by Brian Turrel
Sporting Kansas City let too many opportunities go wanting Sunday evening and let three sorely needed points slip through its grasp and into the clutches of the New York Red Bulls, who triumphed 1-0.
Despite taking 17 shots, including a couple of fine one-on-one chances by Johnny Russell against New York goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, Kansas City could not find the back of the net.
Sporting was most successful creating chances down the left side with speedy left back Logan Ndenbe connecting passes to Daniel Salloi and Cam Duke.
The teams were scoreless at halftime, but New York got the game-winner in the 53rd minute via a long range delivery from Lewis Morgan to Aaron Long, who headed the ball in from 6 yards out.
The Red Bulls’ defense played on the edge of violence, racking up a 20-10 disparity in fouls called, and even more uncalled. The brutal play caught up with them in the 68th minute when defender Sean Nealis was shown a red card for a handball that denied Cam Duke an obvious goal-scoring opportunity as he made a clean run into the New York 18-yard box.
Kansas City was unable to turn the man advantage to its favor, and New York still found counter-attacking opportunities despite limited possession time.
An insincere rash of injuries plagued the Red Bulls in the late stages of the match as one after another hit the turf in a barely disguised scheme of time-wasting. The cynical ploy drew the wrath of the Kansas City faithful, and of Kansas City manager Peter Vermes, who denounced it after the game.
“That’s a mockery what took place on the field,” said the coach. “Just the antics, I don’t believe in it. I have no respect for it. I think those things have to be different in our league.”
Kansas City plays its next three games on the road, starting at CF Montreal on July 10. The team’s next match at Children’s Mercy Park will be on July 23 against Los Angeles FC.
