Sporting Kansas City Net Four In Win Over Impact

Apr 19, 2014; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC forward Dom Dwyer (14) and defender Aurelien Collin (78) celebrate Dwyer

Dom Dwyer scored twice, Aurelien Collin added another, and the defense produced another clean sheet in Sporting Kansas City’s 4-0 victory over the Montreal Impact.

It was a very business-like performance for Sporting (3-1-2) over the winless Impact (0-3-3), especially in the second half. Sporting scored three of their four goals and completely shut down Montreal’s attack in the second 45 minutes. This truly was no contest.

“Excellent game from start to finish,” Peter Vermes said. “I thought the second half was the best half we’ve played on both sides of the ball.”

It took 38 minutes before Sporting could finally get a breakthrough at goal. Matt Besler threw a perfect ball on a set piece towards Collin who appeared to flick it to the far right corner of the goal. After further review it became apparent it was not Collin but the Impact’s Calum Mallace who made the touch that resulted in the goal. It figures that Sporting’s first goal in three weeks would come on an opponent’s own goal.

But it was the break SKC needed and their form took a new level in the second half.

Collin was the first to get on the board with a 71st minute left-footed strike from a step outside the box.  Lawrence Olum, who was surrounded by Impact defenders, manged to maintain possession and found Collin unmarked for the assist.

It appeared Collin saved the match early for Sporting after blocking a shot on goal attempt from Montreal. The Impact had a breakaway in the 13th minute and had numbers against Sporting, but Collin was their to backup goal for Eric Kronberg to keep the match scoreless. This would be the extent of Montreal’s scoring chances.

But once Collin gave Sporting the 2-0 lead, things got out of hand quickly.

In the 74th minute Dom Dwyer found the back of the net. Jacob Peterson sent a rolling cross into the box but Impact defenders failed to communicate where the ball was located. Dwyer charged in past his defender to knock it by a wobbly Tony Perkins for the goal.

Montreal’s keeper Perkins had himself a rough night. Not only did he allow four goals but his four saves were nearly as painful. None were as violent has his save in the 67th minutes when Dwyer sent a full-forced strike straight into Perkins’ face.

The rebound was taken by Graham Zusi who sent his own solid strike straight into Perkins’ sternum that cause him to fall forward as if he had the wind knocked out of him. From that point on, Perkins was much use for the Impact in goal.

Dwyer took out more frustration with another goal in the 86th minute after taking an excellent pass from Zusi and chipping it in for a goal.  Clear by four goals, Dwyer was pulled for a substitute immediately. The two goals for Dwyer were well deserved after having several strong attempts consumed by Real Salt Lake’s backup keeper Jeff Anttinella. He now leads the team with four goals in MLS play.

Vermes was pleased with Dwyers’ play as one would expect. So pleased he chose to curse.

“He was a pain in the ass for their defenders,” Vermes said of Dwyer’s performance. “[his pressure] caused a lot of difficulty for them.”

For his part, Dwyer kept the conversation focused on the team.

“We’re pleased,” he said. “A clean sheet and a lot more goals than last time.”

A lot more goals, indeed.

Sporting will be back on the pitch next Saturday, this time on the road at New England Revolution. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.