Atlanta United comes back to tie Sporting KC, 1-1

by Brian Turrel

Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes refused to call Sunday’s 1 – 1 draw against Atlanta United FC bittersweet. It was only bitter, he said. “We gave up a ridiculous goal at the end.”

Former Sporting KC player Jacob Peterson scored in second-half stoppage time to take away what had seemed like a solid Sporting victory over the league’s highest scoring team.

The game was scoreless through the first half as both teams felt out the other’s defense. Sporting’s ball control let them keep the advantage in shots and possession. Atlanta fought back, playing an aggressive style that led to 20 fouls and 5 yellow cards for the match, but earned them 19 won tackles.

Sporting finally broke through in the 59th minute when forward Latif Blessing was taken to the ground in the penalty area. Midfielder Benny Feilhaber sent home the penalty kick to give Sporting a 1 – 0 advantage.

With the lead, Sporting intensified its ball control and shot advantage. Jacob Peterson came on as a substitute in the 67th minute to a cheer from the home crowd that remembered his time in a Sporting uniform.

In stoppage time as the Kansas City crowd chanted, “I believe that we will win,” Peterson slipped past a cluster of Sporting defenders and faced goalkeeper Tim Melia alone, threading the ball inside the left post to earn his new team a point on the road.

Kansas City plays next at home on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. in the U.S. Open Cup semi-final game against the San Jose Earthquakes.