by Brian Turrel
Sporting Kansas City defeated MLS newcomers Austin FC 2-1 on an unseasonably chilly Sunday evening. The game marked the return of two long-time Sporting stalwarts, Graham Zusi and Matt Besler.
Zusi returned in Sporting blue from a season-ending foot surgery he underwent in October 2020. Native Kansas Citian Besler, released in the off season, returned in the black and green of Austin’s expansion team. Both received a standing ovation from the crowd at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
Austin struck early, getting a goal in the 7th minute from forward Jon Gallagher, who received a beautiful pass through from Jared Stroud and slid the ball under a low dive from Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp.
Kansas City created the most dangerous opportunities in the remainder of the first half, but they failed to convert on some favorable chances from close range, leaving the halftime score 1-0.
In the second half, Austin looked as if it might be able to keep Kansas City contained, until Austin captain Alex Ring was disqualified in the 67th minute for his second yellow card.
Sporting used the man advantage to accelerate its scoring chances, quickly reasserting itself after any loss of possession. The offensive pressure finally paid off in the 82nd minute when Ilie Sanchez headed in a Johnny Russell corner kick for the equalizer.
Kansas City still looked capable of more, and got it from late substitute Gadi Kinda on the edge of regulation time. Luis Martins crossed the ball in from the far left side to Khiry Shelton for a flick on to Kinda, who headed it home.
Kansas City saw out the 7 minutes of stoppage time to wrap up the victory, the first at home this year.
“I actually can’t describe in words what it felt to be back in front of the fans,” Zusi said after the game. “It kind of caught me off guard, I was a bit emotional when I came out for warm-ups. It felt fantastic to be back and to cap it off with a win as well.”
Sporting will head to Houston for a Wednesday night game against the Dynamo. The team will return home for a Sunday afternoon match with the Vancouver Whitecaps. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. at Children’s Mercy Park.
