Sporting Kansas City's Unbeaten Run Snapped in Late 2-1 Loss
August 6, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Sporting Kansas City's record unbeaten run was stopped at 14 matches on Saturday night, as Seattle Sounders FC stole a 2-1 victory at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Sporting Kansas City's unbeaten run ends tied for third longest all-time in MLS history.
Forward Kei Kamara opened the scoring in the first half, but a red card to Designated Player Omar Bravo in the 59th minute left Sporting Kansas City short a man for the final half hour, as Seattle were able to equalize through Mauro Rosales in the 90th minute before substitute forward Lamar Neagle got the winner in the 92nd minute.
Sporting Kansas City earned the first true chance of the game in the seventh minute of play. Following a cross from midfielder Graham Zusi that Seattle goalkeeperKasey Keller parried away from goal, defender Seth Sinovic collected the loose ball and whipped a left-footed cross back into the box. Sinovic's ball into the area found the head of a leaping Kei Kamara at the back post, but Kamara's header was saved well by Keller, who pushed over the bar for a corner.
In the 20th minute, Sporting Kansas City edged in front with the first goal of the match. Defender Matt Besler sent a long throw-in from the right touchline to the near post that was met in the air by Kamara, who beat Keller to the ball and powered his header into the net for his sixth goal on the year.
Eight minutes later, Seattle created their first opportunity of the match. Finding space on the right, defender James Riley drove a cross to the backpost intended for an unmarked Alvaro Fernandez, but the Uruguayan international couldn't direct his header on target.
Sporting Kansas City forward C.J. Sapong nearly scored an impressive individual goal in the 32nd minute. Sapong made a run into the left channel and, receiving a pass in space from Zusi, went past Sounders FC defender Jeff Parke before having his shot attempt blocked away at the last moment by a recovering Zach Scott.
Seattle generated the first chance of the second half, when a foul gave Seattle forward Fredy Montero a free kick opportunity just outside the area. Montero curled a right-footed shot over the wall, but Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen got down to hold the effort from the Colombian.
Four minutes later, Kei Kamara flicked a long pass from Julio Cesar into the path of Sapong, streaking to goal. Sapong took one touch and hammered a low drive towards goal, but the shot was beaten away well by Keller.
Sporting Kansas City went down to ten men in the 59th minute, when Omar Bravo was shown a red card by referee Jair Maruffo for a tackle on Sounders FC forward Pat Noonan just outside of Sporting Kansas City's penalty area.
In the 70th minute, Seattle had two chances to equalize. The first, a shot from the top of the box from substitute Mike Fucito was parried away by Nielsen. The rebound attempt fell to Seattle forward Lamar Neagle, who had come on just two minutes earlier. Neagle hit a first time shot to the near post, but Nielsen reactedquickly to get in front of Neagle's shot, and keep the lead for Sporting Kansas City.
Sporting Kansas City forward Teal Bunbury, who had come into the match for Sapong, nearly put the game out of reach as his dipping effort in the 90th minute was hit just wide of Keller's far post.
Seattle would equalize on their next trip down the pitch. Receiving a pass from midfielder Servando Carrasco, Rosales evaded challenges from Graham Zusi and Birahim Diop before hitting a low shot to the far post that deflected off Julio Cesar and past Nielsen.
The 92nd minute saw the winner for Seattle. Fucito drove to the edge of the area where his progress was stopped by Sporting Kansas City defenderMichael Harrington. Fucito was able to get a final touch into the path of Neagle, who hit a low right-footed drive in off the far post to seal the win for Seattle.
Sporting Kansas City will continue their homestand on Wednesday, August 17th when they host the Portland Timbers at 7:30 p.m. CT at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Tickets are available at TicketMaster.com or at the LIVESTRONG Sporting Park box office.
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