Serving Kansas City (Wyandotte County) Kansas for over 50 years!
by Brian Turrel
Edwardsville Soccer, in cooperation with the Kansas City T-Bones, continued its Stadium Series this weekend, as host of teams from Edwardsville, Turner and Basehor at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.
Thirty-three teams from pre-K through eighth grade are participating this year. The event gives local youth teams the uncommon opportunity to play in a stadium setting.
Matches continue from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Photos copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel
by Brian Turrel
Paola High School played the spoilers at Bonner Springs High School’s homecoming game on Friday night, defeating the home team, 37 – 14.
Paola took advantage of three tipped passes for interceptions, including one returned by defensive back Drew Smith for a touchdown to seal the game in the fourth quarter.
Paola also used its control of the offensive line to move the ball steadily on the ground, leaving short third down plays that running back Colton Gleghorn consistently converted.
Bonner Springs opened the game on a high note, recovering a Paola fumble on the kickoff. The Braves took advantage of the short field, scoring on a 10-yard pass play from Noah Villarreal.
However, Bonner Springs wasn’t able to establish control on subsequent possessions and handed the ball over to Paola in good field position.
Down 21 – 7 late in the second quarter, Bonner coach Chad Eaddy brought in reserve senior quarterback Cole Oakes. Oakes brought a sense of urgency to the closing minutes of the half, driving the ball the length of the field on a series of successful run and pass plays.
Bonner capped the drive with a 2-yard run from senior Gavin Lindesay. However, the Braves were not able to maintain the momentum going into the second half, and Paola pulled away.
Bonner Springs’ record falls to 3 – 3 on the year. The team travels next Friday to Pittsburg, Kan.
Photos copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel
by Brian Turrel
Sporting Kansas City fell to the Vancouver Whitecaps 1 – 0 at Children’s Mercy Park Saturday evening, ending Sporting KC’s undefeated streak on their home field. The loss handed the Whitecaps a big advantage in the MLS Western Conference standings.
Sporting KC came into the evening with the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot, and they played the first half like they deserved it, taking a big advantage in possession time (76 percent to 24 percent) and shots (12 to 5). Vancouver was not able to put a single shot on goal in the first half.
Sporting KC created several first-half chances, with defender Graham Zusi playing well up into the attacking zone and forward Diego Rubio launching five shots, including a penalty kick. However, they weren’t able to slip any shots past Vancouver goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic, and the teams went to halftime in a scoreless tie.
In the second half, Vancouver pulled ahead in the 53rd minute when forward Erik Hurtado volleyed in a long pass from Jordan Harvey. With the lead, Vancouver slowed the pace of the game, looking to run out the clock.
Two red cards marred the final minutes of the game. Sporting KC defender Graham Zusi was disqualified for a foul on a potentially goal-scoring breakaway by Vancouver. Two minutes later, Christian Bolanos of Vancouver was disqualified for a severe foul against KC midfielder Benny Feilhaber.
After the loss, Sporting KC sits four points behind Vancouver in the Western Conference standings, in a second-place tie with Seattle and Portland. KC plays plays next against Minnesota United in Minneapolis on Saturday, Oct. 7.
Photos copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel
