Sporting KC Advances to Eastern Conference Championship with 2-0 Win
Published on November 2, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Sporting Kansas City will host the Eastern Conference Championship on Sunday at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park after advancing past the Colorado Rapids with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The win elevated Sporting Kansas City to a 4-0 advantage in the two-game, aggregate goal series after topping the Rapids by the same scoreline on the road last weekend.
Sporting Kansas City will continue their 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs run on Sunday at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park against the series winner between the Houston Dynamo and Philadelphia Union. The match time will be either 4:30 p.m. CT or 8:00 p.m. CT, pending the outcome of the tomorrow night's semifinal matches.
Tickets for Sunday's conference championship, the first to be hosted by Sporting Kansas City since 2004, are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling 888-4KC-GOAL, visiting the LIVESTRONG Sporting Park Box Offices or online at Ticketmaster.
Sporting Kansas City received goals from defender Aurelien Collin and rookie forward C.J. Sapong on Wednesday in front of a sold-out crowd at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park despite harsh weather conditions. Midfielder Graham Zusi provided assists on both goals, becoming the first player in club history to record a multi-assist game in the postseason.
Forward Teal Bunbury, the scorer of both goals in the first leg last Sunday, got on the end of the first chance for Sporting Kansas City. Ghosting into the area, Bunbury latched onto a long ball over the top from Collin and barreled towards goal before Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens came out well to block Bunbury's shot away for a corner.
In the game's 28th minute, Collin opened the scoring for Sporting Kansas City. From a free kick near midfield, Zusi served a ball into the area that was contested by both Pickens and Collin. As the two came together, Zusi's pass skipped off the head of the French defender and into the net to give Sporting the lead in the match and extend their lead in the aggregate series to 3-0.
The first attempt on goal for the Rapids came in the 33rd minute, as Sanna Nyassi burst towards goal after taking a quick pass from Omar Cummings. The shot was deflected by Collin, however, and straight into the arms of Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. On the stroke of halftime, Colorado went close again, with Nyassi serving a free kick that skipped behind Matt Besler before Nielsen reacted quickly to save.
Out of the halftime break, Colorado created the first chance of the second half when Nyassi seized a loose ball and poked a sharp shot that Nielsen eventually corralled. Pressure from Jeff Larentowicz on Julio Cesar forced the turnover, but Nielsen was out far enough to cut the angle to deny Nyassi's unexpected effort.
Zusi and Collin nearly hooked up again after halftime on another set piece opportunity. This time from a corner in the 56th minute, Zusi's cross was met at the backpost by a leaping Collin, who put his header back across goal, but wide of the far post.
The Sporting KC playmaker created another chance from a corner in the 57th minute, and again Collin was the recipient. From a quick counterattack, Kei Kamara's far post effort was tipped wide of the post by Pickens. From the ensuing corner kick, Collin got on the end of Zusi's cross, putting his volley off the bar.
Four minutes later, Zusi picked out Sapong making a diagonal run towards goal. Sapong, who went down for several minutes following a collision with Marvel Wynne just after halftime, turned and fired a right-footed shot, but the rookie's effort was blocked away by the Colorado goalkeeper.
In the 73rd minute, Colorado substitute Macoumba Kandji created a chance for himself following some nice individual work down the left. After wriggling away from two markers, Kandji turned and hit a shot with his right foot, but it was straight at Nielsen and saved easily.
Sporting Kansas City then extended their lead in the 76th minute, putting the contest to bed from a Sapong header. After earning a free kick inside the Colorado half, Zusi swung a cross in from the right for Sapong, who rose to power a header past Pickens from 15 yards and seal progression for Sporting Kansas City to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2007.
Manager Peter Vermes' squad will now await the series winner between the Philadelphia Union and Houston Dynamo, who play their decisive second leg at 7:30 p.m. CT tomorrow on ESPN2 with Houston holding a 2-1 advantage on aggregate.
FAST FACTS
- Sporting Kansas City advance to the Eastern Conference Championship to face the winner of the Houston Dynamo versus Philadelphia Union, who play at 7:30 p.m. CT on Thursday night on ESPN2.
- If the LA Galaxy advance in the Western Conference semifinals, Sporting Kansas City will host the Eastern Conference Championship at 4:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, November 6th.
- If the New York Red Bulls advance in the Western Conference semifinals, Sporting Kansas City will host the Eastern Conference Championship at 8:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, November 6th.
- Sporting Kansas City will be making their sixth appearance in a conference championship in the club's 16-year history. Their most recent appearance came in 2007 against the Houston Dynamo.
- Sporting Kansas City will host a conference championship for the fourth time in club history and first time since 2004.
- Sporting Kansas City is now 10-2-6 in MLS matches at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in its inaugural season, with 31 goals for and 16 goals against.
- Wednesday's sell-out crowd of 18,565 was the largest home crowd for a Sporting KC postseason match in club history.
- Sporting Kansas City is 5-2-2 all-time against the Colorado Rapids in the MLS playoffs.
- This marks the fourth all-time postseason series between the two teams, tying the Rapids with the LA Galaxy for the most frequent Sporting Kansas City playoff opponent. Sporting KC previously played Colorado in the 1997, 2000 and 2003 playoffs.
- The Colorado Rapids, 2010 MLS Cup Champions, are eliminated from the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs with the loss.
- Sporting Kansas City has now recorded four consecutive clean sheets in MLS matches for the first time since the 2000 season.
- Sporting Kansas City have scored in 21 of their last 22 MLS matches, with the lone scoreless match coming in a 1-0 defeat at Real Salt Lake on September 17th.
- Sporting Kansas City is now unbeaten in their last seven matches.
- Sporting Kansas City are 14-15-5 all-time in 34 all-time postseason appearances with 48 goals for and 46 goals against.
- Sporting Kansas City is 12-3-2 all-time in 17 all-time postseason matches at home with 31 goals for and 13 goals against.
- Sporting Kansas City has now won back-to-back postseason matches for the third time in club history, matching the longest winning streak for the team in the playoffs.
- Sporting Kansas City is 13-6-2 when scoring the first goal in MLS playoff matches.
- Sporting Kansas City is 11-1-1 when leading at halftime in MLS playoff matches.
- With his second win of the 2011 postseason, Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes becomes only the second manager in club history to win multiple postseason matches.
- Sporting Kansas City Designated Player Omar Bravo was a late scratch from the lineup on Wednesday after experiencing tightness in his groin.
- Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler has started each of the team's last 29 MLS matches.
- Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen made four saves in the match.
- Nielsen posted the 13th shutout by a Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper in postseason history and becomes the fourth Sporting KC goalkeeper all-time with multiple shutouts in the playoffs. The 2010 MLS All-star recorded seven shutouts during the 2011 regular season and was voted the team's Most Valuable Player.
- Aurelien Collin's goal in the 28th minute, assisted on a free kick by Graham Zusi, was the first point of both players' postseason careers.
- Collin now has four goals in MLS play this season, and became the 22nd different Sporting Kansas City player to score in the postseason all-time.
- Zusi recorded his eighth assist during the 2011 MLS season and becomes the 26th different Sporting Kansas City player to record an assist in the postseason all-time.
- Zusi recorded his second assist of the night, again on a free kick, in the 76th minute on C.J. Sapong's goal. He becomes the first player in Sporting KC history with multiple assists in a postseason match.
- Wednesday marked Zusi's second two-assist performance of the season, after providing two crucial passes in the team's match against the Portland Timbers on September 10th.
- Sapong, a leading candidate for 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year, scored his first career postseason goal and sixth in MLS competition this season, most among all MLS rookies.
- Sapong was the only Sporting KC player to appear in all 34 regular season matches and started both legs of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
- In 34 MLS regular season matches, the Colorado Rapids had only allowed one goal indirectly from a free kick in 2011.
- Sporting Kansas City midfielder Birahim Diop made his Sporting KC and MLS postseason debut, entering for Teal Bunbury in the 79th minute on Wednesday. Diop had not appeared in an MLS match for Sporting Kansas City since August 21st.
- Sporting Kansas City and the Colorado Rapids combined for seven cautions and 38 fouls on Wednesday, the most of any 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs match to date.
- Sporting Kansas City's 21 fouls committed were the most of any MLS match this season.
- Sporting Kansas City Home Grown goalkeeper Jon Kempin was named to the United States Under-23 Men's National Team
- Wednesday's match was nationally broadcast on FOX Soccer and FOX Deportes. It also aired on the radio in Kansas City on Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Gran D 1340AM.
- Volunteers distributed 3,000 Child ID kits courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Citizens' Academy Alumni Association (FBINCAAA) at Wednesday's match. The FBINCAAA is an organization dedicated to supporting the mission of the FBI in its role as the official liaison between the FBI Citizens' Academy alumni Association (FBICAAA) Chapters and the FBI.
QUOTES
Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
General comments on the match...
I believe this is a huge step for our team. I say that is because it's one thing to go on the road and win 2-0, but a lot of times you can get a little self-assured about coming into the second leg. I've seen it happen with teams, it has happened when I played in the playoffs here, myself as a player. I think the maturity of the group to have the discipline in the two game series was huge. There is no doubt that we've grown up as a team. The players performed above and beyond expectations to really not give anything away. Two goals on two set pieces was big time for us. I'm extremely proud of the group.
We know that we still have some work to do here. But for sure we know that we've made a big step. I know that I've been playing down a lot of the games as we come into the stretch here because I really didn't think we achieved something but I think now you can say that we've achieved something. The thing that we've achieved is having come in first place, we have really set ourselves up for the Eastern Conference championship to be here in our park and I think that was a big goal as an organization. We want to bring big events to this new unbelievable venue and here we are able to play that game on Sunday. I am excited for the organization and I'm very excited for the players because they have put the work ethic in all season long and they believed so it's exciting.
On the team's performance...
I told the guys before the game started that we haven't achieved anything yet. You think that it's going to be easy but the other team brings everything they've got. I thought the guys were extremely focused. Tactically it's amazing as games go on we get better and better. I think it's because they are playing with a level of confidence. They believe that when one guy steps here the other guys going to be there. We didn't sit back in the game today and I thought that was very evident. I know people thought that we were going to bunker in and keep the two-goal lead. We talked about being smart and not exposing ourselves, but when the moments were there we were going to go and the guys went.
They had good balance and shape in the team so they definitely achieved something and I'm proud of them I really am.We have talked about other games before, certain things that we do well. I think the difference here is that this is a two game series and we still hadn't gotten to the Eastern Conference final, but we are here now based on having done it at the end of the season, winning in D.C. on the road, winning at Colorado, and now coming home and winning again. That is big time. I believe that the guys have really stepped it up, they should be proud of themselves.
On resting Omar Bravo...
Omar has a tweak. Even though he can run, the problem is when he strikes the ball he can feel it a little bit. Between the medical staff and the coaches we just decided that it does not make sense, especially when today was as rainy and wet. It would be easy for him to slip and extend it a little bit more. Whenever there is a muscle situation, I like to be conservative. Take a few days here instead of the four or six weeks later.. I think he'll be ready for Sunday. I can't guarantee it, but he has a couple more days now to keep getting treatment and get back.
On midfielder Graham Zusi's set pieces...
To be good on set pieces, you have to have someone that can deliver a ball consistently well. He has been doing that for probably the last two thirds of the season here. He has really stepped it up. Also consider our throw-ins with Besler. We are getting much better at set pieces. I also think our runs are now being finished off. With Collin's goal, he had the same opportunity or very close to it in our last game in Colorado but he just misjudged it a little bit there. Tonight he found the timing perfect and it was a great goal.
On the physicality of the game...
We talked about how they felt that we played to hard in the last game. I am not sure what the thought process was there, but I am not going to apologize for us having a big, strong, fast, athletic team. That is who we are and if teams can't handle it, they can't handle it. In regards to tonight, the only thing I was concerned about was maybe someone getting a little frustrated and taking a cheap shot on one of our guys. I thought the referee Kevin Stout did a very good job of keeping the game under control and he didn't lose himself. With the moment and the crowd and everything else he could have.
On the fans...
Somebody pointed out to me the other day when we won the Western Conference championship that there were 4,500 people in the stands back in 2000. But tonight to see a crowd come out here like that is amazing. It's been like that all season at home. The ownership group has presented to the fans that this is their home and they can come view a game here in this environment. They have been the 12th man of this team all season long and that is one of the reasons we are sitting here today and we have a chance at the Eastern Conference championship. I am just glad that we have been able to reciprocate by making sure the championship is here.
On tonight's performance compared to Sundays...
When you go away from home it is always difficult to play. It is just harder when you play away from home because the other team drives the game. You have to be really disciplined on every single roll of the ball. I think when we were at home, the difference was we knew we had to play and that we couldn't sit back because we had to go and just play the game. I thought here the game was a lot more exciting because we took advantage of some really good counter-attacks. We didn't finish them off but it was really exciting from that point of view.
Sporting Kansas City Defender Aurelien Collin
General comments on the match...
It was very hard work to come here and do exactly the same job we did in Denver. We didn't take the game like it was going to be easy, we stayed focused and did everything that we had to do on defense and on offense. We had a lot of opportunities too. I am very proud to be a part of the team and am very happy today.
On his goal...
Every game, Zusi is very good on set pieces. I have to work harder because every game I have two or three opportunities to score and I miss often. Today, I had a lot of chances and thank god. I am going to work to try and score the most goals possible in the upcoming games.
On the defense of Sporting Kansas City...
We got to know each other more so we are more confident and trusting of one another. We play as a unit in the defense. We go up together and we go back together, we go to the right, and to the left. We are a unit, before somebody was doing this, the other was doing that, but right now we are a unit, we feel it on the field. I know that if I go somewhere, Besler will have my back anywhere on the field. That is why I think we defend really well. Not only the defenders but the whole team, the offense too. We attack together and we defend together and that is why we are successful.
Seth Sinovic, Sporting Kansas City defender
Thoughts on the team's performance...
We came into the game and we knew we still had a lot of work to do. It was tough conditions but the guys came out so well. I thought we controlled the game. It wasn't where possession was a big part of it for us, but we picked our spots really well. It's an unbelievable feeling to move on and now we have a big game on Sunday.
On their approach to the second leg of the series...
I think we did well. We always want to be the attacking team. It's one of those things where if they get the first goal and get a lot of confidence, we didn't want that to be the case.
On the weather conditions...
It made the game a little bit different. It was a little bit tougher to keep the ball. Despite some difficult conditions, I thought we did well with it.
On the game's physicality...
It's the playoffs, it's going to be physical. It's a physical game. We expected a tough game and it was physical.
Roger Espinoza, Sporting Kansas City midfielder
On the team's attitude entering the match...
We had it clear in our minds that this game wasn't over. We came out very strong. We knew the goals were going to come. We have guys up there that do really well. We got the goals and we kept a shutout.
On the home field advantage...
I was very happy to see the sellout. It shows that this is what it's all about. Kansas City is all about soccer. It was packed, I was very happy. I think the supporters are the main reason of why we did so well tonight.
On capitalizing on set pieces...
Graham Zusi always delivers a good service, it's always something you can get on the end of. And now we are making the most of Zusi hitting some good balls.
Jimmy Nielsen, Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper
On the overall outcome...
We were very solid in tough conditions with the weather so awful. The field was in pretty good shape. We should be proud of our groundskeeper, they did an incredible job; a huge credit to whoever is keeping the field. We were very good to pick our moments when we want to go and when we need to stay back, and to keep possession. I think it was a professional performance.
On the team's ability to score on free kicks...
Every team dreams of having a player who can serve set pieces like Zusi can. He's in the same class as David Beckham and Brad Davis. Those type of players can serve the ball however you want it and that's good to have on your team. That's huge.
On the defense keeping a shutout...
When our first defenders are doing a great job on the forward line, it makes it a lot easier for the guys behind him to cut down the lanes. That starts with Teal Bunbury making it a lot easier for the rest of the team.
On Sapong's strong rookie season...
That's just C.J. He can handle anything. He is a tough guy, he is physical and ver, very athletic. He can move his body like no one else could. If I had tried the bicycle kick, I would be down for weeks.
On the weather...
First half, I was freezing. So it was important for my game development to stay focused. It's vey important you try to run around and get yourself warm.
On the Eastern Conference Championship...
We can enjoy the win tonight but tomorrow we have to prepare for another game. We will find out tomorrow who we will be playing. That's a good feeling to just sit back and watch tomorrow.
Gary Smith, Colorado Rapids Manager
Thoughts on the match...
I think you saw in the way the guys attacked that they believed they could get something. It's the first time in a long time that we've conceded dead ball goals. I think the changes do affect that, but we lost on two dead ball goals tonight. Two free kicks, the second one was a terrific header. But the other bodies that we had available certainly affect those situations. I thought they were actually spot-on. It was always going to be a fiery and competitive game. Kansas City has shown that throughout these two games that they have a lot of spirit and they are very capable. And of course I wish them all the best in the next round.
We came here thinking the game would be tight, getting a dead ball goal for ourselves. But it wasn't to be. The third goal (on aggregate) was a real body blow. I'm proud of the way the guys played in the second period. We weren't a threat enough all night. Of course the addition of bodies to try and add some increment and sharpness wasn't good enough, but we have to give Kansas City credit for that. They looked very assured in the back. They limited us to few opportunities, if any on goal. When the moments did come along, the choices were certainly awry.
We've taken a big body blow with injuries and suspensions. It certainly felt like we could get something out of this game, everybody believed it. And that leg up was always going to be the first goal.
On Sporting Kansas City...
I honestly thought the back four did a wonderful job tonight. This front trio, when you bring Omar Bravo into that as well. Look at it, when you bring in Kei (Kamara), Teal (Bunbury), and C.J. (Sapong) is a wonderful pickup. These guys have done great this year and they deserve to be where they are. I tip my hat to them, I hope they do well.
Their back line looked solid, they looked aggressive, they limited our guys to few opportunities. I thought the game across the two legs has been played in a really competitive fashion and while some of my comments may have suggested the Kansas City guys were a little over zealous in the first leg. But listen, I looked at the challenges again, I have no issues whatsoever. I thought the game was played in a very decent fashion, a competitive fashion, the sort of passion you might expect in a playoff game.
Unfortunately for us, the bodies that we're missing in the end we're probably the difference for us in making it a tighter affair.
Wells Thompson, Colorado Rapids Defender
On losing players in the previous game...
Yeah, it's tough. We have guys capable enough to step in and play, but it's hard, especially when you haven't played that much. But we missed a lot of the leaders on our team, our captain, Kosuke (Kimura) who's played every minute. You know, Drew Moor is a part of our back. We gave up two dead balls tonight and he's key on those for us, so we definitely missed all those guys.
I think everyone in the room believed we could win. The first goal definitely took a little bit of the wind out of our sails. You hope to get on top and if you get a goal, they're kind of thinking, "Oh crap, anything can happen from there", and put them on their heels. It was tough to play good, pretty, soccer out there. I think we did some good things, we played well, we just didn't create many offensive opportunities or scoring chances.
On the first goal scored...
I'm not sure, it was a dangerous ball just put in the mixture. When you put dangerous balls in the box like that, that's why they're dangerous because there's no telling what's going to happen: confusion, nicks, own goals, that type of thing. It was just a good goal in the box.
Matt Pickens, Colorado Rapids Goalkeeper
Thoughts on the game...
It was tough, because we didn't want them scoring in the run of play. I commend everybody, trying to fight it out. We were trying to get some momentum, trying to get that first goal, and they scored on us on two set pieces.
The first one was a little strange. The ball almost looked like it lost a little air, and it just dropped, and (Aurelien) Colin was the only one following up on the ball and he kind of just bodied me off the ball and nicked it and scored, so hats off to him.
On missing key players...
It's tough, we missed some guys tonight, that's what it boils down to. Guys that have experience, guys that can grind out these wins on the road, and even at home. We definitely missed Pablo (Mastroeni), Drew (Moor), and Conor (Casey) especially because we haven't been scoring many goals lately. We just miss all those guys and hopefully next year we'll get them all back and this group will be refreshed.
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 Sporting Park. Visit www.SportingKC.com or call 888-4KC-GOAL to reserve seats.
Major League Soccer Stories from November 2, 2011
- Sporting KC Advances to Eastern Conference Championship with 2-0 Win - Sporting Kansas City
- D.C. United's Perry Kitchen and Ethan White Called Up to U.S. U-23 Men's National Team - D.C. United
- Earthquakes Goalkeeper David Bingham Named to United States U-23 National Team Roster - San Jose Earthquakes
- Khalfan, Mitchell, and Salgado Receive International Call-Ups - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Sporting KC Home Grown Goalkeeper Jon Kempin Invited to US Under-23 Training Camp - Sporting Kansas City
- D.C. United Announces Make-Up Dates for Reserve Matches - D.C. United
- Crew News & Notes: Crew's Final Reserve League Match Vs. D.C. United Set for Tuesday, November 15 - Columbus Crew SC
- Marc Burch Undergoes Foot Surgery - D.C. United
- Houston Dynamo Game Notes - Houston Dynamo FC
- Philadelphia Union and Harrisburg City Islanders to Host Joint Tryout - Philadelphia Union
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
