Sporting Kansas City: Four takeaways from past two matches

It’s been a rough two matches for Sporting Kansas City. Here are four findings from their two losses.

On the week of their 20th anniversary of the club’s 2000 MLS Cup win over the Chicago Fire, Sporting KC suffered two frustrating results with a loss to Dallas on Wednesday before drawing with Chicago on Saturday.

Sporting Kansas City was shutout on Wednesday against FC Dallas as Dallas escaped with a 1-0 victory thanks to the lack of intervention from VAR.

Sporting had a quick turnaround against Chicago Fire FC, but they were only able to get a point after surrendering the lead twice, including with virtually the last kick of the game as they left Soldier Field with a 2-2 draw with SKC goals from Erik Hurtado and Gadi Kinda.

In the end, to have two points dropped in the fashion that Chicago stole them, on a hopeful ball forward with the last kick of the game, it really sums up the past two games for Sporting. With a week to rest, Sporting should come back ready with a refreshed roster that will include Alan Pulido for the final four matches of the regular season as they make a push to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Here is what was learned from Sporting’s two recent results against Dallas and Chicago.

1. Officiating frustrations

Honestly, it’s pretty impressive how long Peter Vermes has held his job considering his fiery personality on the sidelines and all the frustrating moments his team has had with officials over the past 11 years. The officials were once again at the forefront of conversation over the past two matches.

Following the officiating debacle in Dallas, which wrongly disallowed a late equalizer for Sporting KC without the help of VAR, the crew for the game in Chicago didn’t do SKC any favors after VAR rewarded a goal to the Fire before they decided not to intervene in the second half, denying SKC a clear penalty.

2. Right-back uncertainty

With Graham Zusi out, SKC Academy product Jaylin Lindsey has stepped in and done a decent job at right-back. One major problem for Lindsey has been in the attacking areas of the pitch. While Lindsey seems the better defender, his abilities in the final third need some work. This was clear in the match against Chicago, where he had major troubles at times providing good service for his teammates.

Lindsey has had a couple of half-chances that he did really poorly with and his service into the box isn’t nearly as good as Zusi’s. Overall, Zusi clearly seems to be the better option but he remains out after picking up an injury on Oct. 7. With further testing, the club should be able to give an injury update on Zusi’s injury in the coming days.

3. Dia better than Martins?

Coming into the season it appeared that Luis Martins had a firm grip on the left-back starting position. Recently, it has been Amadou Dia stepping in for the injured Martins and doing a terrific job. He’s been able to provide some good service getting up the left flank and he has done well defensively.

Martins is back from injury and Dia has started and played well for much of the last six matches. Dia has certainly taken his first chance to return to MLS and perhaps has outright won the job at right-back for now, but that can change quickly.

4. Still a lot to be positive about

While Sporting did only get one point from six points available, this two-game stretch could have been worse. SKC rebounded well from being robbed of an equalizer on Wednesday and played pretty well for an afternoon game in wind and on tall grass on Saturday against a team on full rest. On top of that, the other teams around them didn’t do too well either, which gives them a nine-point cushion in the playoff race with four matches remaining.

Now entering a full week of rest, Sporting will return to action next Saturday when they host the Colorado Rapids. The rest will be ushered with the availability of Alan Pulido, who will be returning from quarantine after coming back from international duty with Mexico. Along with that is the chance for players like Khiry Shelton and any other players banged up to heal more fully.