Sporting Top DC in Orlando

Sporting KC got back to winning in preseason tonight down in Orlando, defeating DC United 2-0.  Eric Kronberg got the start and played the full 90 minutes in net for KC.  The rest of KC's starting lineup played about 75 minutes.  Other than Kronberg in place of Jimmy Nielsen, there were three other regular starters that were missing from the lineup.  Chance Myers was replaced by Mechack Jerome as Myers appears to still be recovering from injury.  The other two players missing were Aurelien Collin and Graham Zusi, both of whom had missed the last few days of practice as they were in New York doing media work for the league.

The first half saw chances as a premium as neither side was able to create a lot going forward.  Bobby Convey tried to set up CJ Sapong off a free kick, but Sapong didn't make clean enough contact on the ball.  At the other end, Lionard Pajoy had a good opportunity, but some good defense by Matt Besler and Ike Opara forced a poor touch and allowed Kronberg to collect.

The second half the game opened up a little bit more.  DC had made a number of subs in the 30th minute and made more at half time as they got more players time.  Convey, who'd looked good most of the net finally found the net in the 74th minute when he received a pass from Paulo Nagamura.  Convey cut inside and with his right foot fired a shot past Andrew Dykstra.  After Convey's goal, Sporting made a complete change of the team, except for Kronberg who played the full game, and Benny Feilhaber and Claudio Bieler who had subbed out earlier in the half.  Both teams had some half chances after Convey opened the scoring, but it was Sporting that ended up doubling the lead with only 9 minutes left.  Peterson Joseph played a great ball through the defense for Soony Saad.  Saad calmly placed the ball past Dykstra and into the net making it 2-0. 

Sporting close out group play in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic on Saturday when they take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies from the NASL.