Another Poor Home Performance

Seems like I say this way too often, but once again Sporting KC dominated a performance, but couldn't get all 3 points. This time it was the Philadelphia Union that were able to withstand KC's pressure and leave Sporting Park with all three points, the fifth team to do so this year (the most of any team that would currently qualify for the playoffs).

Sporting KC pressured from the start and if not for some good goalkeeping, would have grabbed the lead. In the 14th minute Philadelphia goalkeepeer Zach MacMath made a great save on a free kick from Benny Feilhaber. From about 23 yards out, Feilhaber curled a free kick towards the corner, but MacMath got across the goal and tipped the ball out. In the 25th Feilhaber again almost put KC in front. After working a great 1-2 with CJ Sapong, Feilhaber found himself 1v1 with MacMath. But as Feilhaber tried to slot the ball in the far post, MacMath made a good save to keep it 0-0. A few minutes later MacMath again was called into action. Graham Zusi cut back and forth across the top of the box before finding space and put a shot on goal. MacMath again though made a diving sive to keep the ball out. The ensuing corner was headed over the bar by Dom Dwyer. All the pressure left KC exposed a bit in the back and in the 36th they got hit on the counter. Danny Crus beat Ike Opara for speed before crossing into the box. Aurelien Collin didn't get enough on the ball to clear it and it fell to Conor Casey. Casey though couldn't control the ball and it got knocked away. Michael Farfan was there to put a shot on goal. Jimmy Nielsen made the save but the rebound fell to Casey again and he put the ball home to give the Union the lead.

The second half saw KC continue to throw numbers forward in the attack. They really should have been level in the in the 52nd. Chance Myers was given space to bring the ball into the attack and then played a great cross into the box for Dwyer. Dwyer though with the diving header put it wide of the goal. The Englishman really should have done better with the opportunity. While KC continued to push, Philly almost retook the lead in the 63rd. A nice cross into the box found Farfan at the 6, he one timed his effort on goal, but it was right at Nielsen who made a kick save. KC continued to do what KC does in these situations, hold possession, take a lot of shots, but they really didn't test MacMath a whole lot. Philly substitute almost hit KC on the counter again in stoppage time but fired his shot wide. In the end it was a similar story for KC at home as they could not get the job done against the Union.

Wizards Man of the Match - Graham Zusi - There wasn't really much to cheer about yesterday, but Zusi did a good job of setting up chances for his teammates, unfortunately they weren't finished.

Player Ratings - Nielsen 6, Myers 5, Collin 5, Opara 4, Sinovic 5, Rosell 5, Feilhaber 6, Zusi 6, Peterson 4, Dwyer 5, Sapong 5. Subs Saad 4, Bieler 4, Joseph 4.