MLS Sporting Kansas City

Sporting KC Sinks San Jose in 3-2 Win

Published on March 18, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Sensational second-half strikes from Graham Zusi and Felipe Gutierrez propelled Sporting Kansas City to a 3-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night at Children's Mercy Park, lifting Manager Peter Vermes' men into a tie for first place in the Western Conference.

Ilie opened the scoring with his first career MLS goal in the 25th minute, but San Jose (1-1-0, 3 points) pulled level through Vako Qazaishvili nine minutes later. The hosts seized control after halftime as Zusi and Gutierrez ignited wild celebrations at Children's Mercy Park with a pair of long-range efforts, and though the Earthquakes cut into their deficit with a late goal from Chris Wondolowski, Sporting KC (2-1-0, 6 points) held on to secure all three points on St. Patrick's Day and post their second successive victory.

The result extended Sporting KC's unbeaten run against San Jose to six games across all competitions, giving the Earthquakes an 11th regular season defeat in their last 12 trips to Kansas City dating back to 2004. It also marked the first time since August 2015 that Sporting KC has bagged seven goals over a two-game span.

Vermes fielded an unchanged lineup from last weekend's thrilling 4-3 defeat of the Chicago Fire as his side carried its attacking momentum into Saturday, which served as the 700th regular season match in club history and the 350th at home. Sporting KC threatened as early as the seventh minute when a teasing cross from Seth Sinovic swerved just beyond the reach of Johnny Russell on the edge of the six-yard box.

A delicately poised start saw San Jose ask questions of Tim Melia in the 19th minute. A stinging drive from Florian Jungwirth forced the Sporting KC goalkeeper to sprawl right and parry the ball away to keep the game scoreless.

Referee Allen Chapman awarded Sporting KC a penalty kick halfway through the first period when Daniel Salloi slipped a delightful through ball into the path of Russell, who was then chopped down by San Jose goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell. Ilie buried the ensuing spot kick to open his MLS scoring account and give Sporting KC their first goal at home since Sept. 24, 2017, snapping a drought of 349 minutes.

The visitors responded brightly and restored parity in the 34th minute. Vako's header off a cross from Nick Lima was saved by Melia, but the Georgian international hammered the rebound into an open net for his second goal in as many games.

Vako's equalizer allowed San Jose to enter the break on level terms, but not before Zusi and Roger Espinoza created danger on the stroke of halftime. Zusi's bending free kick sailed inches over the crossbar before Espinoza surged into the box and unleashed a left-footed attempt that was blocked amidst traffic.

The Earthquakes nearly took the lead eight minutes after the restart, but Wondolowski fired high from close range following a cutback pass from Magnus Eriksson. Sporting KC made San Jose pay for the miss three minutes later on a breathtaking goal from Zusi.

On the night he became the seventh player in Sporting KC history to reach 20,000 minutes played for the club in all competitions, Zusi cut centrally from the right wing in the 56th minute and sent a left-footed piledriver into the top left corner from 20 yards. The jaw-dropping goal was Zusi's first for Sporting KC since Oct. 23, 2016, in a 2-0 home win over San Jose.

Not to be outdone by Zusi, Gutierrez doubled Sporting KC's advantage in the 68th minute with a left-footed missile that nestled low into the far right corner of the net. Gutierrez now has three goals in his last two appearances, having scored twice against Chicago a week earlier. Russell and Salloi were credited with assists on the play, recording their second and third assists of the season, respectively.

Russell was unlucky not to extend Sporting KC's lead in the 78th minute after skipping along the endline and forcing a one-handed save from Tarbell. Just seconds later, a low cross from Gutierrez deflected off Yefferson Quintana and caromed off the post, requiring San Jose to scramble clear.

Just when Sporting KC appeared to be in cruise control, San Jose grabbed a goal back in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Wondolowski ran onto a lovely ball over the top from Eriksson and sent a shot in off the far left post to tally his 135th career regular season goal, good for second-most all-time. Shortly thereafter, Chapman's full-time whistle drew an end to the contest.

Sporting KC is back on the road next Saturday to face the Colorado Rapids in an 8 p.m. CT kickoff on FOX Sports Kansas City and FOX Sports Midwest Plus. The official watch party for the match will take place at No Other Pub in the Kansas City Power & Light District, featuring $4 Bud Light drafts and an all-inclusive buffet with endless draft beers.

QUOTES

Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes

Thoughts on the performance...

I thought we were good. I'm always a little critical when we get scored on but I think, in the end, we played really well in the game. I thought we managed the ball really well and it's something that we talked about all week. Knowing that we were at home, we felt we were going to have the ball a lot and we did. I thought we were good with it. Other than a couple little mishaps here and there, I thought we were the better team tonight.

On the team's play in the second half...

I thought we showed a real hunger. If we weren't a little unlucky, we probably could have scored a couple more goals. I think we're on the precipice of doing something really good.

On the team finding its chemistry...

It's hard to tell. I would say that right now, from game to game we're getting more familiar with each other but we still have a lot to work on. We're three games in right now. We've got 31 left. There's a long way to go.

Sporting KC midfielder Ilie

On his first goal in a Sporting KC uniform...

I am happy for the three points. It was a penalty kick so I am grateful for my teammates that let me shoot the penalty. I'm happier for the win than for the goal.

On being designated as the team's penalty taker...

I felt confident so I took the responsibility. We will have to wait and see for the next games. We have a lot of good shooters so it's more about how we are feeling in the game. Today, I had a good feeling.

On his injury prior to the team's third goal...

It was a hit. I feel good but we will see tomorrow how I wake up and then over the next few days.

On securing the victory at home...

It's been difficult over these first games for us but we have to be ready here at home in front of our fans. It's a great win. I hope that this will keep us going in a good way.

Sporting KC defender Graham Zusi

On scoring the team's second goal...

I got it out wide and started dribbling in. I think at least three of our guys made great runs in behind them. It made their defense commit a little bit to the ball and it opened up for a shot.

On the three points earned at home...

I thought we played very well throughout. We gave up two goals that I think were probably avoidable but for us to stick three in the back of the net, it put us in a good position.

On the offense starting to click in the last two weeks...

For sure. I think on the offensive side we're creating tons of chances. And it's a good thing we're sticking some of those in the back of the net. I think we need to shore up some things on the defensive end though.

San Jose Earthquakes head coach Mikael Stahre

On the game...

First of all, I think we handled the game well in the first half. It was an equal game for sure, and I think we handled the pressure from Sporting Kansas City in a good way. I think we created some really good chances. Then, of course, I am really disappointed we conceded that second goal at that point in the game. I think we controlled the game really well in that moment, and just a few minutes before they scored we had a great chance. Then we lost the momentum when we conceded the second goal. Then, the score became 3-1 and in that part of the match they controlled the game totally. We made some changes and we also changed the shape, and we scored a goal from Wondo in stoppage time and put some pressure on them. Of course, I am disappointed to be leaving here without points, but especially because in the first half andi then in the first 15 minutes of the second we played really well.

On the late push...

We came here with ambition to win the game, or second best to leave with a point. We fought until the end and it was really important for us to score the second goal, but I felt at halftime that we could have won the game. Then we conceded the second goal and we lost the momentum. They are a good team, but I think we can take some positive things with us.

San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski

On his goal and moving to second place in all-time scoring...

I wish we could have won, but credit to our team and Magnus [Eriksson] for putting that ball in there. To finish it was pretty cool, but hopefully we will get a couple more wins.

On the missed chance at the beginning of the second half...

It is a big shot that is still weighing on my mind and will give me some trouble sleeping tonight. I was a good cross by Magnus [Eriksson], Matt Besler took a little deflection and it put it a little behind me, and it got a little swivel and I missed it. That was a big one.

On the game...

I thought it showed a lot of the character of this team and a lot of the things we have been working on and instilled in our mentality. I thought that when it was 1-1 and we came out in the first 10 minutes it was pretty positive, then I missed that chance to score and it is a pretty fickle game. That is how it goes.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 18, 2018


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