LA goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega came out of the box to intercept a run by KC midfielder Gianluca Busio. LA won the game 5-1 on Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Park. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
In their first home game in over a month, the issues that have bedeviled Sporting Kansas City — defensive lapses and failure to finish scoring chances — made them pay again with a 5 – 1 loss Wednesday to Los Angeles FC.
Sporting played conference-leading LAFC close through the first half, giving up only a single goal, on a free kick in the 29th minute by Christian Ramirez from just outside the penalty area. Sporting held 66 percent of the possession time, and a 7-4 shot advantage at the break.
Kansas City had some dangerous chances in the second half, keying off set pieces to put pressure on Los Angeles goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega and his defenders. Forwards Krisztian Nemeth and Gerso Fernandes both had makeable shots go wide, and other shots were parried by the LA defense.
SKC lost another prime scoring chance late in the second half when Sisniega saved a penalty kick from Kansas City forward Daniel Salloi. Salloi was selected to take the kick perhaps to get his confidence level up after a scoreless season to date.
Sporting finally got on the board in the 85th minute when substitute Yohan Croizet got a pass from Ilie Sanchez near the top of the box and knocked the ball past Sisniega into the left edge of the goal.
LAFC picked up two goals late in the game as Kansas City’s defense seemed to lose composure and overexposed goalkeeper Tim Melia.
Kansas City has a quick turnaround and a more advantageous opponent on Saturday when they play the Chicago Fire. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
KC forward Yohan Croizet and LA goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega watched Croizet’s shot sail into the net for Sporting KC’s only goal of the match. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
In the 4th minute, forward Daniel Salloi got a pass near the LA goal but popped the ball over the crossbar. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
KC forward Felipe Gutierrez won a ball in the air in the first half. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
LAFC defender Tristan Blackmon headed the ball away to disrupt a run by KC forward Felipe Gutierrez. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Forward Daniel Salloi took a penalty kick late in the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Nudged off the ball by LA defender Eddie Segura, KC forward Krisztian Nemeth tried to make contact for a shot on goal. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
LA goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega dove in to knock the ball away from Gerso Fernandes. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Krisztian Nemeth headed the ball toward the LA goal, only to have it knocked away by LA goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
LA forward Carlos Vela requested the KC forward Felipe Gutierrez come over for a conversation after Vela went to ground in the second half. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Gerso Fernandes made an acrobatic shot in the second half, but the attempt sailed wide. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
A shooting was reported on Wednesday afternoon in the 2400 block of North 77th in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a social media post by the police chief.
Injuries were non-life-threatening, according to the social media post. Police took a suspect into custody.
