More on Athletics Open Cup Win

Earlier this week, the KC Athletics won their first round US Open Cup match against the Real Colorado Foxes.  People reading this blog knew that already.  I'd been trying to get some more information on the result, including who scored for the Athletics.  After exchanging an email with player/coach, Kyle Perkins, I was able to get more information on the game. 

The Foxes took the lead in the first half through Mike Lind.  The Athletics themselves though had chances in the first half, hitting the post, and having two penalty shouts, while goalkeeper, Steven Grow kept them in the game.  A change in tactics at half time for the Athletics saw them get a way back into the game.  About 7 minutes into the half, the Athletics got a goal.  The Foxes keeper spilled a shot in front of goal.  Perkins followed the shot and was brought down in the box giving the Athletics a PK.  Kevin Shrout tucked the ball into the lower corner to tie the game at 1-1.

Ten minutes after the first goal, the Athletics struck again.  Marty Johnson collected the ball wide on the right hand side around midfield and dribbled into the Foxes end beating a few defenders before laying the ball back to Perkins who had the simple finish to make it 2-1.  Six minutes after Perkins gave the Athletics the lead, they closed the game off.  Left midfield Peter Karioris and left back Miguel Rodrigues combined for a give and go down the left that found Rodrigues with plenty of space on the left.  Rodrigues drilled the ball across the box that took a favorable deflection for the Athletics and went into the net making it 3-1. 

Content with the 3-1 lead, the Athletics switched to a 4-5-1 formation and in Perkins words, "parked the bus," killing the game off.Comets player, Coady Andrews, former UMKC player, Chris Markey, former KC Wizard, Brian Roberts, and Rodrigues held down the defense with Grow and were able to kill the game off.

With the Athletics pass the first hurdle, they now look ahead to the next one against Orlando next Tuesday.  Perkins knows the defending USL Pro champs are a great team, but they're focusing in on OCSC ahead of the game. 

Still you can't blame the team for looking ahead just a little bit towards a potential 3rd round match up against Sporting KC should they win.  A match up against Sporting would certainly be exciting, but as Perkins told me, they need to focus on the next game.