Peterson 6, Dwyer 6, Nemeth 7. Subs Hallisey 5, Myers NR, de Jong NR.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Match Day USOC: Another Rivalry Renewed
For the second round in a row of the US Open Cup Sporting KC will face off against an opponent that they've developed an on the field rivalry with. Last round it was the Houston Dynamo visiting Sporting Park, tomorrow night it will be Real Salt Lake stepping onto the field at Sporting Park with a spot in the US Open Cup finals on the line.
Salt Lake comes into the game set to play their fourth straight game on the road over the last two weeks in four different cities. The team has traveled from Salt Lake to DC, to Guatemala, to Vancouver. They lost two of those three, losing 6-4 in DC and 4-0 in Vancouver. In between Salt Lake pulled off a 1-0 win in Guatemala. In Vancouver this past weekend though Salt Lake put out a primarily reserve lineup that didn't consist of Nick Rimando, Kyle Becerkman, Javier Morales, Joao Plata or others, that group stayed behind in Salt Lake to rest after the trip to Guatemala ahead of tomorrow's game. They will likely need that rest with RSL being one of the weaker teams on the road this year, currently sitting with a -16 goal difference in league play and a 1-9-2 away from Rio Tinto.
KC on the other hand continues to be undefeated at home with a 7-0-4 record in league play at Sporting Park this year. Unlike RSL against Vancouver though KC put out as close to a first team as they really could against Toronto on the weekend. Four normal starters were missing from the lineup for KC though. Luckily, two of those four should be returning tomorrow night with Dom Dwyer having been suspended vs Toronto and Amadou Dia sat in favor of Jimmy Medranda. Roger Espinoza the third missing is suspended for this game, but is also injured. The question will be Graham Zusi who was a late scratch against Toronto due to a calf injury. Zusi's availability will be a big question for tomorrow's game, even though he's not had the best season he's still a difference maker for the team that will be missed if he can't go.
Number to Remember - 90 - 90 minutes from a cup final, that's all that matters.
Key Match Up - Benny Feilhaber vs Kyle Beckerman - Feilhaber has a goal and an assist in the three games against RSL this year. The MVP candidate will need to get the better of the RSL captain and USMNT defensive midfielder again and be the leader of the team tomorrow. KC's leaned on him all year and tomorrow won't be much different.
PREDICTION - RSL has won just once in Kansas City in their club's history, KC has tended to have a good luck against them. Unfortunately KC hasn't technically beaten them at home since 2012, they've played to three straight draws, including MLS Cup 2013. The last two games have been 0-0 draws where RSL has really not shown much interest in attacking KC's goal. Obviously in a win or go home situation that can't quite just do that. That may open up some more chances for KC to punish them. It certainly won't be an easy game and extra time tomorrow would not be a surprise at all between the two. In the end I think KC will do just enough to get through and win a trip to either Chicago or Philadelphia for the final.
AET
SKC - 2 (Dwyer, Nemeth)
RSL - 1 (Plata)
Salt Lake comes into the game set to play their fourth straight game on the road over the last two weeks in four different cities. The team has traveled from Salt Lake to DC, to Guatemala, to Vancouver. They lost two of those three, losing 6-4 in DC and 4-0 in Vancouver. In between Salt Lake pulled off a 1-0 win in Guatemala. In Vancouver this past weekend though Salt Lake put out a primarily reserve lineup that didn't consist of Nick Rimando, Kyle Becerkman, Javier Morales, Joao Plata or others, that group stayed behind in Salt Lake to rest after the trip to Guatemala ahead of tomorrow's game. They will likely need that rest with RSL being one of the weaker teams on the road this year, currently sitting with a -16 goal difference in league play and a 1-9-2 away from Rio Tinto.
KC on the other hand continues to be undefeated at home with a 7-0-4 record in league play at Sporting Park this year. Unlike RSL against Vancouver though KC put out as close to a first team as they really could against Toronto on the weekend. Four normal starters were missing from the lineup for KC though. Luckily, two of those four should be returning tomorrow night with Dom Dwyer having been suspended vs Toronto and Amadou Dia sat in favor of Jimmy Medranda. Roger Espinoza the third missing is suspended for this game, but is also injured. The question will be Graham Zusi who was a late scratch against Toronto due to a calf injury. Zusi's availability will be a big question for tomorrow's game, even though he's not had the best season he's still a difference maker for the team that will be missed if he can't go.
Nemeth - Dwyer - Peterson
Nagamura - Feilhaber
Mustivar
Dia - Besler - Ellis - Myers
Melia
Number to Remember - 90 - 90 minutes from a cup final, that's all that matters.
Key Match Up - Benny Feilhaber vs Kyle Beckerman - Feilhaber has a goal and an assist in the three games against RSL this year. The MVP candidate will need to get the better of the RSL captain and USMNT defensive midfielder again and be the leader of the team tomorrow. KC's leaned on him all year and tomorrow won't be much different.
PREDICTION - RSL has won just once in Kansas City in their club's history, KC has tended to have a good luck against them. Unfortunately KC hasn't technically beaten them at home since 2012, they've played to three straight draws, including MLS Cup 2013. The last two games have been 0-0 draws where RSL has really not shown much interest in attacking KC's goal. Obviously in a win or go home situation that can't quite just do that. That may open up some more chances for KC to punish them. It certainly won't be an easy game and extra time tomorrow would not be a surprise at all between the two. In the end I think KC will do just enough to get through and win a trip to either Chicago or Philadelphia for the final.
AET
SKC - 2 (Dwyer, Nemeth)
RSL - 1 (Plata)
Wednesday, August 05, 2015
If Sporting Advance the US Open Cup Final is on the Road
Today US Soccer held the draw for the US Open Cup final. The draw, involving an envelope with each team's logo on a sheet of paper was drawn in order for hosting priority. Unfortunately for Kansas City they were drawn fourth, meaning that no matter what, KC would travel for the US Open Cup final if they defeat Real Salt Lake next week.
This would be KC's first road game in the tournament since the 2012 season when they defeated the Union 2-0 in the semifinals on their way to the championship. It'd also be only their second since the team became Sporting KC (they also played a US Open Cup qualifier on the road in Houston in 2011).
KC fans are already rooting for KC to win and Fire to pull out the road win to set up a rematch of the 2004 US Open Cup final, this time in Chicago. It'd certainly be an easier trip for more fans to make than a trip to Philadelphia for a midweek game. First they obviously have to take care of business next Wednesday against Salt Lake.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Espinoza's Punch
One of the big talking points of last night's win was the altercation around the 65th minute that involved Sporting KC's Roger Espinoza. In the 66th minute, with KC trailing 1-0, Sporting was driving forward looking for an equalizer. As Espinoza moved forward, playing the ball ahead to Dom Dwyer, he ran into Ricardo Clark, who had raised his elbow as Espinoza ran into him. Seconds later, Dwyer was fouled by Leonel Miranda in a very dangerous position at the top of the box.
Espinoza though had taken exception to the fact that Clark had raised his elbow up as Espinoza came in. With Clark already on a yellow at the time, Espinoza seems to have felt that the challenge was a foul itself and should have resulted in Clark being the second Houston Dynamo player to be sent off on the night and Espinoza let Clark know about it. David Horst came in and gave Espinoza a shove to separate the two players as the two teams came together. Referee Ted Unkel stepped in and attempted to regain order. For a moment it appeared that he had as the players started to get set up for the free kick. Then on the broadcast the camera angle changes to show the entire team and you catch Espinoza and Brad Davis together with Espinoza appearing to throw a punch at the Dynamo captain and landing on his chin. Davis and his teammates immediately throw their hands up looking to see if the referee saw it, but Unkel had his back to the pair getting the play set up for the free kick. You can see the punch in slo-mo here.
From there Unkel pulled the two aside with Sporting captain Matt Besler and told the two to calm down. Seconds after he was done though Davis was back in Espinoza's face and eventually Unkel just gave both Espinoza and Davis a yellow card.
In reality, Espinoza was lucky to stay on the field (and you can argue the same about Clark since he was already on a yellow at the time) for the punch he threw against Davis. And I'd suspect that US Soccer will review the tape and Espinoza is likely going to miss time in the US Open Cup. I would expect Espinoza to miss at least the semifinal against Real Salt Lake on August 12th due to a retroactive suspension, and wouldn't be surprised if he's out longer when US Soccer comes down with their review of the incident. US Soccer hasn't ruled on an incident like this in the recent past, but they have recently handed down suspensions to Clint Dempsey and Cuauhtémoc Blanco. Both players received six game or two year suspensions from the US Open Cup, whichever is longer, Dempsey for taking the referee's book and tearing it, while Blanco was suspended for punching DC United player Clyde Simms and poking him in the eye, he also head butted a DC United employee as he was being escorted off the field.
Hopefully any suspension for Espinoza isn't anywhere near that severe, but we'll see, if he is suspended KC at least has Paulo Nagamura available to step into his role in the midfield if Espinoza is out.
The Name of the Game is Survive and Advance
Survive and advance, that's the cliche that a lot of people use went it comes to advancing in a knockout tournament, you don't always need to play well, you just need to survive and advance. That's exactly what Sporting KC did last night at Sporting Park against the Houston Dynamo. They weren't playing their best soccer of the year by far, but an early red card by the Dynamo and some tired legs late allowed KC to advance to the US Open Cup semifinals with a 3-1 win over the Houston club.
The first half of the game was an extremely ugly game to watch from both teams, neither side was creating much in the way of chances, and the build up play was not pretty either. The Dynamo controlled the early part of the game though, winning a number of set pieces and corners in KC's end of the field. It seemed that KC hadn't learned their lesson from their 4-4 draw in Houston earlier this year and not giving Houston a bunch of set pieces with Brad Davis serving in set pieces. The game changed in the 30th minute though as Luis Garrido tried to win the ball off Benny Feilhaber, the ball got played back to Amadou Dia, Garrido followed the ball and as Dia released it, Garrido came in with a sliding challenge with his studs up, going through Dia completely missing the ball. Referee Ted Unkel went to his back pocket and handed Garrido a straight red card for his actions putting the Dynamo down to 10 men. From there, KC started to control and dominate play, but they still struggled to create chances as the first half ended 0-0 with neither team recording a shot on goal.
The second half saw KC continue to dominate play and keep Houston in their end of the field. The Dynamo relied on counters to get any chances at KC's net. In the 58th they won themselves a corner after a poor back pass by Matt Besler. Off the ensuing set piece, the Dynamo made KC pay for one set piece too many. Davis played corner right into the middle of the box for Ricardo Clark, the midfielder put his header on frame but was blocked on the line by Roger Espinoza, the rebound fell to Will Bruin who knocked his effort between Espinoza and Tim Melia to make it 1-0 to the Dynamo. KC went back to the attack and minutes later had won a penalty kick and a chance to equalize after Davis brought down Chance Myers in the box. Dom Dwyer stepped up to take the spot kick, but his kick was poor, not in either corner and at a comfortable level for Joe Willis to make an easy save keeping Houston on top. It wouldn't be a Houston vs KC game without a small dust up though and in the 65th minute, Espinoza was taken down by an elbow by Clark. In the ensuing scuffle between the two teams, Davis and Espinoza got into it a bit and it appears that Espinoza threw a punch at Davis which none of the referees saw. Both Davis and Espinoza received a yellow card on the play. The Dynamo were starting to tire though, many of the players had gone 90 minutes on the weekend against Salt Lake and the heavy legs began to show. In the 71st, Clark was late to react to a through ball by Besler as he slid late, missing the ball as it slipped through to Feilhaber. The missed tackle gave Feilhaber time at the top of the box to pick his corner and he buried his shot low past Willis to tie the game at 1-1. From there Sporting continued to control and always looked the more likely team to find a second as they kept Houston pinned deep. Finally in the 86th, KC was able to capitalize on their possession again and take the lead. Dia played a nice ball into the middle for Krisztian Nemeth who flicked the ball with the outside of his foot into the path of Dwyer as he ran into the box. Dwyer took a touch and made no mistake slotting the ball into the near corner past Willis and giving KC a 2-1 lead. Two minutes later with the Dynamo looking tired and defeated, KC made it 3-1 as Dwyer received a pass from Espinoza and picked out Nemeth in the box, Nemeth settled the ball and fired a shot towards the far corner. On the way through though the ball took a big deflection off of Houston defender, AJ Cochran and deflected into the middle of the goal. With Willis having already commited on the initial shot he had no chance to adjust as the ball went into the net sealing the game for KC. KC now move on to the semifinals where they'll host Real Salt Lake for a chance at the finals.
Wizards Man of the Match - Benny Feilhaber - Seemed to put the team on his back last night, especially after they had gone down a goal, he was trying to will a goal to happen with his play. He was rewarded with the tying goal, but overall carried the team last night when it looked sluggish.
Player Ratings - Melia 5, Myers 6, Ellis 4, Besler 4, Dia 5, Mustivar 5, Espinoza 5, Feilhaber 7, Hallisey 4, Dwyer 6, Nemeth 6. Subs Peterson 6, Nagamura NR, Abdul-Salaam NR.
The first half of the game was an extremely ugly game to watch from both teams, neither side was creating much in the way of chances, and the build up play was not pretty either. The Dynamo controlled the early part of the game though, winning a number of set pieces and corners in KC's end of the field. It seemed that KC hadn't learned their lesson from their 4-4 draw in Houston earlier this year and not giving Houston a bunch of set pieces with Brad Davis serving in set pieces. The game changed in the 30th minute though as Luis Garrido tried to win the ball off Benny Feilhaber, the ball got played back to Amadou Dia, Garrido followed the ball and as Dia released it, Garrido came in with a sliding challenge with his studs up, going through Dia completely missing the ball. Referee Ted Unkel went to his back pocket and handed Garrido a straight red card for his actions putting the Dynamo down to 10 men. From there, KC started to control and dominate play, but they still struggled to create chances as the first half ended 0-0 with neither team recording a shot on goal.
The second half saw KC continue to dominate play and keep Houston in their end of the field. The Dynamo relied on counters to get any chances at KC's net. In the 58th they won themselves a corner after a poor back pass by Matt Besler. Off the ensuing set piece, the Dynamo made KC pay for one set piece too many. Davis played corner right into the middle of the box for Ricardo Clark, the midfielder put his header on frame but was blocked on the line by Roger Espinoza, the rebound fell to Will Bruin who knocked his effort between Espinoza and Tim Melia to make it 1-0 to the Dynamo. KC went back to the attack and minutes later had won a penalty kick and a chance to equalize after Davis brought down Chance Myers in the box. Dom Dwyer stepped up to take the spot kick, but his kick was poor, not in either corner and at a comfortable level for Joe Willis to make an easy save keeping Houston on top. It wouldn't be a Houston vs KC game without a small dust up though and in the 65th minute, Espinoza was taken down by an elbow by Clark. In the ensuing scuffle between the two teams, Davis and Espinoza got into it a bit and it appears that Espinoza threw a punch at Davis which none of the referees saw. Both Davis and Espinoza received a yellow card on the play. The Dynamo were starting to tire though, many of the players had gone 90 minutes on the weekend against Salt Lake and the heavy legs began to show. In the 71st, Clark was late to react to a through ball by Besler as he slid late, missing the ball as it slipped through to Feilhaber. The missed tackle gave Feilhaber time at the top of the box to pick his corner and he buried his shot low past Willis to tie the game at 1-1. From there Sporting continued to control and always looked the more likely team to find a second as they kept Houston pinned deep. Finally in the 86th, KC was able to capitalize on their possession again and take the lead. Dia played a nice ball into the middle for Krisztian Nemeth who flicked the ball with the outside of his foot into the path of Dwyer as he ran into the box. Dwyer took a touch and made no mistake slotting the ball into the near corner past Willis and giving KC a 2-1 lead. Two minutes later with the Dynamo looking tired and defeated, KC made it 3-1 as Dwyer received a pass from Espinoza and picked out Nemeth in the box, Nemeth settled the ball and fired a shot towards the far corner. On the way through though the ball took a big deflection off of Houston defender, AJ Cochran and deflected into the middle of the goal. With Willis having already commited on the initial shot he had no chance to adjust as the ball went into the net sealing the game for KC. KC now move on to the semifinals where they'll host Real Salt Lake for a chance at the finals.
Wizards Man of the Match - Benny Feilhaber - Seemed to put the team on his back last night, especially after they had gone down a goal, he was trying to will a goal to happen with his play. He was rewarded with the tying goal, but overall carried the team last night when it looked sluggish.
Player Ratings - Melia 5, Myers 6, Ellis 4, Besler 4, Dia 5, Mustivar 5, Espinoza 5, Feilhaber 7, Hallisey 4, Dwyer 6, Nemeth 6. Subs Peterson 6, Nagamura NR, Abdul-Salaam NR.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Match Day USOC: KC Welcome a Familiar Rival
For the fourth time in five years, Sporting Kansas City welcome the Houston Dynamo to Sporting Park for a knock out game. This time the game is a US Open Cup quarterfinal match tomorrow night, with the winner hosting Real Salt Lake in the competitions semifinal.
Both teams come into the game having had a competitive game on the weekend, Houston was in Salt Lake for a league game against RSL. Houston put out the best lineup that they had available with injuries and call ups and ended up losing 2-0. They travel to KC for their second game in eight days in three cities when they come into Sporting Park tomorrow. They will have designated player, Erick Torres available for the game and he could make his debut for the Dynamo tomorrow night. With them having an important game against the Galaxy at home on Saturday, their lineup could be another mix, as much as they can.
KC is just as busy as Houston is, they're playing their second of three games in seven days tomorrow night before a trip to Salt Lake for a game this Friday. They're in a situation similar to Houston in the fact that they just don't have a lot of depth right now, although they're getting healthier with Paulo Nagamura and Chance Myers returning from injury and Marcel de Jong back from the Gold Cup. Two of those three I'd think would get the start tomorrow night and I wouldn't be surprised if all three of them start for KC tomorrow as Peter Vermes has to have a bit of an eye towards Friday and the trip to RSL, even if the Open Cup is a priority this year.
Number to Remember - 29 - This is the number of times that KC and Houston will have played in all competitions after tomorrow's game. That's the most games against any team in the Dynamo's history.
Key Match Up - KC Defense vs Erick Torres - The former Chivas USA forward joined the Dynamo after Chivas ceased operations, but he's yet to play a game for the Dynamo as he's been on loan with Chivas Guadalajara as part of the deal that saw MLS permanently purchase his contract. He's not available to play for Houston and traveled with the club for this trip to Salt Lake and KC. If he plays tomorrow, KC's defense is going to need to be on top of their game to take care of business.
PREDICTION - Both teams are in an extremely busy part of the their schedule and both will probably need to use some of the depth that neither really has at the moment. Still, at home, with the home form that KC has shown this year, this is a game that KC should be able to win, they haven't had to travel from Saturday to today, they've gotten to stay at home. It may not be pretty tomorrow, but it's a game that KC should be able to take.
SKC - 2 (Dwyer, Feilhaber)
HOU - 1 (Davis)
Both teams come into the game having had a competitive game on the weekend, Houston was in Salt Lake for a league game against RSL. Houston put out the best lineup that they had available with injuries and call ups and ended up losing 2-0. They travel to KC for their second game in eight days in three cities when they come into Sporting Park tomorrow. They will have designated player, Erick Torres available for the game and he could make his debut for the Dynamo tomorrow night. With them having an important game against the Galaxy at home on Saturday, their lineup could be another mix, as much as they can.
KC is just as busy as Houston is, they're playing their second of three games in seven days tomorrow night before a trip to Salt Lake for a game this Friday. They're in a situation similar to Houston in the fact that they just don't have a lot of depth right now, although they're getting healthier with Paulo Nagamura and Chance Myers returning from injury and Marcel de Jong back from the Gold Cup. Two of those three I'd think would get the start tomorrow night and I wouldn't be surprised if all three of them start for KC tomorrow as Peter Vermes has to have a bit of an eye towards Friday and the trip to RSL, even if the Open Cup is a priority this year.
Melia
Myers - Ellis - Besler - de Jong
Mustivar
Nagamura - Feilhaber
Hallisey - Dwyer - Nemeth
Number to Remember - 29 - This is the number of times that KC and Houston will have played in all competitions after tomorrow's game. That's the most games against any team in the Dynamo's history.
Key Match Up - KC Defense vs Erick Torres - The former Chivas USA forward joined the Dynamo after Chivas ceased operations, but he's yet to play a game for the Dynamo as he's been on loan with Chivas Guadalajara as part of the deal that saw MLS permanently purchase his contract. He's not available to play for Houston and traveled with the club for this trip to Salt Lake and KC. If he plays tomorrow, KC's defense is going to need to be on top of their game to take care of business.
PREDICTION - Both teams are in an extremely busy part of the their schedule and both will probably need to use some of the depth that neither really has at the moment. Still, at home, with the home form that KC has shown this year, this is a game that KC should be able to win, they haven't had to travel from Saturday to today, they've gotten to stay at home. It may not be pretty tomorrow, but it's a game that KC should be able to take.
SKC - 2 (Dwyer, Feilhaber)
HOU - 1 (Davis)
Thursday, July 02, 2015
Sporting Cruise into the USOC Quarterfinals
Behind a record setting performance by Dom Dwyer, Sporting KC cruised to a 6-2 win over FC Dallas in the 5th round of the US Open Cup. Sporting will now host the Houston Dynamo in the quarterfinals later this month with a chance to advance to their fourth US Open Cup semifinal in club history.
Sporting got things started off quickly when Dwyer scored his first goal of the night in just the fifth minute. Off a Benny Feilhaber corner kick Dwyer got himself space at the back post and was able to head it past Chris Seitz in the Dallas net to put KC up 1-0. KC continued the pressure and almost made it 2-0 shortly after, as a cross came into the box where Jacob Peterson met it, but Seitz had done a good job coming off his line and making himself big, blocking the shot. Dallas couldn't hold out forever though with only four regular starters, KC found the back of the net again in the 30th minute off another set piece. Feilhaber played the ball towards the back post, Seitz came for the ball, but Dwyer beat him to it heading it past him and into the net to put KC up 2-0. About 10 minutes later, he would get to make it 3-0. After being fouled just inside the box by Moises Hernandez for a shove as the KC forward was played into the box, Dwyer stepped up himself and buried the penalty to finish off his first half hattrick, the team's first hattrick since 2010. KC wasn't done in the first half either as Krisztian Nemeth got in on the action in first half stoppage time. After Feilhaber played in Peterson down the line, Peterson was able to get into the box and laid a nice ball off to Nemeth in the middle of the box for him to slot into the net as Seitz committed towards Peterson to make it 4-0 as the teams went in at the half.
The second half started on a sour note for KC though as Peterson picked up an injury after a tackle early on in the half. Peterson only made it to the 50th minute before the injury forced him to the sideline. His replacement though was involved in the fifth goal of the game though. In the 59th minute the ball came to Saad Abdul-Salaam at the top of the box, the rookie tried to hit the ball on goal, but miss hit it causing it to go towards the end line. Nemeth raced the ball down, settled it on the end line and then chipped the ball into the middle with the outside of his right foot. The ball floated over Seitz and curled into the net as Matt Hedges tried to make the save on the line, but only helped the ball into his own net as KC made it to five. Shortly after Dallas ruined the shutout as Michael Barrios and David Texeira worked a good give and go as Barrios beat Tim Melia to make it 5-1 in the 61nd minute. KC though responded with another goal of their own. After a foul at the top of the box, Dwyer stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and into the net to score his fourth goal of the night; the first KC player to ever score four in a game and KC was up 6-1. A few minutes later, Dallas was able to get one more consolation goal as a shot by Kellyn Acosta deflected off of Matt Besler and past Melia into the net to make it 6-2. KC killed most of the rest of the game with possession through their midfield and defense as they cruised into a bye weekend and into the quarterfinals.
Wizards Man of the Match - Dom Dwyer - Hard to argue when a guy goes and scores four goals in a game. Dwyer looked on top of his game last night and hopefully it's a sign that he's rounding into form. His four goals and Nemeth's two give both of them nine of the season, the more balanced attack should serve KC very well going forward if the two can continue to play well together.
Honorable Mention - Krisztian Nemeth, Benny Feilhaber
Player Ratings - Melia 6, Anibaba 6, Ellis 7, Besler 6, Dia 6, Mustivar 7, Espinoza 7, Feilhaber 8, Nemeth 8, Dwyer 10, Peterson 8. Subs Abdul-Salaam 6, Nagamura 6, Hallisey 6.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Match Day USOC Round of 16: Route to the Final is at Home, it Starts Here
Sporting KC return to US Open Cup action tomorrow at home against FC Dallas. With the draw a couple weeks ago, the path to the US Open Cup final goes through KC, at least for the Western half of the bracket. So things are in KC's hands at this point, and it's something that they really need to take advantage of. With KC's home form this season at Sporting Park it's gotta be something that KC feel they can take advantage of.
FC Dallas comes into the game after beating the Oklahoma City Energy 4-1 in their last Open Cup match up and beating Houston 2-0 last Friday in league play. Dallas won't be an easy team, while they haven't always taken the Open Cup seriously, call ups for the Gold Cup leave them a little limited in numbers and may require them to play a number of starters during the midweek. They also have a league match this coming weekend at home against New England that they may be looking towards as well to help them move up the league table.
KC on the other hand is off this next weekend from league play and should be able to put out a primarily first team line up with the club having 11 days before their game on the 12th against Vancouver. The team is now without Graham Zusi and Marcel de Jong who have both departed for Gold Cup duty. The rest of the team should be available for tomorrow's game, although with Chance Myers playing close to 90 minutes on the weekend and still recovering from injury may need a break, but KC has Jalil Anibaba who can immediately come in and start. Meanwhile, with Jon Kempin out, I'd expect Tim Melia to get another start in goal ahead of loaned goalkeeper Alex Riggs.
Key Match Up - Soni Mustivar vs Mauro Diaz - Not sure if Diaz will play tomorrow with Dallas' schedule, but if he's on the field it's going to be a difficult match up. In the last match up between the two teams, Mustivar did a very good job of keeping Diaz under wraps, and KC will have a good chance of winning the game.
Number to Remember - 6 - That's the number of shutouts that KC has at home in their last seven home games. In those seven games, KC has allowed just two goals in their 4-2 win over the New England Revolution.
PREDICTION - This game is set up for KC to win, with Dallas having this game sandwiched between two league games and playing without three players that have been providing minutes for Dallas this year due to the Gold Cup. The way that KC has been playing lately and with their home form this is a game that KC should be able to win and advance in the Open Cup.
SKC - 1 (Dwyer)
FCD - 0
FC Dallas comes into the game after beating the Oklahoma City Energy 4-1 in their last Open Cup match up and beating Houston 2-0 last Friday in league play. Dallas won't be an easy team, while they haven't always taken the Open Cup seriously, call ups for the Gold Cup leave them a little limited in numbers and may require them to play a number of starters during the midweek. They also have a league match this coming weekend at home against New England that they may be looking towards as well to help them move up the league table.
KC on the other hand is off this next weekend from league play and should be able to put out a primarily first team line up with the club having 11 days before their game on the 12th against Vancouver. The team is now without Graham Zusi and Marcel de Jong who have both departed for Gold Cup duty. The rest of the team should be available for tomorrow's game, although with Chance Myers playing close to 90 minutes on the weekend and still recovering from injury may need a break, but KC has Jalil Anibaba who can immediately come in and start. Meanwhile, with Jon Kempin out, I'd expect Tim Melia to get another start in goal ahead of loaned goalkeeper Alex Riggs.
Melia
Anibaba - Ellis - Besler - Dia
Mustivar
Feilhaber - Espinoza
Peterson - Dwyer - Nemeth
Key Match Up - Soni Mustivar vs Mauro Diaz - Not sure if Diaz will play tomorrow with Dallas' schedule, but if he's on the field it's going to be a difficult match up. In the last match up between the two teams, Mustivar did a very good job of keeping Diaz under wraps, and KC will have a good chance of winning the game.
Number to Remember - 6 - That's the number of shutouts that KC has at home in their last seven home games. In those seven games, KC has allowed just two goals in their 4-2 win over the New England Revolution.
PREDICTION - This game is set up for KC to win, with Dallas having this game sandwiched between two league games and playing without three players that have been providing minutes for Dallas this year due to the Gold Cup. The way that KC has been playing lately and with their home form this is a game that KC should be able to win and advance in the Open Cup.
SKC - 1 (Dwyer)
FCD - 0
Monday, June 15, 2015
Match Day USOC: Finally a Meaningful KC vs St. Louis Game
For the first time since the very early 1970s, Kansas City and St. Louis will face off in a competitive outdoor game on Tuesday night at Sporting Park in the fourth round of the US Open Cup. While the two cities have faced off numerous times in baseball, football, and even indoor soccer with the likes of the Comets, Attack, Ambush, and Steamers, outdoor soccer has always lacked in terms of play between the two teams. The last time teams from KC and St. Louis met was in a friendly between the KC Wizards and AC St. Louis in 2010. With KC not qualifying for the Open Cup and St. Louis folding after the one season there's really been no chance for two cities to face off.
St. Louis heads into the game having picked up 14 points in their 11 league games, a 3-3-5 record. They've drawn their last five games in all competitions, four league games and their US Open Cup shootout win over Minnesota United to set up the match up with Kansas City. Their last win came on May 20th against the Des Moines Menace in their second round US Open Cup game. It's a busy stretch for St. Louis as well, as this is their second of three games in six days, with another game for them at home on Friday. Not only will St. Louis potentially need to conserve legs a little bit, they'll also be playing without Bryan Gaul, the former LA Galaxy player who scored their goal in the last round against Minnesota is suspended for this game after being red carded late in the game against Minnesota. STLFC still can cause KC some problems with the pace of Jeremie Lynch up top and Charles Renken, the former US youth international, who has primarily been used as a sub, but has often been a spark for them off the bench.
While St. Louis is busy, KC will come in having not played in 10 days, since their 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders. Sporting will need to keep one eye on the weekend game against Salt Lake on Sunday though. With the time in between though, KC should be able to put out a fairly first team lineup without much worry. Part of that reason also has to do with a simple lack of bodies still with the team recovering from injury, or in the case of Erik Palmer-Brown and Krisztian Nemeth, returning from international duty. This could be a good opportunity for someone like Chance Myers to return from injury and get time. It could also be a chance for James Ansu Rogers, who along with Myers is the only player on the roster currently who has not played a minute this year. I'm sure Peter Vermes will make a few other changes to the lineup, but with the rest, the still lingering injuries, and the priority that KC has put on the Open Cup in the past I'd expect KC to be up for this game.
Number to Remember - 2003 - That's the last time that KC qualified for the US Open Cup proper and failed to win a single game in the tournament (This does not count years where KC didn't qualify for the US Open Cup proper, 2007 and 2010).
Key Match Up - Marcel de Jong vs Charles Renken - Renken may not start for St. Louis, but with pace and skill that previously saw him with the US youth teams and signed in Germany, he'll be a handful for KC whenever he enters into the game. Operating a lot on St. Louis' right, it'll be the responsibility of de Jong, Amadou Dia, or whoever Vermes puts out at left back to contain the winger.
PREDICTION - Even with some reserves in the lineup, KC has the talent to take care of business tomorrow against St. Louis. The expansion USL side hasn't looked out of place against USL teams, but they haven't looked above that talent level either. Minnesota took St. Louis lightly in their match up with them, and didn't capitalize on the opportunities they got (plus some good goalkeeping by Mark Pais). As long as KC doesn't come in expecting St. Louis to just "roll over" against an MLS team, this is a game that KC should be able to win going away, especially with the way that the offense has been firing over the last few games. The big thing though will be not having a slow start, allowing St. Louis to have too much of the game, or even steal a goal and sit back similar to Orlando City back in 2013. It has to be about denying them confidence, come out, grab an early goal, get them on their back foot and don't let up.
SKC - 2 (Zusi, Dwyer)
STL - 0
St. Louis heads into the game having picked up 14 points in their 11 league games, a 3-3-5 record. They've drawn their last five games in all competitions, four league games and their US Open Cup shootout win over Minnesota United to set up the match up with Kansas City. Their last win came on May 20th against the Des Moines Menace in their second round US Open Cup game. It's a busy stretch for St. Louis as well, as this is their second of three games in six days, with another game for them at home on Friday. Not only will St. Louis potentially need to conserve legs a little bit, they'll also be playing without Bryan Gaul, the former LA Galaxy player who scored their goal in the last round against Minnesota is suspended for this game after being red carded late in the game against Minnesota. STLFC still can cause KC some problems with the pace of Jeremie Lynch up top and Charles Renken, the former US youth international, who has primarily been used as a sub, but has often been a spark for them off the bench.
While St. Louis is busy, KC will come in having not played in 10 days, since their 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders. Sporting will need to keep one eye on the weekend game against Salt Lake on Sunday though. With the time in between though, KC should be able to put out a fairly first team lineup without much worry. Part of that reason also has to do with a simple lack of bodies still with the team recovering from injury, or in the case of Erik Palmer-Brown and Krisztian Nemeth, returning from international duty. This could be a good opportunity for someone like Chance Myers to return from injury and get time. It could also be a chance for James Ansu Rogers, who along with Myers is the only player on the roster currently who has not played a minute this year. I'm sure Peter Vermes will make a few other changes to the lineup, but with the rest, the still lingering injuries, and the priority that KC has put on the Open Cup in the past I'd expect KC to be up for this game.
Kempin
SAS - Ellis - Besler - de Jong
Carrasco
Espinoza - Feilhaber
Zusi - Dwyer - Hallisey
Number to Remember - 2003 - That's the last time that KC qualified for the US Open Cup proper and failed to win a single game in the tournament (This does not count years where KC didn't qualify for the US Open Cup proper, 2007 and 2010).
Key Match Up - Marcel de Jong vs Charles Renken - Renken may not start for St. Louis, but with pace and skill that previously saw him with the US youth teams and signed in Germany, he'll be a handful for KC whenever he enters into the game. Operating a lot on St. Louis' right, it'll be the responsibility of de Jong, Amadou Dia, or whoever Vermes puts out at left back to contain the winger.
PREDICTION - Even with some reserves in the lineup, KC has the talent to take care of business tomorrow against St. Louis. The expansion USL side hasn't looked out of place against USL teams, but they haven't looked above that talent level either. Minnesota took St. Louis lightly in their match up with them, and didn't capitalize on the opportunities they got (plus some good goalkeeping by Mark Pais). As long as KC doesn't come in expecting St. Louis to just "roll over" against an MLS team, this is a game that KC should be able to win going away, especially with the way that the offense has been firing over the last few games. The big thing though will be not having a slow start, allowing St. Louis to have too much of the game, or even steal a goal and sit back similar to Orlando City back in 2013. It has to be about denying them confidence, come out, grab an early goal, get them on their back foot and don't let up.
SKC - 2 (Zusi, Dwyer)
STL - 0
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