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MLS Sporting Kansas City

Sporting KC Holds D.C. United to Scoreless Draw

October 3, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Sporting Kansas City snapped D.C. United's five-game home winning streak at RFK Stadium on Friday with a 0-0 draw against the Eastern Conference leaders. Goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum matched his career-high with seven saves in the shutout as Sporting KC earned their first road draw of the season and moved into second place in the East with three games remaining.

In a nationally televised match-up on NBCSN, Sporting Kansas City provided the game's first scoring opportunity in the fourth minute. Graham Zusi's free kick from the right flank found Kevin Ellis unmarked six yards out at the backpost, however the homegrown defender elected to direct his header across the goalmouth rather than on target.

Less than five minutes later, fellow homegrown player Bill Hamid was called into action as the D.C. United goalkeeper rushed to the edge of the penalty area to intercept a well-weighted pass from Lawrence Olum out of the midfield and intended for Dom Dwyer. Hamid would go on to make three saves in the match to for his League-leading 10th shutout of the season.

His first two saves came on shots from Antonio Dovale, who set a personal season-high with four shots on Friday. The Spaniard let loose an attempt from 30 yards out in the 38th minute that was held by Hamid and tried again from a similar distance in the 47th minute. The shot was deflected by D.C. United defender Steve Birnbaum and forced Hamid to reach high to corral the effort.

D.C. United weren't without chances of their own, beginning in the 10th minute on a shot from Chris Pontius in his first start since October 2013. Matt Besler -- whose nine interceptions on Friday were the most by a Sporting KC player in an MLS match this season -- got a foot to the shot and Gruenebaum adjusted to make the stop.

Fabian Espindola was the persistent scoring threat for the home side with six shots in the draw. The Argentine broke free on the left wing in the 13th minute but pushed his shot well wide with Ellis chasing to recover. He did better in the 28th minute with a first-time, left-footed shot from the top of the 18-yard box that was expertly blocked by Gruenebaum.

The Overland Park, Kansas native would go on to become the first Sporting KC player to record seven saves in an MLS match since Jimmy Nielsen in 2011. As part of the club's Shutout for Slices promotion with Papa John's, all Sporting KC fans can receive 50% off any regular price online order at local participating Papa John's retailers over the next two days by entering the code 'SPORTINGKC' online at PapaJohns.com.

Espindola came close once more in the 58th minute only to see the ensuing shot roll narrowly wide of the far post. Determined to do damage, the eight-year MLS veteran tried again to beat Gruenebaum two minutes later but the long-distance look bounced wide of frame. The errant aim would affect Silva, too, as his free kick in the 71st minute was inches away from curling inside the post on what would be D.C. United's last shot of the match.

Of the two sides, Sporting Kansas City looked the more likely to score in the game's late stages. Outside back Seth Sinovic sent a shot through traffic in the 74th minute in search of his first career regular season goal. Sinovic then played a pivotal part moments later in his side's best opportunity to claim the go-ahead goal on the night.

The Leawood, Kansas native lofted a left-footed cross to Dwyer beyond the back post and the Englishman placed his header into the path of C.J. Sapong just eight yards out from goal. Sapong snapped his header low and on target, however Hamid reacted well to drop down in time to make the save.

With the draw, D.C. United are the first team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a berth in the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs. Ben Olsen's club remains six points ahead of Sporting Kansas City after finishing in last place in 2013.

Sporting Kansas City will now return home to host rivals Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 10 at Sporting Park. A limited number of tickets are available for the match via Ticketmaster.com and the first 5,000 fans inside the stadium will receive Sporting KC ear buds courtesy of Pepsi.

FAST FACTS

Sporting KC and D.C. United tied 0-0 on Friday night at RFK Stadium. D.C. United remains in first place of the Eastern Conference (15-9-7) with 52 points and became the first team in the East to clinch a spot in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. Sporting KC moves into sole possession of second place in the East (13-11-7) with 46 points, breaking a tie with the New England Revolution (45 points). The Revolution host Columbus Crew on Saturday at Gillette Stadium. Sporting KC is 20-20-11 against D.C. United all-time. D.C. United was without Perry Kitchen, who was serving his mandatory one-game suspension on Friday for yellow card accumulation. With the start, Matt Besler moved into sole possession of 7th place on Sporting KC's all-time chart with 143 regular season starts. With the start, Andy Gruenebaum became the ninth goalkeeper in club history to start 10 regular season matches. Eight of his 10 starts this season have come on the road.

Friday's draw marks Sporting KC's second straight road clean sheet. Andy Gruenebaum's seven saves were the most by a Sporting KC goalkeeper this season and the most in a match since Jimmy Nielsen saved seven on June 22, 2011. He tied his career-high with seven saves on Friday. Lawrence Olum led all players with 44 successful passes and nine duels won on Friday. Matt Besler led all players with six aerial duels and nine interceptions on Friday. Besler's nine interceptions were most in a single game by a Sporting KC player this season. Sporting KC made four changes to Friday's starting lineup. Eric Kronberg was replaced in goal by Andy Gruenebaum, who is 5-3-2 as a starter in 2014. Holding midfielder Lawrence Olum returned to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension for caution accumulation. D.C. United earned victories in the first two matches against Sporting KC this year, a 1-0 win on May 31 at RFK Stadium and a 3-0 result on August 23 at Sporting Park. D.C. United has an MLS-best nine shutouts at home and is 10-2-4 at RFK in 2014. D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid leads MLS with 10 shutouts. Friday snapped Dom Dwyer's goal scoring streak. The Englishman had scored in five straight appearances in all competition, tying the club record set by Preki in 1996. Friday marked Sporting KC's first draw on the road in 2014. D.C. United hasn't lost at home since June 28, a 1-0 defeat against Seattle. D.C. United is unbeaten in eight games at RFK in all competitions. D.C. United's turnaround season in 2014 comes after finishing last year with just three wins and 16 points. D.C. United has allowed only 11 goals at home this season, fewest in MLS. Seth Sinovic was shown a yellow card in the 30th minute of Friday's match and will miss Sporting KC's next match as he serves his mandatory one-game suspension. The match was nationally televised on the NBCSN. Sporting KC is 1-4-2 when televised on NBCSN in 2014. Sporting KC returns to Sporting Park to host the Chicago Fire on October 10.

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