Sporting Take Care of Business

Sporting KC took care of business on Saturday night at Sporting Park against the Colorado Rapids 2-0. The win was an expected result for Kansas City against a Rapids team that currently sits at the bottom of the Western Conference and has won just twice in their last 31 league games.

Early on, KC was able to take the game to the Rapids and could have taken the lead in the fifth minute off a Benny Feilhaber corner, but Chance Myers wasn't able to direct the ball on goal, instead putting it over the net. The Rapids had some dangerous opportunities of their own, in the 14th Tim Melia came well off his line to punch a ball away, the rebound was struck on goal from about 35 yards out, Melia had to race back into his net to keep the ball out and then jump on the rebound before anyone else on Colorado reacted to the loose ball. They had another opportunity in the 21st as Luis Solignac got the ball down the wing before playing it back into the middle for Lucas Pittinari. Pittinari's shot deflected off of Kevin Ellis, but unlike last week, this deflected shot went just around the far post keeping the game scoreless. KC was able to break the deadlock in the 32nd minute thanks to Krisztian Nemeth. Benny Feilhaber got the ball played wide to Chance Myers who had made a good run down the line. Myers continued into the Rapids' defensive third before firing a cross to the top of the box where Nemeth hit it first time sending it into the corner to put KC up 1-0. KC had some more half chances, but couldn't find the net for a second.

In the second half, KC continued to control the game, but still struggled to create chances. In the 53rd they did test Clint Irwin from distance with Dom Dwyer striking a free kick on goal, but the Colorado keeper knocked the ball away. Almost immediately at the other end Solignac had a chance to level things after a nice through ball, but he put his shot just wide of Melia's post. In the 64th minute though KC was able to double their lead. Off a short corner played between Feilhaber, Nemeth, and Graham Zusi, the ball eventually found its way back to Feilhaber who beat his man and fired a cross into the box towards Kevin Ellis. Rapids midfielder, Sam Cronin beat Ellis to the ball, but was unable to control the ball as it deflected off of him and into the net to make it 2-0. With the 2-0 lead, Colorado started putting more numbers into their attack, but while they created some half chances they never overly threatened KC's goal. The numbers forward also left Colorado suseptable to the counter. In the 79th Dwyer almost capitalized as he got played in behind the Colorado defense, but as he dribbled into the box to get a shot the defense recovered and his shot was deflected wide. KC was able to cruise to the win and continue their unbeaten home form.

Wizards Man of the Match - Chance Myers - In his return to MLS play last night, Myers looked like he'd not missed any time at all. Had some good crosses, including the assist on the opener. Also was strong defensively in shutting down the Rapids attack.

Player Ratings - Melia 8, Myers 8, Ellis 7, Besler 7, de Jong 7, Mustivar 7, Espinoza 6, Feilhaber 7, Zusi 6, Dwyer 6, Nemeth 8. Subs Peterson 5, Abdul-Salaam 5, Dia NR.