Sporting entered their third home match of the season with an unblemished record. Real Salt Lake made sure that was not so as the visitors left Children’s Mercy Park with a 2-1 win.
Due to missing players via injury and international duty many walking through the gates at Children’s Mercy Park thoughts of the home fans, of whom increased the current league sellout streak to 77 matches, was that a depleted Real Salt Lake would be easier for a mostly full strength Sporting Kansas City.
From the first kick it was anything but.
RSL manager Jeff Cassar set up his ‘patchwork’ side to be in the face of Sporting and not relent.
With so many players out the depth for the visitors was tested. Justen Glad, a home grown player, made his first start and made the most of it. With a free kick outside the box from Joel Plata found the head of the young youth product and despite keeper Tim Melia’s best efforts the goal was scored and RSL has a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Benny Feilhaber was introduced into the starting 11 for Sporting but the spark that would found during the 2015 season was missing Roger Espinoza, sitting out a one match suspension. But it wasn’t his lack of effort.
SKC just was anything but on their game.
Graham Zusi was particularly poor. Despite his performance he was never substituted. His tenancy to give up the ball being dispossessed and making a poor pass both didn’t earn himself any positives from this match.
Real Salt Lake assured themselves of the result as Luke Mulhalland was able to capitalize on the failure of the Sporting defense to clear the ball to score from his long range effort.
Late in the match, with some Sporting fans having headed towards the exits, substitute Diego Rubio was fouled in the box for a penalty. Feilhaber converted the spot kick with just moments before the center referee blew his whistle for full time.
Sporting Kansas City will be coming away from this with a bitter taste in their mouths that will be a lasting reminder going forward.
