Sporting KC Put Themselves in a Hole Again

For the second year in a row, Sporting Kansas City head home for the second leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series in a deficient. The New England Revolution scored two second half goal and will head to Kansas City with a 2-1 aggregate lead against Sporting KC.

The first half way limited in the chances that were created as both teams seemed to be feeling each other out. In the 18th minute, KC almost grabbed the lead off a Graham Zusi corner. His corner was headed on goal by Chance Myers. Lee Nguyen on the back post though chested the ball into the path of Aurelien Collin. Watching the game, Revolution defender, AJ Soares had his arm wrapped around Collin, but on call was made and a goal kick was given. The best chance for either side came in the 34th minute. A long ball over the top by Zusi found Teal Bunbury beating the offside trap. Unfortunately, Bunbury's chance was right into the arms of Matt Reis in the Revolution net.

In the second half, the Revs grabbed an early lead in the 55th minute. A shot by Diego Fagundez was saved by Jimmy Nielsen. The deflected save though bounced off of Juan Agudelo and into the path of Andy Dorman who touched the ball home to give the Revs a 1-0 lead. There were calls for offside, but looking at replays, the play was extremely close and it appeared that Dorman may have just been even when the touch by Agudelo occurred. In the 67th the Revolution doubled their lead. A turn over in their own half of the field by KC led to a break by the Rev. Nguyen found Kelyen Rowe out to the side of KC's box. His shot found the far corner and the Revs doubled their advantage. KC responded almost immediately to the Revs second goal. A free kick from Zusi into the middle was headed back to the far post. Jacob Peterson headed the ball back towards the middle. Chance Myers turned and fired a shot into a group of players. CJ Sapong flicked it to the back post where Aurelien Collin knocked it home to make the score 2-1. Down just a goal, Sporting KC renewed their pressure and almost equalized in the 72nd. Oriol Rosell fired from outside the box and had his shot hit the outside of the post and go wide. KC continued to pressure but couldn't find the net. But in stoppage time, KC had another golden opportunity. The ball found it's way to Dom Dwyer as he found space on the right. But as he got away from the Revolution defense he fired a shot that Reis pushed away to keep the score 2-1. The Revolution held on and at the half way point of the series hold a 2-1 lead as the teams head back to KC.

The loss is disappointing for KC, but heading home I'm less worried about KC's chances. I think KC can get the two goal win they need to advance.

Wizards Man of the Match - Aurelien Collin - For no other reason than he scored the goal that kept KC's playoff hopes alive heading into the second leg.

Player Ratings - Nielsen 4, Myers 4, Collin 6, Besler 5, Sinovic 4, Rosell 4, Olum 4, Zusi 4, Peterson 3, Bunbury 4, Sapong 4. Subs Saad 4, Dywer 4.