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KC NWSL starts winning tradition with back-to-back home wins

Louisville goalkeeper Michelle Betos got to the ball a split second ahead of the impact from forward Kristen Hamilton. Hamilton had 3 shots on goal, and scored the match winner. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Kansas City NWSL gained its second win of the season and second consecutive home victory on Wednesday evening against Racing Louisville FC 2-1.

Forward Kristen Hamilton, appearing in her 100th NWSL match, struck the game-winner in the 40th minute when she received a long pass forward from Hailie Mace and sprinted past the Louisville defense.

With only the goalkeeper to beat, Hamilton steered the ball neatly between the diving keeper’s outstretched arm and the near post to give Kansas City a 2-0 halftime lead.

Kansas City pressed high up the field from the start of the match, frustrating the Louisville back line and earning offensive opportunities and set pieces.

The intense effort paid off in the 18th minute with a Louisville own goal — a deflection off a Racing defender in close action near the goal.

Louisville forward CeCe Kizer narrowed the margin with a goal in the 64th minute, but Kansas City dropped back in a more defensive stance and held on for the remainder of the match.

An unexpectedly large contingent of violet-clad Racing Louisville fans swelled the Legends Field crowd due to two local players on the roster. Kizer, of Overland Park, started the match and scored Louisville’s only goal.

Sinclaire Miramontez, of Lenexa, came on as a halftime substitute for Louisville. She was sent off when she earned her second yellow card during stoppage time.

Despite the win, Kansas City remains in the basement of the NWSL league standings, but edges within 4 points of Louisville, the league’s other expansion franchise.

Kansas City will play at Chicago on Saturday. The next home match will be against the North Carolina Courage at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5.

Forward Gaby Vincent collided with Louisville forward CeCe Kizer as they both went for a header. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Jessica Silva held her own against two Louisville defenders near the endline. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta celebrated with the crowd in the supporters section in the west side of the stadium. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Kristen Hamilton got past Louisville defender Sinclaire Miramontez for a shot on goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Kristen Hamilton celebrated her first half goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, a native of Salina, made her home debut with Kansas City after being traded from the Portland Thorns last week. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Defender Kristen Edmonds held off Louisville forward CeCe Kizer. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Victoria Pickett tried to get an edge around the Louisville defense. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Louisville forward CeCe Kizer, an Overland Park native, had a big crowd of friends and family waiting to greet her after the match. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Salloi stoppage time score saves Sporting KC draw

Forward Daniel Salloi scored the game-tying goal in the 92nd minute of Kansas City’s 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers. The goal was Salloi’s 12th of the year, tying him for second-most in the league. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

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.

Forward Johnny Russell headed the ball toward the Portland goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

A young fan celebrated Salloi’s equalizing goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Portland defender Claudio Bravo disclaimed any responsibility for Johnny Russell falling down. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Alan Pulido caught up with a pass into the Portland penalty area. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

A first half shot from forward Daniel Salloi eluded the dive of Portland goalkeeper Steve Clark, but went narrowly wide of the post. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Defender Ilie Sanchez jumped to head the ball as it was punched away by Portland goalkeeper Steve Clark. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Daniel Salloi played the ball from the Portland endline. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Roger Espinoza crossed the ball in from the left side. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Gadi Kinda attempted to dribble past Portland midfielder Sebastian Blanco. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Sporting’s Busio impresses in 6-1 USMNT win

Midfielder Gianluca Busio started his first match for the U.S. men’s national team and earned his first assist with a cross to Nicholas Gioacchini late in the 6-1 victory over Martinique. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

7,500 soccer fans stayed up late Thursday night at Children’s Mercy Park to watch the United States men’s national soccer team defeat Martinique 6-1 in a Gold Cup group stage match. The win sets up a showdown with rival Canada in the final game of the group stage on Sunday.

The match was the first national team start for Sporting Kansas City fan favorite Gianluca Busio. The 19-year-old midfielder posted his first national team assist, and nearly his first goal.

Busio featured prominently in the game, getting cheers from the crowd with each touch. He took all the corner and set piece kicks for the squad and kept a tight rein on the action in the center of the pitch.

Daryl Dike scored first for the U.S. in the 15th minute, heading in the ball off a pass from Matthew Hoppe.

Eight minutes later, Busio came within a few inches of his first international goal but banged his shot off the crossbar. A Martinique defender vainly attempted to flip away the rebound but scored an own goal to put the U.S. ahead by 2.

Miles Robinson’s header put the U.S. ahead 3-0 in the 49th minute, and Dike earned a brace in the 59th minute by chipping the ball over Martinique’s onrushing goalkeeper.

Martinique got a few dangerous chances on counterattacks midway through the second half, and clawed back a goal in the 64th minute on a penalty kick.

Busio earned his assist on the final goal of the match. He got the ball near the right corner of the penalty area and pushed up the side of the box. His cross found Nicholas Gioacchini 6 yards out from the mouth of the goal for an easy finish and a 6-1 win.

The win assures the U.S. team of advancing to the knockout stage of the tournament, but winning the group and a more advantageous seed will be theirs with a win over Canada on Sunday at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. The game will kick off at 4 p.m.