And We're In

Yes it was basically the New England Revolution reserves. Yes it wasn't a league game. But it felt good tonight to get a win. And a big win it was. A mix of starters and reserves took it to the Revolution, winning 5-0 thanks two a pair of braces from Chance Myers and CJ Sapong on a night when it started to rain right before kickoff and continued to rain throughout the game. Aurelien Collin added the other goal. Kansas City got things starter early as Omar Bravo raced down the left wing in the 9th minute and played a ball into the middle where a sliding Chance Myers knocked the ball home giving Myers his first career first team goal for KC. Bravo and left back, Seth Sinovic, abused Ryan Kinne the Revolution's right back as in the 19th minute, Myers doubled his total and the lead. Bravo collected a pass from Sapong, turned and fired a shot that goalkeeper, Bobby Shuttleworth could only parry away. Right into the path of Myers who poked the ball home, doubling KC's lead. Only 5 minutes after Myers' second it was 3-0. Sinovic combined with Bravo, once again down the left. Sinovic played the ball into the middle for Sapong who touched the ball past Shuttleworth to make it 3-0.

KC let up a little bit after the 3rd goal and with some help from a strong wind at their back, the Revolution tried to get themselves back into the game. They had numerous corners as the half rolled on, including a stretch of 4 or 5 in the span of a few minutes where it was one corner after another as KC failed to clear their lines. You could feel the old anxiety begin to sneak in during that stretch and you felt a goal for the Revolution coming. Mainly because of KC's poor defending lately on corners. But KC came out without giving up a goal. And despite some late pushing between the two teams KC went into the break up 3-0.

The second half started similar to the way that the first half ended, with KC absorbing pressure from the Revolution. This time going with the wind, many of KC's attempts to break ended up going too long for Sapong up top. But the Revs really never made much of their possession, the shots that Eric Kronberg faced were mostly tame and right at him, there was one that got caught a little bit in the wind that he had to tip out, but other than that, the shots rarely troubled him. The complexion changed in the 57th, when Ryan Smith was introduced for Bravo. The move almost paid off immediately as Smith received a ball on the left, raced towards the middle of the field, slid a ball to Myers and continued his run. Myers played the ball back to Smith who was 1v1 with Shuttleworth, but Smith pushed his shot just wide of the post. Shortly after that, Graham Zusi fired a free kick from about 30 yards out that Shuttleworth had to tip out for a corner.

KC continued to press for a fourth goal, and found it in the 81st. A short corner from Zusi was played to Smith, who cut inside his defender and crossed into the box, where Collin rose to meet it, heading it past substitute keeper, Tim Murray to make it 4-0. Sapong finished off his brace in the 88th minute after some lax defending by New England. On a ball that should have been easily cleared by the Rev defense, Sapong pressured his man, causing him to misjudge the ball on the wet grass and it went through his legs. Sapong jumped on the chance carried the ball into the box and lifted the ball over Murray for the fifth goal.

The win was the biggest by Sporting KC since their 6-1 win over the Des Moines Menace in the 2005 US Open Cup. The most goals they've scored against an MLS team since a 5-1 over Dallas on July 3rd 2004. And it's the largest win vs an MLS side since a 5-0 win AWAY against Colorado in April of 2000. A span over over 11 years now. KC now will be placed into the round of 16 of the US Open Cup proper.

WIZARDS Man of the Match - CJ Sapong - I kind of hope Teal Bunbury watched Sapong specifically tonight, because that's how a target striker should play in a 4-3-3 formation. Sapong had a very good game overall. I could of given this to a few players, Myers, Bravo, even Collin or Sinovic could have received the award tonight, but I'm giving it to the rookie.

Honorable mention - Chance Myers, Omar Bravo

Player Ratings - Kronberg 6, Harrington 6, Besler 6, Collin 7, Sinovic 7, Rocastle 6, Sassano 6, Zusi 5, Myers 8, Sapong 9, Bravo 8. Subs Smith 7, Diop 5, Kamara 5.