Sporting KC Tops FC Tucson 5-1 in Arizona Finale
Published on February 14, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Sporting Kansas City concluded their pre-season stay in Arizona with a 5-1 victory over FC Tucson on Tuesday in rainy, cold conditions at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
Second-half substitute Dom Dwyer led the way for Sporting Kansas City with three goals in a 20-minute span, following first half tallies from Kei Kamara and Roger Espinoza.
It was FC Tucson, who will compete in the USL PDL in 2012, that were poised totake an early 1-0 advantage after earning a penalty kick when Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jon Kempin was called for bringing down Kevin King inside the area. But the home grown player redeemed himself moments later with a stop on Reid Schmitt's attempt.
The swing in momentum culminated with Sporting Kansas City opening the scoring in the 18th minute on a play that started with a long service from midfielder Luke Sassano over the FC Tucson backline. Striker Soony Saad and goalkeeper MikeSelmo arrived at the same time, sending the ball to Kamara with an open net in front of him to give Sporting a lead it would never relinquish.
Minutes before halftime, Honduran international Roger Espinoza scored the game's best goal on a dipping shot from 30 yards out that beat Selmo to the top corner.Espinoza, a former member of the Arizona Sahuaros, had collected the ball from his midfield position and fired the surprise shot after moving past two players in the center of the pitch.
With the rain pouring down to start the second half, Sporting Kansas City replaced it's starting eleven at the 60-minute mark to introduce a new squad into the match. FC Tucson seized the opportunity and Schmitt made amends for his missed penalty earlier with a well-taken shot in the 65th minute that struck off the inside of the far post and carried across the goalline.
The match's final 20 minutes belonged to Dwyer, a first round pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. He scored his first of the pre-season in the 70th minute, connecting on the end of a cross from UCLA product Shawn Singh to hammer home his volley clinically from close range.
Less than 10 minutes later, Dwyer dribbled through the left side of the penalty area, maneuvering past FC Tucson goalkeeper Ramon Acosta and forcing the ball through a crowd of collapsing defenders into the back of the net.
Then on the final play of the match, shortened from 120 minutes due to the weather Michigan State alum Cyrus Saydee delivered a driven cross from the left side that Dwyer re-directed at the penalty spot with a header inside the far post.
Sporting KC returns to Kansas City on Tuesday for a four-day stay before departing for Orlando to compete in the 2012 Disney Pro Soccer Classic. Travel packages are available for the tournament through Anthony Travel.
Fans can follow the team at the tournament as every group stage match will be streamed live on MLSSoccer.com and ESPN3.com broadcasting the consolation and championship matches.
Major League Soccer Stories from February 14, 2012
- Real Salt Lake Duels to 1-1 Draw with D.C. - Real Salt Lake
- Impact Beats LA Galaxy 3-0 in Preseason Action - Club de Foot Montreal
- Kandji Opens Scoring Account as Dynamo Draw San Jose in Preseason Friendly - Houston Dynamo FC
- Tottenham Hotspur Product Simon Dawkins Returns to San Jose - San Jose Earthquakes
- Sporting KC Tops FC Tucson 5-1 in Arizona Finale - Sporting Kansas City
- Defender Matteo Ferrari Joins Impact in California - Club de Foot Montreal
- Richard Sanchez Called into Mexican U-20 National Team Camp - FC Dallas
- Chicago Fire Original C.J. Brown to be Inducted into the 'Ring of Fire' - Chicago Fire FC
- Sporting Kansas City to Host 5th Annual Open Tryouts - Sporting Kansas City
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