photo courtesy of Jarred Donalson
Sporting KC's game against FC Dallas was expected to be much closer, and it paid up to that billing, but KC came from a goal down and was able to beat Dallas 2-1, thanks to a beautiful team goal that was finished by Kei Kamara. KC did well early on to create some chances, putting plenty of shots on target on Kevin Hartman. Dallas started to come into the game more created some chances of their own, but being unable to put the shots on goal. In the 25th minutes Dallas got the first goal of the game. Blas Perez had been "fouled" just outside the box by Aurelien Collin. I put fouled in quotes because I'd hardly call what happened to Perez a foul. Perez fell over with only a slight touch from the Frenchman. Ricardo Villar stepped up and buried the ensuing free kick past Jimmy Nielsen and into the net. Nielsen didn't even move, as KC allowed their first goal of the season. Villar though would have little else to do with much of the rest of the game, as he got cleared out by Chance Myers on a challenge and would end up subbing out at half time. KC tried to take control of the game after that, but had been unable to beat Hartman to get the game level. The injury to Villar though meant that there was plenty of stoppage time in the first half, and in the 4th minute of stoppage time, KC found an equalizer. After a foul about 40 yards out from goal, Graham Zusi played a lofted ball into the box for Collin. The Frenchman got a glancing header on the ball and beat Hartman to level the score at 1-1.
Early in the second half, KC looked set to take the lead after Chance Myers was brought down in the box, leading to a penalty kick. Kamara stepped up to take the PK. The Sierra Leone man struck it well, low to the corner, but Hartman got down well, knocking the ball away and keeping the game tied. KC was the much more aggressive team as the half continued, in fact, Dallas didn't record a shot on goal in the second half. KC looked set to have to settle for a draw, when Kamara struck in the 88th minute. The play started actually with Seth Sinovic and Jimmy Nielsen, but the real beauty of the goal came around midfield, where Kamara, Julio Cesar, Zusi, and Myers all combined in some great one touch passing that lead to a Myers cross being turned in by Kamara for the winning goal. KC had to hold on late though, as Cesar made a great tackle just outside the box. Then after that some frantic late defending in the box the referee blew the final whistle and KC moved to 3-0 on the season.
Check out the video of the final goal again, with Callum on the call.
WIZARDS Man of the Match - Roger Espinoza - Yes it's only 3 games into the season, but Espinoza so far has been amazing in the middle of the field for KC. He's been confident, strong, willing to shoot, and the only yellow he's picked up was a delaying a restart yellow late last night.
Honorable Mention - Aurelien Collin
Player Ratings - Nielsen 5, Sinovic 6, Collin 8, Besler 7, Myers 7, Cesar 5, Espinoza 8, Zusi 7, Convey 4, Sapong 6, Kamara 7. Subs Olum NR, Peterson NR
I believe the foul on Blas Perez was on Chance Myers for the arm in the back. Still, it was not much of a foul. And the same kind of foul happened not long after at the other end as CJ got sandwiched and nothing was called. That particular ref is consistently inconsistent. I'm glad the boys looked beyond that and played with heart and teamwork.
ReplyDeleteI must say, I was a bit surprised that Kamara stepped up to take the penalty. Now normally, he is very good. But I don't understand why Zusi doesn't take penalties. He's got probably the heaviest, hardest shot on the team. It would be just like Jewsbury of a few years ago. Just sayin'. . .