Sporting KC Back On Track With Win In Columbus
Sporting KC’s hopes of finishing atop the Eastern Conference got some help on Saturday night. Kansas City went to Columbus to take on the Crew, and went home with three points after their 1-0 victory. With New England drawing against New York Red Bulls 2-2, that leaves KC two points behind New York with one game in hand.
Oct 5, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Tony Tchani (6) steals the ball from Sporting KC midfielder/forward Graham Zusi (8) at Crew Stadium. Sporting KC won the match 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Before the match started some Sporting KC supporters were questioning why Designated Player Claudio Bieler was not starting or on the bench. Bieler played 34 minutes against Philadelphia last weekend, and without him on the team on Saturday night, some are questioning his status with the team. It is more than likely that manager Peter Vermes is saving Bieler for their important match on Wednesday night when they travel to Houston to take on the Dynamo.
While Saturday night played like a typical Sporting KC game (strong defense by Kansas City, lack of creativity in the final third, and many shots on goal), one part of the game was quite the anomaly. The Crew dominated possession against Sporting KC, with 65% of the possession in the match. Kansas City is usually the team that possesses the ball for the majority of the match.
Sporting KC was able to open the scoring in the 17th minute. After a corner was partially cleared to Graham Zusi, he found defender Ike Opara wide open on the far post. Opara was able to head the ball past Crew goalkeeper Matt Lampson. It was Opara’s third goal of the season, and has proved to be a valuable asset on set pieces.
As expected, the home side tried to find the equalizer quickly, but Sporting’s defense held tight. United States international Matt Besler returned to the starting line up, and his performance against Columbus was excellent. His presence on the field brings a sense of calmness to the Sporting back line.
Besler was part of a horrible collision in the second half. Besler and Crew defender Chad Barson jumped to head a ball, but their heads collided. Besler landed on the ground with blood gushing from his forehead. He returned to the match wearing a numberless jersey and a concussion headband to protect his wound.
Oct 5, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew forward/midfielder Dominic Oduro (11) chips the ball past Sporting KC defender Seth Sinovic (15) at Crew Stadium. Sporting KC won the match 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
The Crew pushed to find their first goal of the match, but Sporting KC’s defense did not allow that to come. Columbus managed one shot on goal all game, which came in the 81st minute. Bernardo Anor headed the ball towards goal from a corner kick, and Kansas City defender Seth Sinovic was able to deflect the ball off the goal line to keep the visitors in the lead.
Sporting KC now have 51 points on the season, two points behind New York with one game in hand. Sporting is also only one point behind Real Salt Lake, meaning that Kansas City can make a decent run for the Supporter’s Shield with three games left in the season. Kansas City will travel to Houston on Wednesday to take on the Dynamo. That match starts at 7:30pm.