by Brian Turrel
Sporting Kansas City capped an unsatisfying home schedule with an unsatisfying result, playing Portland to a 2-2 draw Sunday evening at Children’s Mercy Park.
Against the lofty expectations of previous years when Kansas City has enjoyed a daunting home field advantage, in 2019 they posted only seven home wins, against six losses and four draws.
On Sunday night, the visitors scored first, in the 29th minute. Portland forward Sebastian Blanco curled the ball past goalkeeper Tim Melia off a rebounding block from Ilie Sanchez, who started the match at center back instead of his usual midfield post.
Krisztian Nemeth leveled the score almost immediately, heading in a cross from Johnny Russell for his eighth MLS goal of the year, but only the first since May 18th against Vancouver.
In the 36th minute, each squad was reduced by one when KC midfielder Roger Espinoza and Portland forward Brian Fernandez were both sent off after a combative exchange.
Immediately after the half, Daniel Salloi created one of the bright spots of the game. Salloi posted his first goal of the season, and gave his team a 2-1 lead, by cleaning up the rebound of a Gianluca Busio shot off the goalpost. Salloi was Sporting’s leading scorer a year ago, but has been frustrated by poor shooting and poor luck through the season.
In the 84th minute, Ilie brought down Portland forward Jeremy Ebobisse in the penalty area. The foul earned Ilie a red card, and earned Portland a penalty kick, which was knocked in by Dairon Asprilla. Melia had saved all three previous penalties he faced this year, but dove to his right as Asprilla’s shot sailed the other direction.
Down a man, Kansas City held on defensively through the end of the match, but was unable to mount an effective attack after Ilie’s ejection.
Sporting Kansas City has one more match in the 2019 season, next Sunday at 3 p.m. at FC Dallas.
