Sporting KC Defeats San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 in 2012 Pre-Season Opener
Published on February 4, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Sporting Kansas City topped the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 on Saturday in the club's first pre-season match of 2012 at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
A wild start saw two goals within the opening five minutes before midfielder Konrad Warzycha curled home a freekick from 25-yards to give Sporting Kansas City the victory.
Both sides fielded first-choice lineups for the opening 45 minutes, with new acquisition Bobby Convey earning the start as a left-sided forward for Sporting Kansas City.
San Jose would open the scoring in just the third minute of play, as U.S. National Team forward Chris Wondolowski took a cross from Honduran winger Marvin Chavez before heading the ball back across goal past Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. Just one minute later, however, Sporting would equalize, Kei Kamara finishing right-footed past San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch after he was released in ongoal by midfielder Roger Espinoza.
The winning strike was provided by Warzycha, who stepped up to take the free kick after C.J. Sapong was brought down after a mazy run towards the San Jose penalty area. Warzycha hit his shot with his right foot, dipping his effortover the four-man wall and out of reach of Jon Busch.
Minutes after Warzycha's goal, Cesar Diaz Pizarro was slipped in behind the Sporting Kansas City defense with only goalkeeper JonKempin to beat. Pizarro rounded Kempin but moments before the forward was able to pass the ball into the net, substitute defender Lawrence Olum came through with a saving tackle to ensure that the scoreline remained at 2-1.
Sporting Kansas City will continue their pre-season preparations at the Kino Sports Complex throughout next week before facing D.C. United in another friendly next Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1:00 p.m. CT in Casa Grande. Check SportingKC.com for more updates throughout preseason.
Please note: When discussing our team, please refer to us as Sporting Kansas City or Sporting KC. Season tickets are currently on sale for the 2012 MLS season at state-of-the-art LIVESTRONG SportingPark. Visit SportingKC.com or call 888-4KC-GOAL to reserve seats.
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- Sporting KC Defeats San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 in 2012 Pre-Season Opener - Sporting Kansas City
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