Sporting Play Better but Can't Find the Net

Last night at Sporting Park Sporting had an improved performance over their late win over Philadelphia, the team's defense was able to shut down the RSL attack, unfortunately things still aren't coming together for the club on the offensive end of the field where they're still struggling to finish chances.

Sporting KC had a good start and probably should have taken the lead in the 6th minute through Jalil Anibaba. Benny Feilhaber played a quick short free kick to Servando Carrasco. Carrasco got forward and played the ball to Ike Opara, the center back cut back inside and away from the goal before sliding a great through ball for Anibaba who took a touch and tried to fire the ball past Nick Rimando, but the Salt Lake keeper got a leg to it knocking the ball away and the ball was eventually cleared. KC dominated the run of play throughout the game, but couldn't put their chances on goal. Opara had a few chances himself when he came forward for set pieces, but put his headers over the bar. In the 29th, KC had a half chance to take the lead, as the ball got played wide to Marcel de Jong, where the Canadian played a fantastic ball on the ground through the box, but Dom Dwyer couldn't quite reach it to try to direct it into the net.

In the second half, KC continued to dominate play and should have taken the lead in the first minute of the second half. After a cross by Krisztian Nemeth made it all the way through the box, the ball was recollected by KC on the far side and eventually crossed back in to Nemeth who redirected the ball towards goal, but it hit off the post, the rebound fell to Jacob Peterson who couldn't put his effort on frame with Rimando out of position. KC continued to pressure offensive, creating chances but still unable to test Rimando in goal. On the other end of the field, KC's defense was solid, shutting down the RSL attack, holding them without a shot on goal all game. KC did get the ball in the net in the 55th minute on a counter attack after a offside call at the other end, but Peterson's cross into the box that Dwyer was able to redirect into the net didn't count as Dwyer was offside. KC suffered a big blow in the 81st minute. Off a Feilhaber corner kick, the ball was floated to the far post towards Opara, the centerback jumped for the ball but as soon as he went up something appeared to be wrong and Opara ended up just going to the ground. Opara appeared to be holding his calf after going down and was immediately substituted out of the game for Kevin Ellis. KC ended up having to settle for a single point from the dominating performance, one they may regret by the end of the season.

Wizards Man of the Match - Matt Besler - The defense in front of goalkeeper Luis Marin last night was on point, they were able to completely shut down the RSL attack, with the team's captain, Matt Besler leading the way.

Player Ratings - Marin 6, Anibaba 7, Opara 7, Besler 8, de Jong 7, Carrasco 7, Espinoza 7, Feilhaber 6, Nemeth 5, Dwyer 4, Peterson 4. Subs Anor 4, Ellis NR.