Kansas City forward Gianluca Busio juked his way past Orlando defender Rodrigo Schlegel. Busio scored Kansas City’s only goal in a 1-1 draw against Orlando Friday night. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Sporting Kansas City was happy to be back playing in front of the fans, and the 40 percent capacity crowd gave the stadium the atmosphere of a true home game for the first time in over a year.
Kansas City and Orlando delivered a home opener whose excitement belied the 1-1 final score.
Kansas City started with the early attack, playing out of the back and pushing aggressively up field. The space behind Sporting’s offense gave Orlando the opportunity to counter, but the new-look defense was quick to recover. Kansas City’s defensive speed may give its offense opportunities it hasn’t had in a few years.
An apparent Kansas City goal in the 13th minute by defender Nicolas Isimat-Marin was called back for offsides after a video review. The aggressiveness of both sides kept the linesmen busy waving the offsides flag throughout the match.
Sporting got on the board first just before halftime. Daniel Salloi won the ball in the Orlando penalty area and played from the endline back to Gianluca Busio about 12 yards out on the left side. After the game, Busio remarked that Orlando’s defender had been shading him toward the back post, so he fired low and just inside the near post for the score.
Orlando took the initiative in the second half, holding the ball for extended possessions in dangerous areas of Kansas City’s end. Orlando appeared to have its equalizer just after halftime, but a second video review nullified that goal.
Orlando finally drew level in the 79th minute. Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp blocked a shot from Chris Mueller, but the defense was unable to clear it.
Standing with his back to the goal as the ball rolled to him, Orlando forward Nani calmly chipped it with the back of his heel and into the net. Nani’s score was initially voided for an offsides infraction, but the third video review of the game revived it.
Although Kansas City pressed the offense in the late minutes, Orlando was content to see out the draw.
Sporting will play next at Real Salt Lake on May 1 at 1 p.m. The next home match is May 9 at 6:30 p.m. against Austin FC, in Austin’s inaugural season in Major League Soccer.
As Orlando midfielder Andres Perea prepared to fire a shot on goal, Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza crashed in to knock the ball away. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp charged out to break up a shot attempt, sending Orlando defender Rodrigo Schlegel flying. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
KC defender Roberto Puncec went up over Orlando defender Rodrigo Schlegel to win a header. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kansas City forward Alan Pulido took a free kick from just outside the Orlando penalty area. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kansas City defender Luis Martins tried to keep out Orlando forward Benji Michel. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
KC forward Alan Pulido headed the ball on goal, but had to watch as it floated into the arms of Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kansas City forward Daniel Salloi hustled back to defend against Orlando defender Ruan. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
With Tim Melia still out with an injury, reserve goalkeeper John Pulskamp is expected to be the starter at Friday’s home opener against Orlando City. Pulskamp won his first MLS start last Saturday before hitting his 20th birthday on April 19. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Sporting Kansas City will return to action at Children’s Mercy Park on Friday night, facing off against Orlando City SC starting at 6:30 p.m. Sporting won its season opener last Saturday against the New York Red Bulls.
For the home opener, the stadium will allow fans at 40 percent capacity, with masks and distancing required.
The team held a practice on Wednesday open to the media. Head coach Peter Vermes didn’t divulge any secrets about Friday’s lineup, but the sets that the team ran during the structured scrimmage indicate a very aggressive, pressing style of play that will exploit changes in possession to create scoring opportunities.
After the practice, Vermes discussed the upcoming season. He reveled in the opportunity to play in front of larger crowds.
“To me it’s everything,” the coach said. “The fans create the ambience. They create the environment.”
The 2021 MLS schedule is weighted toward more games in the second half to take advantage of expected loosening of attendance restrictions. Vermes talked up the young players on his team and how their ability to contribute will become more important as the schedule becomes more congested in late summer and fall.
“I’m most proud of the fact that a lot of the young players have not only been able to sign a contract with us and come through the program, but more importantly start to contribute in a meaningful way,” Vermes said. “Each year they’ve got to keep taking a big step.”
Children’s Mercy Park also announced the opening of the Variety KC Sensory Room, a quieter space for children with special needs and their families to enjoy the game. Sporting will also make available “sensory backpacks” that include items to provide a comforting experience for special needs children, such as weighted blankets, headphones, and fidget toys.
Head coach Peter Vermes took time out for a teachable moment with team captain Johnny Russell during Wednesday’s scrimmage. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Midfielder Gianluca Busio got out on a breakaway during Wednesday’s scrimmage. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Children’s Mercy Park held a ribbon-cutting for its new Variety KC Sensory Room and services to make the stadium a better experience for special needs children. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
A crème-topped brownie with cookie crumbles is one of the new menu items Children’s Mercy Park will have available this season. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
A barbecue “sundae” with beans, slaw, and burnt ends is one of the new menu items that Children’s Mercy Park will have available this season. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Piper junior Divante Herrig-Brittian ran the anchor leg of the boys’ 4×100-meter relay. The team (Macon, Griffin, Lynch, Herrig-Brittian) finished first with a time of 44.92 seconds and the Pirates won the team competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Basehor-Linwood High School held the Bobcat Relays track and field meet on Friday evening, including athletes from Bonner Springs, Piper, Turner and Washington high schools.
The Piper boys took home the team trophy, notching wins in several events. On the girls’ side, Piper took second, just behind the host team.
Bonner Springs placed fifth in both the girls’ and boys’ team scoring. The Turner Golden Bears placed eighth on the boys’ side and tenth on the girls’. Washington placed ninth on the girls’ and boys’ standings.
Piper’s boys’ relay teams took first in the 4×100, 4×400, and 4×800-meter relays. Divante Herrig-Brittian was first in the boys’ 100-meter dash and triple jump.
Grant Lockwood and Davis Capps won the boys’ 400- and 800-meter races. Tony Cobbs won the shot put, and Logan Ladish won the javelin throw.
Piper got a standout performance from senior Kinley Brown, who won the girls’ 100-, 200- and 400-meter distances. Grace Hanson continued the Lady Pirates’ domination into the longer races by winning the 800- and 1600-meter runs.
For Bonner Springs, Emmalee Foya won the 3200-meter run, and the girls’ 4×800-meter relay team took first place.
Turner’s evening ended on a high note, with the boys’ 4×400-meter relay team taking third place in the meet’s final event. Cyra Chronister finished second in the girls’ 1600-meter run, and David Taylor placed second in the boys’ 800-meter run.
For Washington, Jessica Robinson earned fourth in the girls’ 100-meter dash, and Hendre Benton took fourth in the boys’ 300-meter hurdles. The girls’ and boys’ 4×100-meter relay teams placed fifth and sixth.
The well-attended meet started bright and warm, but took a chilly turn midway as clouds, wind and light rain moved through.
Piper senior Kinley Brown hit her stride in the opening turn of the girls’ 400-meter dash. Brown won the event with a time of 1 minute, 2.76 seconds. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Piper senior Davis Capps raced out to the lead in the boys’ 4×800-meter relay. The team (Capps, Huisman, Thomas, Lockwood) won the event with a time of 8 minutes, 52.15 seconds. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Piper sophomore Grace Hanson led the pack in the girls’ 800-meter run. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs sophomore Amanda Hill celebrated as she crossed the finish line in the girls’ 4×800-meter relay. The team (Herron, Knight, Foya, Hill) finished first with a time of 11 minutes, 13.10 seconds. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs freshman Emmalee Foya had a big lead as she ran down the final straightaway of the girls’ 3200-meter run. Foya finished first with a time of 13 minutes, 28.15 seconds. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Bonner Springs junior Noah Doss ran the first leg of the boys’ 4×100-meter relay. The team (Doss, Hervey, McWilliams, Andrewjeski) finished fourth with a time of 46.67 seconds. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Turner junior Tyzhaun Cole, foreground, raced against senior teammate Mareyion Holmes in the boys’ 100-meter dash. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Turner junior David Taylor bided his time in the field before making a strong move to finish second in the boys’ 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes, 9.29 seconds. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Turner junior Ma’Liyah Anderson sprinted around the first turn of the girls’ 400-meter dash. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Washington sophomore Sharis Rush burst out of the blocks at the start of the girls’ 400-meter dash. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Washington freshman Michael Lee raced in the boys’ 100-meter dash. Lee finished eighth with a time of 12.03 seconds. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Washington senior Alvin Dupree crossed the finish line in the boys’ 100-meter dash. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Bonner Springs sophomore Jenna Knight ran in the girls’ 300-meter hurdles. Knight finished second with a time of 50.58 seconds. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
