Sporting KC didn't allow New York to get a shot on goal, the 3rd time this season that Kansas City has kept a team from getting a shot on goal, but KC still couldn't get all 3 points as an own goal allowed New York to escape with a 1-1 draw in the first of 3 match ups between the two teams.
KC came out strong and in the 4th minute grabbed an early lead. Graham Zusi played a long ball over the top to Teal Bunbury who had gotten in behind the Red Bulls defense. Bill Gaudette came off his line and collided with Bunbury. But Bunbury had gotten the first touch and flicked it into the air. Kei Kamara continued his run and headed the ball into the open net from the top of the box to make it 1-0. KC continued to control the game and create some chances but couldn't find the net. In the 27th off a Zusi corner, Aurelien Collin got a free header but put it right at Gaudette, who made the save. New York came right down the field and won a free kick. Off that free kick, Sebastien Le Toux played the ball towards Tim Cahill in the box. Kamara was marking Cahill and beat him to the ball, but headed it past Jimmy Nielsen and into his own net to tie the game. The play as a hole is more on Nielsen than Kamara though. The ball was landing right at the 6 when Kamara headed it. As a keeper you have to control your box and that's always been something that Nielsen has struggled with. He's never been good at controlling the box and this time it came back to bite him as New York equalized. KC continued to dominate the rest of the half, holding New York without a shot, but KC couldn't capitalize on it. Late in first half stoppage time Paulo Nagamura had an open look from the top of the box but blasted it over the bar.
In the second half Kansas City continued to control the game, but still couldn't find the back of the net. Nagamura again had a chance in the 56th as New York failed to clear Nagamura hit it first time. The shot deflected but went right into the arms of Gaudette. Finally in the 65th minute New York got their first shot of the game as Le Toux skied an effort well over Nielsen's net. New York started to get a few chances, but KC kept pushing as well. In the 80th minute on a free kick from Kamara off a touch from Zusi was put just wide of the post as KC looked for the winner. Then a minute later Kamara had another opportunity off a Zusi corner but his header was over the bar. Into stoppage time KC was still pressuring but almost got caught on the counter. Off another corner the ball got to Le Toux who fed Dax McCarty and the two started a break. McCarty played Le Toux behind Chance Myers and the KC defense and continued his run. Le Toux got caught by Myers, but he squared the ball into the middle for McCarty, but his first touch let him down and Myers was able to recover and break up the play. KC couldn't find a winner and had to settle for another disappointing result at home.
Wizards Man of the Match - Roger Espinoza - Controlled the midfield extremely well with all the talent that New York has there. Espinoza made sure that McCarty and Cahilll were kept in check for the most part.
Honorable Mention - Matt Besler and Aurelien Collin
Player Ratings - Nielsen 4, Sinovic 5, Besler 7, Collin 7, Myers 5, Cesar 6, Nagamura 5, Espinoza 7, Kamara 6, Bunbury 6, Zusi 5. Subs Sapong 5.
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