by Brian Turrel
Sporting KC tied Real Salt Lake 1-1 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Monday, overcoming a halftime deficit, but missing the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot with a win.
Sporting KC applied offensive pressure in the opening minutes, only to see Salt Lake strike first on a counter in the 9th minute. Striker Corey Baird put Salt Lake ahead 1-0 with his shot from near the penalty spot.
Defender Ike Opara leveled the score early in the second half, heading in a corner kick from Johnny Russell. Sporting KC put four more shots on goal in the half, but was denied each time by Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
The tie leaves Sporting KC in second place in the MLS Western Conference, two points behind FC Dallas with four games remaining in the regular season. Sporting will play the Los Angeles Galaxy next Saturday in Kansas City, Kansas, with another chance to assure a place in the MLS Cup playoffs in November.
Sporting KC celebrated Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in several ways. Players wore gold ribbons, and a gold-colored ball was used in play. The team also invited back previous honorees of their Victory Project program, with over 50 families in attendance. The Victory Project is a partnership with Children’s Mercy Hospital that benefits children with second cancer diagnoses.
Dagan Lingenfelter, a previous Victory Project participant, was on the field for the recognition ceremony before the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
