by Brian Turrel
Sporting Kansas City needed all 90 minutes and then some to earn a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday evening.
Daniel Salloi’s stoppage time goal, his 12th of the season, salvaged what was nearly a wasted opportunity to earn points against a conference rival.
Portland was content to sit back defensively for most of the game, ceding 69% of the possession to Kansas City, and offensive opportunities were few for the home team throughout the first half.
Portland went ahead in the 17th minute on a header from Felipe Mora off a cross by Marvin Loria.
In the second half, Kansas City came out with new offensive determination. Sporting pressed repeatedly into the Portland box, but failed to find the finishing touch.
The closest opportunity for an equalizer in regulation was a header from Gadi Kinda in the 60th minute that forced Portland goalkeeper Steve Clark to make a snap save.
Kansas City was still at a disadvantage when the 90th minute arrived, and the fourth official received an ovation when he indicated 8 minutes of stoppage time for a possible comeback.
Two minutes in, Salloi brought the ball up the right side, passing up a cross into the box in favor of his own shot from 18 yards out. The shot rocketed past Clark and into the net, setting off a relieved celebration from the crowd.
In the final minutes, Kansas City made a spirited attempt to find a winner and survived a near-tragic counterattack by Portland, but was unable to change the final score.
The draw keeps Kansas City in second place in the MLS Western Conference behind Seattle. Sporting will play at Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. The next home game will be at 8 p.m. Aug. 28 against the Colorado Rapids.
