Sporting Kansas City returned to winning ways on Saturday, defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-0 at Red Bull Arena.
Benny Feilhaber and Dom Dwyer scored on either side of halftime, while goalkeeper Tim Melia enjoyed a brilliant night with six saves, including one from the penalty spot, to post his third shutout of the season.
With the result, Sporting Kansas City (4-1-0, 12 points) snapped a six-game winless run against the Red Bulls and notched consecutive road wins for the first time since July 2014. Despite holding a 22-7 edge in shots, New York (1-4-0, 3 points) suffered their second straight loss and failed to score for the fourth time in 2016.
The first 15 minutes saw both teams create multiple opportunities. Zusi was involved early and often, delivering a precise cross to the far post for Connor Hallisey, whose one-time attempt on the half-volley skipped wide of frame in the fourth minute. At the other end, Nuno Andre Coelho was forced to block a pair of strikes amidst heavy pressure, first from Lloyd Sam and then from Bradley Wright-Phillips.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 17th minute off a wonderfully worked counter-attack down the right flank. Dwyer held up possession with a defender at his back before playing Zusi into space down the wing. The U.S. international flashed a low ball across the face of goal for Feilhaber, who marked his 150th career MLS appearance with his second goal in as many games.
New York responded with multiple waves of pressure for the remainder of the half, tallying 15 total shots before the break – the most faced by Sporting KC in the first half of a match since June 2011. Wright-Phillips set an MLS record with eight first-half shots alone, but was thwarted multiple times by Melia. The Sporting KC keeper produced his first great stop in the 20th minute, diving at full extension to push Wright-Phillips’ header wide of the post. Melia foiled the prolific striker again seven minutes later, making a reflex save following an incisive Red Bulls attack.
Manager Peter Vermes was forced to make his first of two injury substitutions in the 42nd minute after Kevin Ellis sustained a groin injury. Center back Ike Opara was summoned to replace him, making his first MLS appearance since April 11, 2015, after missing most of last year with a ruptured Achilles. Seven minutes into the second half, Saad Abdul-Salaam entered the match as Chance Myers was forced off with a left hamstring strain.
Abdul-Salaam provided an instant impact, playing a role in Sporting KC’s second goal on the hour mark. The outside back heaved a long throw into the penalty area for Dwyer, who let the ball bounce, swiveled past Chris Duvall and buried a close-range strike past Luis Robles for his third goal in three career appearances at Red Bull Arena.
Melia’s superb performance between the posts continued in the 64th minute when referee Fotis Bazakos awarded New York a penalty kick for a handball on Opara inside the box. Wright-Phillips stepped to the spot seeking his first goal of 2016, but was made to wait even longer as Melia sprung to his right to make the first penalty kick save of his MLS career.
New York’s frustration was further compounded in the 72nd minute. Mike Grella beat multiple defenders before pulling the trigger from the left side of the box, but Melia was well-positioned to deny the winger. Four minutes later, Anatole Abang’s flick-on header fell to the feel of Wright-Phillips inside the six-yard box. The Englishman poked a shot on target amid heavy traffic, but it was straight at Melia’s midsection.
Both of Sporting Kansas City’s scoring plays saw players continue their rise up the club’s all-time regular season charts. Zusi rose to second place in club history with his 46th career assist, while Dwyer moved into a tie for fourth place with his 39th career goal. With 12 points through five games, Sporting KC is off to its best start since 2012 when the team opened 7-0-0.
Sporting Kansas City will return to Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday for the club’s highly anticipated 20th Anniversary Night against the Colorado Rapids at 7:30 p.m. A limited number of tickets for the Western Conference tilt are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Wednesday’s contest marks the 20th anniversary of Kansas City’s inaugural MLS match, a 3-0 win over Colorado on April 13, 1996, and South Stand general admission tickets are going for $19.96 with the promotional code WIZ1996.
– Story from Sporting KC