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Kansas City pummels Loons 4-0, sets up Sounders showdown

Forward Johnny Russell’s penalty kick gave Kansas City a 3-0 halftime lead against Minnesota United FC. Russell scored once and earned 2 assists. Kansas City went on to win the match 4-0. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Sporting Kansas City trounced Minnesota United FC on Wednesday evening 4-0. The win pushes Kansas City back into the top spot in the MLS Western Conference and sets up a clash for the lead against the second place Seattle Sounders on Sept. 26.

After Minnesota earned three quick scoring chances in the first five minutes, it looked like Kansas City would be in for a challenging evening. Loons forward Ethan Finlay barely missed changing the early tone of the game, but banged the ball off the crossbar instead.

The momentum reversed quickly, and after Khiry Shelton scored the first goal in the 14th minute, the outcome never looked in doubt again.

Shelton earned his goal off the rebound of a long distance Daniel Salloi shot. Minnesota goalkeeper Tyler Miller made the save but allowed the ball to ricochet back into Shelton’s path. Rushing in toward the goal, he was in just the right spot to nod the ball home.

Shelton missed his chance for a brace just moments later, hitting the crossbar off a centering pass from midfielder Roger Espinoza.

Salloi scored Kansas City’s second goal in the 36th minute. Johnny Russell made a centering pass from deep in the right corner that skittered between defenders and found Salloi in the center of the pitch. He skimmed the ball between a defender’s legs and under Miller’s dive.

Salloi’s goal was his 13th of the season, just one behind conference-leading Raul Ruidiaz of Seattle, and it earned him loud chants of “MVP” from the crowd.

In the final minute of the first half, Shelton raced past the Minnesota defense on an attacking run. Miller scrambled out to the edge of the penalty area to intercept the ball, but tripped Shelton instead with a grab at his boots as he slid underneath the tall Kansas City forward.

Though referee Robert Sibiga didn’t call a penalty at first sight, he did take a video review, and then awarded Kansas City the penalty kick. Johnny Russell’s left-footed strike from the spot put the ball just inside the right post for a 3-0 halftime lead.

Even with a hefty advantage to start the second half, Kansas City didn’t give up the attack. Russell earned his second assist of the match in the 52nd minute, crossing the ball again from the right corner and finding Cam Duke in front of the goal to score his first goal at Children’s Mercy Park.

After the 70th minute Kansas City dropped their defense lower and withstood a bit of Minnesota pressure to see out the match.

Kansas City’s defensive core of Ilie Sanchez and Andreu Fontas continued their solid performance, allowing no Minnesota shots on frame.

Kansas City has over a week to rest before playing the Seattle Sounders at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, at Children’s Mercy Park.

Minnesota goalkeeper Tyler Miller tripped forward Khiry Shelton as Shelton ran into the 18-yard box. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Minnesota goalkeeper Tyler Miller’s dive was unable to stop midfielder Cam Duke from scoring Kansas City’s 4th goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Minnesota defender D.J. Taylor slid in to dispossess forward Johnny Russell. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Cam Duke was treated roughly by Minnesota defender Bakaye Dibassy as he ran into the 18-yard box. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Daniel Salloi and Minnesota defender Brent Kallman contested the ball until goalkeeper Tyler Miller arrived to settle the matter. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Johnny Russell played the ball across the Minnesota goal to set up Daniel Salloi for the second score. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

The Halftime Dogs showed off their athletic skills. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Daniel Salloi took a shot on goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Minnesota defender D.J. Taylor headed away a pass intended for forward Johnny Russell. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Sporting KC scores early, shuts out Fire 2-0

Forward Alan Pulido, right, congratulated Johnny Russell following Russell’s goal that gave Kansas City a 2-0 lead in the match against the Chicago Fire. The game was Russell’s 100th appearance for Kansas City in the regular season. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Sporting Kansas City made two early goals stand up for a 2-0 shutout win against the Chicago Fire at Children’s Mercy Park on Friday evening.

Newly signed midfielder Jose Mauri, in his first home appearance for Sporting, scored the first goal in the 4th minute. He took a gamble on a low-percentage shot from a few yards outside the penalty area.

Mauri’s chance paid off when Chicago goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth, although well-positioned to make the save, let the ball slide underneath him and into the net.

Two minutes later, Johnny Russell, in his 100th regular season match for Kansas City, received the gift of an easy goal. The rebound from a Daniel Salloi shot came to him in front of the empty Chicago net, and a quick tap-in bagged Russell his fifth goal of the season.

Though the two quick scores made it look as though Sporting would walk away with the match, that was far from the case. Chicago made defensive adjustments that slowed the Kansas City offense, and in the second half, Chicago took the fight back to the other end of the pitch.

Some heroic saves by Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia and a couple shots that bounced off the crossbar were needed to keep Chicago off the scoreboard. The clean sheet was the team’s first at home since May.

The win moves Kansas City back into second place in the MLS Western Conference, two points behind Seattle.

The match with Chicago is the first of three consecutive home matches. With Colorado a single point behind in the standings and holding two games in hand, Sporting hopes to maximize their results in the three-game home stand.

The next match will take place against Minnesota United at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15.

The 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks brought out plenty of American flags, and a flyover of A-10 jets. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Jose Mauri, in his first match in front of the Kansas City fans, scored to give Sporting the early 1-0 lead. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Johnny Russell slid to keep control of the ball in the Chicago end. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Remy Walter headed the ball back toward the Chicago goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

The Chicago goalkeeper watched helplessly as Johnny Russell’s tap-in gave Kansas City its second goal within two minutes. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Daniel Salloi fired a shot on goal that led to a Kansas City score in the 4th minute. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

After the match, defender Ilie Sanchez got a hug, a homemade card, and a fan for life. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

A brace of Chicago defenders closed down Graham Zusi’s path to the goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Johnny Russell headed the ball near midfield. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Through a haze of celebratory blue smoke, fans in the Cauldron section cheered Mauri’s early goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Sporting KC kicks off home season Friday night

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.