Month: April 2019

Sporting KC Champions League run ends in 5-2 loss

Forward Gerso Fernandes scored two goals in Sporting KC’s 5-2 Concacaf Champions League loss to Monterrey. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

A large and loud contingent of fans of Mexican soccer team Monterrey went home cold but happy from Children’s Mercy Park on Thursday evening. Their team took a 5-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City to advance to the finals of the Concacaf Champions League tournament.

Kansas City was clearly playing to win. After resting a few regulars against Cincinnati on Sunday, manager Peter Vermes put out his top-tier lineup, starting Johnny Russell, Krisztian Nemeth and Gerso Fernandes across the front.

Sporting needed a big win to overcome the five-goal deficit incurred in the  first semi-final leg in Monterrey last week. When Gerso scored in the 6th minute off a cross from Johnny Russell, it looked like they might get it.

Monterrey answered in the 20th minute on a counter attack, and they answered again after Gerso scored in the 29th minute. Vermes said after the game that the first goal “deflated” his team.

Monterrey goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero saved a Kansas City penalty kick just before the half to keep the score 2-2.

Kansas City threatened in the opening minutes of the second half. Seth Sinovic headed a ball into goal that was called back for being offside, and Johnny Russell had two near misses.

The Rayados (Striped Ones) controlled the later stages of the game, picking up three more goals to close out Sporting’s longest Champions League run.

Vermes had a mixed evaluation of his team after the game.

“I think some guys played really well,” he said, “and I thought our mentality was good going into the game.

“You just can’t give up soft goals like that. We did that twice against this team and that hurt us.”

Sporting will face a quick turnaround, returning to MLS League play with a home match on Sunday at 6  p.m. against the New York Red Bulls.

A large and very enthusiastic group of Monterrey fans sang and chanted throughout the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Defender Graham Zusi made an attacking run from the right in the first half. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

Sporting KC fans held out hope that their team would be able to pull off the improbable victory. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

A large and very enthusiastic group of Monterrey fans sang and chanted throughout the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

 

 

Temperatures drop; high of 54 today

Rain is in the forecast for Saturday night and Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service. (National Weather Service graphic)

Temperatures fell from the 70s about 24 hours ago into the 30s this morning, and may reach only a high of 54 today, according to the National Weather Service.

The cool weather will continue through the weekend before rebounding into the 70s on Monday, according to the forecast.

Today will be windy, gusting to 31 mph, and there will be elevated fire weather this afternoon, the weather service said.

A chance of moisture will return this weekend, and rain will be possible Saturday evening and Sunday morning, according to the weather service. Some areas in the region could see a rain-snow mix on Sunday morning, although there is some uncertainty about this, with Wyandotte County’s low expected to be 37 early Sunday morning.

Minor flooding continues on the Missouri River at St. Joseph, Missouri, but the rivers in Wyandotte County and Kansas City are below flood stage. With snow and precipitation to the north, the Missouri River here could rise to action stage later next week, according to hydrology charts.

Today, it will be sunny with a high near 54, and a west wind of 13 to 20 mph, gusting as high as 31 mph, the weather service said.

Tonight, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 35 and a west wind of 5 to 10 mph becoming light west northwest after midnight, according to the weather service. Winds may gust as high as 18 mph.

Saturday, there will be increasing clouds, with a high near 54, the weather service said. A light north wind will become north northeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Saturday night, there is a 50 percent chance of rain, with a low of 37, according to the weather service. A north northeast wind of 8 to 13 mph will gust as high as 22 mph. Between a tenth and quarter-inch of rain is possible.

Sunday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain before 1 p.m., the weather service said. Skies will gradually clear, with a high near 54. A north wind of 10 to 13 mph will gust as high as 20 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is in the forecast.

Sunday night, the low will be 39 with mostly clear skies, according to the weather service.

Monday, the high will be near 70 with sunny skies, the weather service said.

Monday night, the low will be around 57 with mostly clear skies, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 75, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, there is a 40 percent chance of rain after 1 a.m., with a low of 56, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, there is a 50 percent chance of rain with a high of 66, the weather service said.

Wednesday night, there is a 60 percent chance of rain with a low of 48, according to the weather service.

Thursday, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 62, the weather service said.

Freeze warning in effect tonight

A freeze warning has been issued for 1 a.m. Friday, April 12, through 9 a.m. April 12, according to the National Weather Service.

Sub-freezing temperatures are possible, the weather service said. These conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.

According to the weather service, the overnight low will be around 32 degrees. Friday’s high will be around 52.