Few times have Sporting Kansas City fans looked back and said ‘That Jacob Peterson, we really cannot deal without him’. Fans were looking for anything and anyone to step up and be the leader that they know is needed to win some matches. So at Peter Vermes direction Peterson entered the field for Brad Davis and within a minute Dom Dwyer headed home a headed pass from Jacob to tie things up. As they say the rest is history.
Taking part in the two goals that leveled things up and then took the lead Sporting Kansas City’s utility man Jacob Peterson more than deserves his credit in the victory for the hosts.
This particular win comes after a six match winless skid that had started chatter from the fan base of where the club was headed.
At the end of the day the sheer number of shots, 34, was the most in club history and third most in league history. The efficiency in front of goal just was not there and yet the robustness of the days hero was all that was needed in a match that just preached lopsided.
Soccer is a game wherein the best team on that day doesn’t always win.
Orlando City didn’t even have a shot on target. Their loan goal came by way of the own goal as a scramble ended with Jimmy Medranda putting the ball in his own net in front of the home supporters.
In all honesty this was a match that was not for the supporters.
The traveling away contingent saw their team time and time again get beat to the ball and had their heart jump into their throat as so many shots were off target. The shots on target were directly into the hands of Orlando keeper Joe Bendick.
What will be taken away is that despite the frustration from the home fans at the efficiency of the offensive efforts three points were earned and of all people it was Jacob Peterson who came off the bench for Brad Davis that was the winning element.
So yes a victory but one which shouldn’t have been as tense and close as it occurred. Vermes will be needing to consider how to handle a Real Salt Lake side that shut down Sporting in a 2-1 loss earlier in the season at Children’s Mercy Park.
Sporting Kansas City
Orlando City
