Month: August 2021

Salloi stoppage time score saves Sporting KC draw

Forward Daniel Salloi scored the game-tying goal in the 92nd minute of Kansas City’s 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers. The goal was Salloi’s 12th of the year, tying him for second-most in the league. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Sporting Kansas City needed all 90 minutes and then some to earn a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday evening.

Daniel Salloi’s stoppage time goal, his 12th of the season, salvaged what was nearly a wasted opportunity to earn points against a conference rival.

Portland was content to sit back defensively for most of the game, ceding 69% of the possession to Kansas City, and offensive opportunities were few for the home team throughout the first half.

Portland went ahead in the 17th minute on a header from Felipe Mora off a cross by Marvin Loria.

In the second half, Kansas City came out with new offensive determination. Sporting pressed repeatedly into the Portland box, but failed to find the finishing touch.

The closest opportunity for an equalizer in regulation was a header from Gadi Kinda in the 60th minute that forced Portland goalkeeper Steve Clark to make a snap save.

Kansas City was still at a disadvantage when the 90th minute arrived, and the fourth official received an ovation when he indicated 8 minutes of stoppage time for a possible comeback.

Two minutes in, Salloi brought the ball up the right side, passing up a cross into the box in favor of his own shot from 18 yards out. The shot rocketed past Clark and into the net, setting off a relieved celebration from the crowd.

In the final minutes, Kansas City made a spirited attempt to find a winner and survived a near-tragic counterattack by Portland, but was unable to change the final score.

The draw keeps Kansas City in second place in the MLS Western Conference behind Seattle. Sporting will play at Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. The next home game will be at 8 p.m. Aug. 28 against the Colorado Rapids.

Forward Johnny Russell headed the ball toward the Portland goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

A young fan celebrated Salloi’s equalizing goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Portland defender Claudio Bravo disclaimed any responsibility for Johnny Russell falling down. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Forward Alan Pulido caught up with a pass into the Portland penalty area. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

A first half shot from forward Daniel Salloi eluded the dive of Portland goalkeeper Steve Clark, but went narrowly wide of the post. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Defender Ilie Sanchez jumped to head the ball as it was punched away by Portland goalkeeper Steve Clark. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Forward Daniel Salloi played the ball from the Portland endline. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Midfielder Roger Espinoza crossed the ball in from the left side. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Midfielder Gadi Kinda attempted to dribble past Portland midfielder Sebastian Blanco. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

BPU candidate brings up utility assistance topic

A candidate for a Board of Public Utilities office spoke during a public comment time at the Wednesday night, Aug. 18, BPU meeting to ask whether some housing funding, if it comes through, could also be used on utility bills.

Brian Matlock mentioned programs that provide federal funding for housing.

He also asked if the BPU was doing anything to transition away from coal to renewable energy.

Matlock is a candidate for BPU, District 2, a position currently held by Tom Groneman. There were not enough candidates in this contest for a primary, and the two will be on the ballot in the general election in November. Matlock formerly ran for the U.S. Senate as a Republican socialist.

BPU General Manager Bill Johnson said they are currently awaiting Congress to approve an infrastructure plan for the nation, with funds to be allocated through the states. He said the BPU was actively engaged and interested in pursuing funding. He said he would look into the issues mentioned and get back to Matlock with more information.

David Mehlhaff, chief communications officer for the BPU, said the BPU has been in contact with the Kansas Congressional delegation on a regular basis to request and give the delegation their thoughts on an infrastructure package pertaining to the BPU.

He said it remains to be seen what comes out of the final bill, but they have a better chance of getting funds for water infrastructure than electric.

“We are 48 percent renewable energy now, one of the greenest in the country,” Mehlhaff said, adding the BPU will continue down the path of renewable energy. They are waiting to see what comes out of Washington, he added.

BPU Board Member Groneman commented about Matlock’s question about ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding on utility assistance.

“I suggested on a couple of occasions that we look into dedicated staff or contract with somebody, if staff is not available, to work with customers in assisting them or filling out applications for KERA (Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance),” Groneman said during the Wednesday night meeting.

There was some resistance to that idea, he noted, but he was happy to see that the Unified Government is proposing they hire somebody to assist citizens with filling out the KERA applications, which include some funding for utility assistance. The UG was proposing to use some federal ARPA funding to hire someone for the position.

“I would strongly urge the BPU to work with the city and any of these other groups that are interested in seeing that this money that is available gets to our people, the ones who are in need,” Groneman said. “It seems to be nothing but a win-win situation. We help our citizens and customers, and we get revenue.”

On Aug. 5, the BPU extended its moratorium on utility shutoffs until Oct. 6 to give residents more time to file for assistance with the KERA program.

An application and information about the KERA program, which is available to renters, is online at https://kera.kshousingcorp.org/kera12#/.

U.S. Women’s National Team to play in KCK on Oct. 21

The U.S. Women’s National Team, winners of four FIFA World Cups and four Olympic Games, will travel to Kansas City to play Korea Republic at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. Soccer announced on Wednesday.

Tickets for the match will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Sept. 15 via Ticketmaster.com.

Sporting KC season ticket members will have access to a pre-sale beginning at 10 a.m. on Sept. 13 and fans can sign up now at https://sportingkc.formstack.com/forms/uswnt_tickets_on_sale_081821 to be notified when tickets go on sale.

The U.S. roster will feature the players from this summer’s bronze-medal winning Olympic Team, which includes captain Becky Sauerbrunn, KC NWSL goalkeeper Adrianna Franch and four of the top scorers in U.S. Soccer history with Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Christen Press and Megan Rapinoe.

Lloyd, the second-most capped player in the sport’s history with 312 games played in a U.S. uniform, announced her retirement this week and will conclude her international career with two U.S. Women’s National Team matches in October: Oct. 21 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, and Oct. 26 at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“I’m so excited to have the U.S. Women’s National Team in Kansas City,” head coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “It’s such a great city. It’s going to be an incredible opportunity for the team to play in front of these fans. They create such a great atmosphere.”

Andonovoski, a Kansas City area resident and graduate of Park University, won two NWSL championships in KC during his five seasons as head coach of FC Kansas City from 2013-2017 in addition to being a past player and coach for the Kansas City Comets.

“I’m very excited for the fans, but I’m also excited for all my friends and family to be in the stands and to be part of this game and part of the environment and part of the spectacle,” Andonovski said. “We’ll be able to share the experience.”

The match will be nationally broadcast on ESPN2 and TUDN. The top-ranked U.S. Women’s National Team will take on Korea Republic, ranked No. 18 in the world and building off World Cup appearances in 2015 and 2019.

The U.S. is 10-0-3 all-time against Korea Republic, having last met in a 1-1 draw on Oct. 6, 2019, in Jill Ellis’ final match as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Kansas City, a candidate host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been the host of the U.S. WNT eight times since the team’s inaugural visit in 1999. The U.S Women’s National Team has a 5-0-3 record in KC and a 3-0-1 record in four previous matches at Children’s Mercy Park since the world-class venue opened a decade ago in 2011.

The U.S. Men’s National Team won three matches at Children’s Mercy Park during the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup this summer, improving the all-time record for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams to 15-0-4 in Kansas City and 11-0-2 at the state-of-the-art stadium, including seven straight victories dating back to 2016.


U.S. National Teams in Kansas City area
• Nov. 2, 1968: MNT vs. Bermuda (W 6-2 at Municipal Stadium)
• Oct. 7, 1999: WNT vs. Finland (W 6-0 at Arrowhead Stadium)
• Aug. 20, 2000: WNT vs. Canada (T 1-1 at Arrowhead Stadium)
• April 25, 2001: MNT vs. Costa Rica (W 1-0 at Arrowhead Stadium)
• Oct. 22, 2003: WNT vs. Italy (T 2-2 at Arrowhead Stadium)
• Oct. 16, 2004: WNT vs. Mexico (W 1-0 at Arrowhead Stadium)
• June 9, 2011: MNT vs. Guadeloupe (W 1-0 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• Sept. 17, 2011: WNT vs. Canada (T 1-1 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• Oct. 16, 2012: MNT vs. Guatemala (W 3-1 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• Oct. 11, 2013: MNT vs. Jamaica (W 2-0 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• Oct. 15, 2014: WNT vs. Trinidad & Tobago (W 1-0 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• July 13, 2015: MNT vs. Panama (T 1-1 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• May 28, 2016: MNT vs. Bolivia (W 4-0 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• July 22, 2016: WNT vs. Costa Rica (W 4-0 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• July 26, 2018: WNT vs. Japan (W 4-2 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• June 26, 2019: MNT vs Panama (W 1-0 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• July 11, 2021: MNT vs Haiti (W 1-0 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• July 15, 2021: MNT vs Martinique (W 6-1 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• July 18, 2021: MNT vs Canada (W 1-0 at Children’s Mercy Park)
• Oct. 21, 2021: WNT vs Korea Republic (Children’s Mercy Park)

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