Disappointed, Frustrated, Pissed Off, Embarassed

Those are probably some of the best words to describe the mood of Sporting KC fans after tonight's 1-0 loss to Orlando City that knocks Sporting Kansas City out of the US Open Cup.  A second minute goal from Long Tan was all that Orlando City needed to take down the defending US Open Cup champs as Sporting KC looked again to lack creativity in the final third.

KC barely got the ball out of their own end before they were down 1-0.  A give away by Paulo Nagamura in his own defensive third led to the goal. Adama Mbengue won the ball and fed it wide to Tan.  The Chinese forward had beaten his mark and placed the ball into the far corner past Eric Kronberg to give Orlando the early 1-0 lead. Orlando had opportunities over the course of the rest of the half to double the lead but had a few counters cut short due to offside calls and once Kronberg was called on to make another save on Tan who had again gotten behind the KC defense.

KC though controlled the half and dominated play but could only create two shots on goal in the first half.  Their best opportunities came through Jacob Peterson and Claudio Bieler.  On one opportunity a cross into the box was flicked on towards the back post by Bieler, but it just missed the target.  KC had a number of chances, but the majority of them ended up being high or wide of the goal.

At half time Peter Vermes replaced Josh Gardner with CJ Sapong and Sporting continued to attack.  As the game wore on though Orlando began to sit deeper and deeper.  Vermes subbed in Lawrence Olum for Benny Feilhaber in a bit of a head scratching sub.  Feilhaber had played poorly, but he was one of the only players on the field that could really break down a defense with one pass. With Feilhaber off the field more of KC's offense became playing the ball wide to the wingbacks or wingers who then played a cross into the box.  That cross would be cleared and while Orlando conceded the midfield KC recollected and attempted the same thing again.  Orlando basically created an arc around the penalty area that they allowed Kansas City to possess all they want, but the clogged passing lanes kept KC from creating chances through the middle. This forced KC to continue to hope for headers from crosses or long distance shots. Seth Sinovic had a few that he put just over the bar.  Sporting did force Miguel Gallardo in the Orlando net into a few very nice saves as the half wore on, but for the most part, KC again struggled to put shots on net. Late on it was actually Orlando who broke out and almost added a second, and probably should have if not for some poor finishing.

In the end Kansas City wasn't good enough, many of the players tonight looked like they were just going through the motions and didn't want to be there.

Wizards Man of the Match - Seth Sinovic - One of the few players tonight who actually looked like they were playing tonight, he was up and down the wing all night.  He played in a number of good crosses and came close with a few shots of his own.

Player Ratings - Kronberg 5, Ellis 5, Opara 4, Collin 4, Sinovic 6, Rosell 6, Nagamura 3, Feilhaber 3, Peterson 5, Bieler 5, Gardner 1. Subs Sapong 4, Olum 5, Bunbury 5