Sporting KC falls to FC Dallas, 3-2

Sixteen-year-old midfielder Gianluco Busio made his MLS debut for Sporting KC against FC Dallas on Saturday in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Sporting Kansas City’s defensive struggles continued on Saturday night. FC Dallas forward Michael Barrios stung Kansas City for three goals in a 3 – 2 victory at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Dallas scored the only goal of the first half in the 23rd minute. Defender Ike Opara lost the ball in the lights on a long pass forward from Victor Ulloa, allowing Barrios to chip the ball in from 15 yards.

Forward Gerso Fernandes evened the score just after halftime, beating two Dallas defenders on the right wing and then twisting a shot inside the far post.

Dallas moved back in front in the 62nd minute on another long pass forward to Barrios, who beat charging goalkeeper Tim Melia.

Dallas went up by two in the 74th minute when Kansas City’s defense failed to clear the ball after a block, leaving the ball in front of the net for Barrios to clean up.

Sporting made a challenge late in the game, with Daniel Salloi knocking home a rebound off a KC corner kick.

Sixteen-year-old Gianluco Busio made his debut for Sporting KC as a substitute for Felipe Gutierrez in the 77th minute.

The loss marks six games without a win for Sporting KC, sliding back over the past month to nine points behind first-place Dallas in the MLS Western Conference standings. Sporting will play the Houston Dynamo on the road next Saturday.

A sliding shot attempt by Gerso Fernandes went wide to the left in the game’s opening minutes. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Recovered from sports hernia surgery, midfielder Felipe Gutierrez played in his first game since March 31. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Sporting KC defender Jaylin Lindsey beat Dallas defender Reggie Cannon with some outstanding footwork. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
A sliding challenge from Dallas defender Marquinhos Pedroso broke up a shot attempt by Sporting KC forward Gerso Fernandes. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Gerso Fernandes beat two defenders to launch his goal-scoring shot in the second half. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Fans in the south stands of Children’s Mercy Park celebrated the Gerso Fernandes goal scored right in front of them. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Sporting forward Diego Rubio took a shot from Dallas defender Matt Hedges. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Sporting KC forward Daniel Salloi scored in second-half stoppage time to make the score 3-2. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Marquinhos Pedroso received a yellow card for his dangerous tackle on Gerso Fernandes. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)