by Brian Turrel
Johnny Russell’s streak of strong play was not enough to keep Sporting Kansas City from a second home loss this week. Orlando City scored twice in the first half and then held off Kansas City through the second half to fly away with the 2-1 win.
Russell scored in his third straight game, and posted his third goal of the week just after the half. Graham Zusi brought the ball up the right side then played a diagonal ball forward to Gerso Fernandes on the left boundary of the penalty area. Gerso settled the ball then lofted it across the goal mouth to find Russell waiting at the far post to head in the cross.
Sporting spotted Orlando a two-goal half-time margin, giving up both goals in a span of 2 minutes late in the first half. Orlando controlled the ball for most of the first half, but had trouble finding shot opportunities until their its barrage.
After the game, head coach Peter Vermes traced a common theme in the team’s last two losses, giving away goals due to poor defensive decision-making.
“In the last game we scored more than enough goals to win,” Vermes said, “but we gave up three just absolute terrible goals. And we did that again tonight. I’ve already told the guys that’s just got to change.”
The loss drops Kansas City to third place in the increasingly crowded Western Conference standings. Only 4 points separates first place Seattle from Salt Lake in the eighth and final playoff position.
Sporting will play next at the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, Sept. 27. Major League Soccer recently announced the remaining season schedule. Kansas City will play 10 more regular season matches, extending through Nov. 8.
