SB Nation Kansas City: All Posts by Joseph Landishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-08-09T14:04:36-05:00https://kansascity.sbnation.com/authors/joseph-landis/rss2012-08-09T14:04:36-05:002012-08-09T14:04:36-05:00Sporting Kansas City Wins Dramatic US Open Cup Final
<figure>
<img alt="Aug 8, 2012; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC celebrates after winning the U.S. Open Cup Final against Seattle Sounders at Livestrong Sporting Park. Kansas City won 3-2 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fXNYr5gCDM-_okBOFfalUbFnqRs=/3x0:3996x2662/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/8363425/20120808_kdl_sr9_279.jpg" />
<figcaption>Aug 8, 2012; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC celebrates after winning the U.S. Open Cup Final against Seattle Sounders at Livestrong Sporting Park. Kansas City won 3-2 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn't a masterpiece of soccer, but I don't think anyone in Kansas City will worry about that. Sporting KC wins their second US Open Cup trophy in a game they controlled for the most part, but only after the nerve-wracking penalty kicks.</p> <p>Life is not defined by coincidence and happenstance. Sure, there are times in life where signs may point to the impending doom or blissful exuberance of last night. As I pulled into Livestrong Sporting Park, the clouds opened as if en queue and rain (a phenomenon unheard of this summer) poured down onto the delirious spectators in the stadium. Even hail could not drive the fans from the seats, but it was a omen for me as my previous encounter with cold heavy rain led to a bleak night for Sporting in Chicago just three months before.</p>
<p>As the clouds pushed away, rainbows formed over the stadium. In any other stadium, this would not seem like a movie, but we are in Kansas so the imagery seems cheesier than most. Still, the signs again changed this time towards something more positive. The games delay only heightened the childlike excitement building within us, and further increase the "terror" many of us had been storing up for days like this.</p>
<p>As the game began this was a typical <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> performance, they controlled possession and had the majority of chances. Most of those chances were of the half-chance and a prayer variety, but it was obvious that Sporting KC had control of the match. The worries began to spring up spontaneously: Are we pressing too hard and going to lose our stamina as the game goes on? Who is going to get a goal as we attempt shot after shot from distance? Is this bound to be another heart-breaker where we get beat on a goal against the run of play?</p>
<p>Those questions all went against Sporting KC, but still they maintained control of the match. No one scored in the run of play, and the legs did seem to abandon us, though not for running. It was the crossing that lacked power, and after a while drew sounds of exasperation from the crowd as another cross failed to get past the first Sounders defender. As for the goal against the run of play, Seattle didn't exactly get that but all night succeeded on set pieces, yet their best chance was saved brilliantly by <span>Jimmy Nielsen</span>.</p>
<p>The game finally got interesting in a non-soccer fan way in the 84th minute. Teal Bunbury attempted a cross that redirected in the box off of <span>Zach Scott</span>. From my angle (standing on the 18) it was a handball, but due to US Soccer flubbing the highlights, I haven't seen any replays. Scott as any good soldier claims that it hit his side, and that he would raise his hand after a hand ball in the 18. Neither is particularly true, but it was a tough call to make from Ricardo Salazar's position. The resulting <span>Kei Kamara</span> goal seemed to be the stuff of destiny, and the stadium erupted like never before, sending the sizable and admirably far-from-home Sounders faithful in into silence.</p>
<p>The lead and euphoria was short lived and a silence in perfect contrast would blanket the stadium in just a few short minutes. Zach Scott found his redemption on the end of a <span>Mauro Rosales</span> set-piece. Scott perfectly headed in the equalizer unmarked and the game returned to the 0-0 doldrums that consumed the first 85 minutes. As Sporting seemed to push for goals, Seattle constantly was <span>Eddie Johnson</span> taking on <span>Matt Besler</span> and <span>Lawrence Olum</span>, occasionally beating one but never both. Every time acres of space opened Seattle failed to move the ball past the last defenders who had a superb night.</p>
<p>Extra time was much of the same, a exercise in inevitability, Sporting KC demonstrably trying to get a winner, Seattle hoping that at some point the team begins to counter with better passing and can beat the obviously spread out Sporting defense. <span>CJ Sapong</span> continued <span>Teal Bunbury's</span> fine effort of holding up play and getting key set pieces, but Zusi's deliveries seemed off all night. The team never threatened truly on headers instead relying on long shots to trouble Seattle keeper <span>Michael Gspurning</span>. </p>
<p>My brother not being into soccer, but far more omnipotent called the game going to penalties after regulation. I hoped against hope that it did not, because penalties are an inexact science and essentially a crapshoot way of determining a victor (See Chelsea, 2012 Champions League Winners). However, they are great drama and led to the following thoughts.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">KC Pen #1: Kei being Kei. Easy finish despite Gspurning's great reaction the right way.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Sea Pen #1: Yeah, penalties are too easy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">KC Pen #2: Why, Roger, why? Are we to be cursed for eternity by some cruel sports God. Who kicks the ball that slowly in a penalty.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Sea Pen #2: Sometimes, I wonder how many goalies would win PK shootouts by not diving either way and just standing in the middle.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">KC Pen #3: Look at how he's standing over the ball, ten bucks says he kicks it over the bar. (Ball goes just under the bar.) Perfect kick, simply perfect.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Sea Pen #3: Honey Badger just don't care about shooting on target.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">KC Pen #4: Sorry Zeus, I watched you play all day and you weren't Pirloesque, please never again chip a penalty kick.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Sea Pen #4: God, we are so doomed.JIMMY!!!!!!!! Where's a stranger to hug/kiss? <finds self with brother in family section></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">KC Pen #5: We got this, look Paulo's face in bandaged, it's movie script hokie that he's the hero. Perfect finish to an imperfect 120.</span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>At this point, it came down to one man for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a>. Of course, that man was Eddie Johnson. Why wouldn't it be? He unfairly was the recipient of "KC reject" chants from the Cauldron, an understandable but false rewriting of history. Here he had the chance to shove that in their faces, and hold up his team as he had much of the match. The cards seemed to be in his favor, but in front of him, the Cauldron ever at their best roared, and the stadium came into the cacophony in unison. You could say it was pressure or it was just the way it goes some time, but Eddie took his kick confidently. My first thought was it was the same take we saw from Carli Lloyd at last year's Women's World Cup Final. If you hit it hard, no one can stop it, except sometimes the crowd as it veers off into the summer night. There was nothing embarrassing about his miss, but Johnson and the Sounders all felt the wave of emotion come across the field.</p>
<p>There it was, we were champions. Sure, being the US Open Cup, (my brother hilariously asked "what did they win?"), there was a slight asterisk, as we are not yet done with 2012's mission. Yet the overwhelming pride as a fan made every second worth it, including the seven hours on trains and four in cars. The rest of the trophy presentations and laps thanking the fans were just cherries on our victory sundae. The whole team got medals, leading to the hilarious image of Oriol Rosell, just signed last week on the victory podium. <span>Seth Sinovic</span> hopped around the field on one leg, hopefully not injuring himself further. CJ danced as hopelessly <span>Cyprian Hedrick</span> stood there with his leg in a brace. <span>Aurelien Collin</span> looked better than the rest of us, as he always did.</p>
<p>The wall has been painted, just as Robb Heineman promised, but the dreamer in me looks to the lonely figures on the wall next to it. There are still two trophies on the board for 2012 and after the celebration ends and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> comes to town on Saturday the work begins again in earnest. Seattle has paid the price over the years winning the US Open Cup, and has floundered in the season's second half and postseason. It's up to Sporting Kansas City to not repeat that history. In a town of pragmatic cynics, Sporting Kansas City has finally shown us victory, and now who knows we may get used to this winning.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/8/9/3230732/sporting-kansas-city-us-open-cup-finalJoseph Landis2012-08-08T08:13:49-05:002012-08-08T08:13:49-05:00Sporting Kansas City: It's Time To 'Paint The Wall' In Livestrong Park
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aqBGGey1kV42qg9aRdY4e8W0rYc=/0x6:1000x673/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3596393/120524220.jpg" />
<figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Tomorrow is a chance for Sporting KC to change the script once more. It is the first time to paint the wall in the present instead of a herald towards the successes of the past.</p> <p>Sometimes, Robb Heineman makes it too easy to love this team. The enthusiasm is always over the top and the disappointment even more palpable. The whole idea of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> runs in contrast to its Major League neighbors to the east. Just listen to Heineman and picture the Glasses or whatever cabal is running the Chiefs at this moment being so frank (or optimistic).</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.inkkc.com/content/sporting-kansas-city-invests-in-locally-grown-talent/">Sporting Kansas City invests in locally grown talent | Ink</a><br>" ’Paint the wall’ has got to be our expectation," said Heineman, who’s fond of using the Twitter hashtag "#paintthewall." The "wall" is the northwestern corner of Livestrong Park where the team proudly displays its three major trophies: the 2004 U.S. Open Cup, the 2000 Supporter’s Shield (given to the team with the best regular season record) and the 2000 MLS Cup trophy. Not only are those the last three trophies won by the team, they are the only trophies won by a major sports team in Kansas City since the Royals won the World Series in 1985.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>For years, we've waited for a winner in Kansas City. We've bled for one. To be fair, the franchise I cover (as the Wizards) delivered on that promise twice. In 2000, the Wizards using quite possibly the stoutest defense ever seen in MLS and the legendary number ten, Preki, won the franchises only MLS Cup. In 2004, as Preki's career was waning away the Wizards added a US Open Cup title, the second of which they chase today. The problem lies in the lack of novelty in those titles, the idea of a KC soccer fan was born but not quite cognizant of the important occurrences happening around them.</p>
<p>The results have been mixed for the other franchises. Denying that the Chiefs were in some way a winner during the past 25 years may be hard, but there hasn't been much to fall back on. Two playoff wins since Marty Schottenheimer and Carl Peterson came to town. To exacerbate the irrelevance of the problem, the owners have been stoic in many ways, legends built in the founding of the AFl and the merger.</p>
<p>I could talk for hours on the problems plaguing the Royals, but let's just say they're a team far from contention that hasn't really been in contention since the strike "fixed" baseball's problems. Suffice to say Kansas City, a city of winners in the '70s, became a city of losers two short decades later. (Also, to be fair the Blades and Comets had successful runs in the '90s, but we should never accept being a minor league city.)</p>
<p>In 2011, the game changed. Now, we had a team that was not only Kansas City in feel with local players, but also was a contender. In our first year with a legitimate stadium and fanbase, we won the Eastern Conference. This did not translate into a championship nor a finals appearance, but it generated momentum to what looks to be a formative campaign in the re-branding and definition of Sporting KC.</p>
<p>Now, we aren't the misfits, the program that did not belong with the soccer mad crowds of DC, the southwest and pacific northwest. We all still the bell cow when it comes to flashy stadiums, and as every new one is built we remain that through brilliant forward thinking. On the field, we have developed a distinct style that both wears out opponents but physically drains our players, leading to slumps as the past month has displayed.</p>
<p>Tomorrow is a chance for Sporting KC to change the script once more. It is the first time to paint the wall in the present instead of a herald towards the successes of the past. It is the first time to win a championship under a new banner, and the first time for any player associated with the current team to win any silverware in Kansas City. There are many things standing in this way but none loom larger than the same casual failures that doomed the other franchises who spent decades as near to the top as Sporting, but rarely walked away victorious.</p>
<p>Life is fickle like that. Those of you without soccer fandom may find yourself rooting for Sporting KC, if only to break the curse that has hung upon KC sports since I was a child. Then again, the majority of you have prepared for failure as any good Kansas City fan must do, and found that winning is just a cherry on top of the unexpected sundae that you've found.</p>
<p>Until the Chiefs go on their inevitable Super Bowl run, right after Sporting's MLS Cup victory (and the Royals... I can't finish this sentence, see you in 2014), we might as well be Boston fans in 2004 for luck's sake. Then, the entire country can hate us for being smug and we can say look at these rings/ignore Jeff Francouer skulking in the corner. As Herman's Hermits said, "Somethin' tells me I'm into something good." or not, I'm gonna be there in person which should give you <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailywiz.com/2012/7/11/3152260/sir-bens-wednesday-wisdom-why-revenge-is-giving-me-theterror">a case of the terror.</a></p>
<p>Either way, it whould be a hell of a ride at Livestrong or anywhere Sporting KC fans partake in the action.</p>
<p><i><b>For more analysis and discussion on Sporting KC, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailywiz.com/">The Daily Wiz</a>.</b></i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/8/8/3227462/sporting-kansas-city-livestrong-park-paint-the-wallJoseph Landis2012-08-03T08:00:07-05:002012-08-03T08:00:07-05:00Don’t Panic Yet: Sporting KC Still Safe In Eastern Conference
<figure>
<img alt="July 28, 2012; Brock Lesnar does not panic, nor should you. Wait, why is Brock Lesnar coaching our soccer team? Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hmqXe3Osu5PhZa0mYYIkFAMV2Bs=/0x1057:2827x2942/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/8157380/20120731_kdl_sm8_379.jpg" />
<figcaption>July 28, 2012; Brock Lesnar does not panic, nor should you. Wait, why is Brock Lesnar coaching our soccer team? Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The cards have been dealt and it seems they have given us a better hand than last season. Why then is everyone so glum all of a sudden? I will proceed with some cautious optimism to lighten your bleak chilly summer.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The alarm bells are ringing, the footsteps are heard as we are run down, and panic has set in throughout the bi-state area. The once invincible <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> has fallen down into the plebeian doldrums that maintain a fierce balance in the ever competitive Major League Soccer. Meanwhile, out East and West our patrician overlords have requested that every active soccer player over the age of 35 who has ever been heard of request to duty in their push to set records in both salary and dysfunction.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are things to have the utmost terror of and they are occurring in remote regions. Los Angeles has found out that they should have played this year just as last year, and also regained the unfair advantage of a player that should be in Europe right now. <span>Omar Gonzalez</span> was all but gone, but was hacked down by known American patriot Timmy Chandler. In Houston, they have found the new park aura and miraculously have bounced back to the top of the Eastern Conference. We will see them once more at home, so don’t get too worried about them being even with us at this point. Montreal just signed a DP, <span>Alessandro Nesta</span>, then ripped off the New York Red Bulls' arms and beat them to death just like a Wookie should (photographic evidence below). New York may not be the sum of their parts, but the parts sure are pretty.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/4872006/149450414_extra_large.jpg?885427006"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1148230/149450414_extra_large.jpg"><img alt="149450414_extra_large_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1148230/149450414_extra_large_medium.jpg"></a><br>(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The questions abound in the media. Why isn't Sporting Kansas City rising to the occasion and buying all of these fabulous NASL wunderkinds looking to live out their glory days in 100 degree heat in a Midwestern town that shares many similarities with European cities but is not one in any way? Sorry, every potential DP lost interest when you asked what they thought about 100 degree temperatures and they thought of boiling water. Secondly, they also have two images of the United States, Los Angeles and New York. Hell, Freddy Ljungberg freaked out about Seattle, and that place has essentially hipster London weather. Montreal may not seem like a destination but the bilingual status makes it seem cultured and worldly. Kansas City's culture is mistakenly maligned due to some poor PR from the movie Casino that makes us all appear to be gangster criminals. (Not true, Italians hate Joe Pesci.) It probably would have served them some Fats Domino promises that pretty women will "give you some".</p>
<p>In reality, sans injuries, what move do you make to improve this team? Do you get a replacement for Roger Espinoza, who will be back from the Olympics after Honduras magic run ends next week? Do you add center back depth? (We somewhat already did this.) Do you go for a striker given our young talented players disappearance over the past two months? Or do you go for that true winger that Bobby Convey never really became in 2012?</p>
<p>In honesty, they did try to sign some Spanish players, but nothing went through before MLS's arbitrary** deadline. (If Garber spent less time worrying about policing the fans, and more time adhering to international transfer calendars we wouldn't be having this problem). Save injuries to <span>Aurelien Collin</span>, form issues from <span>Teal Bunbury</span>, <span>Roger Espinoza's</span> dream run into the quarterfinals, and the summer expulsions of Julio Cesar and <span>CJ Sapong</span> from any role on the team, nothing is troubling this team. I'll concede that this isn't exactly a small list of problems, but some of it may be form and at some point it has to be laid at <span>Peter Vermes</span> feet.</p>
<p>The happenstances in the departures of many players over the past years has been an odd refrain in his tenure. Even with <span>Jacob Peterson</span> and <span>Bobby Convey's</span> contributions this year, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to imagine how much better <span>Omar Bravo</span> would make this club after one year of gained experience. The strange disappearance of Julio Cesar, an early-season regular and Vermes' terse comments regarding his status stand to give this viewpoint more credibility.</p>
<p>But why fret over a team that is playing better than last year and is arguably still one of the league's top five-six teams. Sure, at one point we thought they were invincible, and at times that still shines through. It may also be that when Sporting KC gets to the playoffs, they will shine. Their struggles so far have come against bottom of the table teams, which makes them all the more infuriating but also gives hope that they play to their competition. The standings still paint a rosy picture but there are a few details that do give some thought.</p>
<blockquote>
<table class="views-table tablesorter standings-table">
<thead><tr>
<th class="views-field"># </th> <th class="views-field" style="text-align:left;"> Club </th> <th title="Points">PTS</th> <th title="Games Played">GP</th> <th title="Points Per Game">PPG</th> <th title="Wins">W</th> <th title="Losses">L</th> <th title="Ties">T</th> <th title="Goals For">GF</th> <th title="Goals Against">GA</th> <th title="Goal Difference">GD</th> <th title="Home Goals For">HG</th> <th title="Home Goals Difference">HGD</th> <th title="Road Goals For">RG</th> <th title="Road Goals Difference">RGD</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even">
<td class="views-field first" style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td class="views-field"><a href="http://www.newyorkredbulls.com"> New York Red Bulls</a></td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">38</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">22</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1.73</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">11</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">38</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">32</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">22</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">12</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">16</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="views-field first" style="text-align: center;">2</td>
<td class="views-field"><a href="http://www.houstondynamo.com"> Houston Dynamo</a></td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">37</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">22</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1.68</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">10</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">33</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">25</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">8</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">19</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">12</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">14</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td class="views-field first" style="text-align: center;">3</td>
<td class="views-field"><a href="http://www.sportingkc.com"> Sporting Kansas City</a></td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">37</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">22</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1.68</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">11</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">27</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">21</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">12</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">15</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="views-field first" style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td class="views-field"><a href="http://www.dcunited.com/"> D.C. United</a></td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">33</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">20</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1.65</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">10</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">3</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">34</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">27</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">23</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">14</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">11</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even playoff-cut">
<td class="views-field first" style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td class="views-field"><a href="http://www.chicago-fire.com"> Chicago Fire</a></td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">32</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">21</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1.52</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">9</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">23</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">23</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">0</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">13</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">10</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="views-field first" style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td class="views-field"><a href="http://www.thecrew.com"> Columbus Crew</a></td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">28</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">19</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1.47</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">8</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">20</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">20</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">0</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">12</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">8</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td class="views-field first" style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td class="views-field"><a href="http://www.impactmontreal.com/"> Montreal Impact</a></td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">27</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">24</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1.13</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">8</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">13</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">3</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">33</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">43</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-10</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">23</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">10</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-16</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="views-field first" style="text-align: center;">8</td>
<td class="views-field"><a href="http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/"> Philadelphia Union</a></td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">23</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">19</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1.21</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">10</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">2</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">22</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">22</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">0</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">16</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td class="views-field first" style="text-align: center;">9</td>
<td class="views-field"><a href="http://revolutionsoccer.net/"> New England Revolution</a></td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">23</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">21</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">1.1</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">10</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">26</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">27</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-1</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">16</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">10</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="views-field first" style="text-align: center;">10</td>
<td class="views-field"><a href="http://www.torontofc.ca"> Toronto FC</a></td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">19</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">21</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">0.9</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">12</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">24</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">38</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-14</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">11</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-7</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">13</td>
<td class="views-field" style="text-align: center;">-7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>D.C went from being three games ahead to two games behind on games played. If current form holds, expect them to get 3-4 points from those games.</li>
<li>Columbus has three games in hand, but hasn't shown well against everyone else in the league.</li>
<li>Montreal and Philadelphia have momentum, but Montreal is going to run out of games and Philadelphia started too far back to make a charge.</li>
</ul>
<p>While the gap from third to sixth isn't as vast as the divide in the West, Sporting is comfortably clear of the pack at the moment. With twelve matches remaining they only need slightly more than a point a match to reach last season's total of 51 which won the East. Just nine more (46) matches the total that earned New York the final playoff seed last year as well.</p>
<p>In reality, by the US Open Cup final, they should have their entire team back. At that point, it's going to be a nail-biter to the finish on the race for the first seed, but us fans shouldn't worry too much about playoffs. After the aforementioned final, the summer congestion ends and MLS regular play continues for all of the Eastern teams (Toronto is in the CCL, but out of the picture). No team has demonstrated yet that they equal to Kansas City's squad at full strength and stamina. It may be over the horizon, but the sun is bound to shine on this team soon.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>*Note: Then, something did go through after the arbitrary deadline making it seem even more arbitrary. Sporting KC signed 20-year-old Oriol Rosell, who if his youth signings indicate anything might be pretty good. He was signed by Real Madrid at 12, went to RCD Espanyol, and spent the last few years at the legendary La Masia before being called into Barcelona's B squad, which is usually one of the top Segunda division teams (cannot be promoted to La Liga).</p>
</blockquote>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/sporting-kansas-city/2012/8/3/3212064/sporting-kc-panic-quotient-standingsJoseph Landis2012-08-01T08:00:36-05:002012-08-01T08:00:36-05:00Stoke City Caps Brief Friendly Schedule For Sporting KC
<figure>
<img alt="COLUMBUS, OH - JULY 24: Peter Crouch #25 of Stoke City FC signs autographs for fans in the twenty-third row on July 24, 2012 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QeO6i5iCbrb1LVafP3lP2-7jqRg=/2x0:3997x2663/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/8024259/149193516.jpg" />
<figcaption>COLUMBUS, OH - JULY 24: Peter Crouch #25 of Stoke City FC signs autographs for fans in the twenty-third row on July 24, 2012 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Most English Team That Ever Englished Comes Faces Sporting KC. One side prepares for the long EPL season while Sporting KC will most likely put forth a reserve laden unit while licking their wounds, both figuratively and literally.</p> <p></p>
<p>Ahhh, that's what we were looking for; more talented players reenacting 1990's US Soccer. If you are looking for a team to support in England that plays the "beautiful game", this is not it. If you are looking for a team to get results and screw with the big four-five (and for nostalgia's sake <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>), you've come to the right place.</p>
<p>They are a team defined by power down the middle of the field and speed on the wings. It suits a team of height like Stoke City to play on the wings and cross to their large strikers or better to get set pieces and try to steal matches. For those of you who doubt my tactical analysis, here's Jonathan Wilson's take:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/web/COM1172598/index.htm">Jonathan Wilson: Perennial mid-table Premiership teams try - 07.27.10 - SI Vault</a><br>Two seasons ago, as a newly promoted club, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city">Stoke City</a> finished 12th in the Premier League. Last season it won two points more and finished 11th, but it would be a stretch to describe that as progress. The Stoke story is a remarkable one, and what manager <span>Tony Pulis</span> has achieved on a net transfer spend of roughly $43 million over two seasons is extraordinary. Already, though, the club is facing the classic difficulty of the overachiever: What next?</p>
<p>Stoke's football is resolutely pragmatic. No neutral would go out of his way to watch highlights from the Britannia Stadium. The arrival of <span>Matthew Etherington</span> and <span>Tuncay Sanli</span> and a decreasing reliance on <span>Rory Delap's</span> long throws suggest a slow move to a more sophisticated form of soccer, but if the message boards and phone-ins are to be believed, even Stoke fans last season were beginning to tire of their side's physicality.</p>
<p>Realistically, though, what is Pulis to do? Compared to the sides above Stoke in the table, he has a modest budget, and with the players available it is hard to imagine how a more expansive approach could be more successful. So he is left to try, slowly, to integrate more creative players without losing the discipline that has kept Stoke safe from relegation for two seasons. It is a hugely difficult balancing act and, barring a sudden injection of cash or the emergence of a crop of gifted teenagers at the club, it is hard to see how Stoke could achieve much more than it has over the past two years. The glum truth is that, given the economics of modern football -- and Portsmouth's decline is a warning to those who may be tempted to overreach -- this is as good as it gets.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Stoke City is that team that shouldn't win, and they don't quite as much as the others do. They've finished 13<sup>th </sup>(could have finished in eight had cards fallen right) in 2010-11 and 14<sup>th</sup> in 2011-12, but they've also never been near the relegation battle. By finishing 2<sup>nd</sup> in the 2011 FA Cup to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>, they even got to taste European competition, getting to the round of 32 in the Europa League.*</p>
<p>*Note: The Europa League is the most convoluted tournament on the planet. There are three qualifying rounds, one playoff round, a group stage, then the 16 advancing teams from the group stage meet the sixteen Champions League losers bracket teams. Eleventy billion teams compete in this tournament which incidentally started last week. (Although, I kid. 202-204 teams have competed in the Europa League, when it's finished.)</p>
<p>Stoke has started strong and faded the past two years. Injuries can be blamed as can the style of play. Whereas their style doesn't really require them to be on the best form early in the year, as other teams coalesce, they seem to be passed by. The best example is Wigan, who finished just two points behind them going the opposite round by ending strong after an abysmal start.</p>
<h4>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110223/peter-crouch">Peter Crouch</a> Is The Only Player You Know; He's Really Tall</h4>
<p>This is the awful line any American will be fed. They will tell you about his glory days with the English National Team (Didn't happen) or how he used to star for Liverpool and Tottenham (Kind of, but not really). They will tell you he's really good in the air (duh), and completely ignore that he scores some amazing goals with that clunky frame of his. This will suit you just fine, because really he's Peter Crouch. Don't worry, nobody feels sorry for him living with his image <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/swimsuit/modelfeatured/abbey_clancy/2010/body_painting/6/30/index.htm">after seeing his girlfriend (now wife) body painted in Sports Illustrated</a> (slightly NSFW) and he's stinking rich.</p>
<p>He does <a target="_blank" href="http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/11/25/goalkeeper-short-passing-distribution/">win an amazing amount of headers off goal kicks</a>, which make his keepers look good at passing and him look awful at it. This whole team eats you alive on headers and aerial attacks, but possesses good speed from Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington to beat defenders and supply Crouch.</p>
<p>He may do this which will justify every dollar you paid to see the match.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xpo34w_peter-crouch-amazing-goal-x-man-city_sport" frameborder="0" height="278" width="480"></iframe><br><i><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/KooraPage" target="_blank"></a></i></p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Watch <span>Robert Huth</span> and the Irish <span>Matt Besler</span>
</h4>
<p>Stoke brought in two former England National Team center backs to replace Huth, and he has rendered them second rate. While <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110211/matthew-upson">Matthew Upson</a> and <span>Jonathan Woodgate</span> didn't log a full season between them, Huth has been the mainstay of their defense. He also brings a powerful shot to the table, which apparently no one on the Internet likes enough to pirate video of which to demonstrate. You'll have to trust me on this.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/04/11/rory-delap-throw-ins-stoke-wolves/">Rory Delap is the Irish Matt Besler.</a> Stoke doesn't rely on this nearly as much as they used to or much at all, but Delap used to be one of their main forms of offense and rarely touched the ball otherwise. The link above is a hilariously simple chart showing the disparity between him playing open passing and throwing the ball in.</p>
<h4>Sporting's Lineup</h4>
<p>So let's just say this, there will be eleven guys on the field. 22 legs, 22 arms, most likely all signed to a contract with Sporting KC. In all likelihood, the majority of these players will not be first-teamers and the majority of them will not be regulars in the 18. The problem with putting friendlies is that someone is going to get tired, hurt, or quite possibly break his face. This is not a viable result for a team competing for a title, so let's just pretend for a night that we did put our best foot forward and gave a solid representation of our reserve squad's talent</p>
<h4>Predictions</h4>
<p>I really messed up last week, but I also expected us to field a few more starters. With the same lineup expect a 2-0 loss, but if we put a mixture similar to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.massivereport.com/">Columbus Crew's</a> setup, we may put on a show and win one or at least play a boring 0-0 draw in the summer heat. Can't wait for cool air and less sluggish games to come back to Livestrong.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/8/1/3212020/stoke-city-sporting-kansas-city-friendlyJoseph Landis2012-07-24T17:18:28-05:002012-07-24T17:18:28-05:00Montpelier HSC Opens Summer Friendlies For Sporting KC
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-daCoPkP4QDksY3aBAokjmN3Keg=/76x0:561x323/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1254068/mhsc.JPG" />
</figure>
<p>Many unfamiliar faces will be on the field for both Sporting KC and the surprise victors of Ligue 1, Montpelier HSC. Let's just reflect on how strange their victory in 2012 was and ponder who should be leading the attack this year with Olivier Giroud off to Arsenal. </p> <p>The start of the awkward summer friendly season is upon us. In a time where the schedules are already compacted by international dates in June, summer friendlies offer us the time to watch some of the larger clubs in the world and many of our reserves. It's not all bad as sometimes you pull a stunner, like our 2-1 defeat of Manchester United back in 2010. Mostly it's just a fun way to feature our stadium and earn some money.</p>
<p>As the opponent this time is not very well known, let's look at Montpelier HSC, currently cashing in on the Ligue 1 championship they secured this past season.</p>
<h4>2012 Defines Montpelier</h4>
<p>There are some moments that occurred in Montepelier's history worth remembering, but neevr mistake them for a powerhouse or even historically competitive club. The list of former players from the late 80's early 90's is amazing. From the iconic Eric Cantona, recently ousted French coach Laurent Blanc, Roger Milla arguably the best player ever to come out of Africa, and my personal favorite Carlos Valderrama, it was clear they weren't lacking for star power. However, those names never brought them a league title.</p>
<p>Ligue 1 is an interesting league. It isn't as top heavy or talented as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/england">England</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/spain">Spain</a>, but after this year may reflect the German Bundesliga more than anything. Olympic Lyon won seven consecutive titles to open the decade, but the past four years have seen four different champions. Much like the Bundesliga, the spending (outside of PSG, who has gone nuclear this year on the transfer market) is curtailed to a point that a competitive balance occurs, even with a clear favorite existing. The knock on Ligue 1 is a dependence on defense, that has actually served them well in international competition against better opponents.</p>
<p>Montpelier was led last season by Olivier Giroud's 23 goals and a defense that allowed a league low 34 in league play. Giroud has since moved on to greener pastures in London, playing for <span>Arsene Wenger</span> at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a>. The incoming players at Montpelier are younger and they seem to be following the French model of selling out older talent and reloading. However, with Paris St. Germaine being bought out by Qataris, that window they climbed through may have been shut promptly afterwards.</p>
<h4>Player To Watch</h4>
<p><b>Younès Belhanda</b></p>
<p>I won't lie I have no idea who will be playing ahead of him after Giroud left, but expect them to be better for having Belhanda as the number 10. Belhanda was the second leading scorer as well as supplying four assists last season and he was a major part of the improvement that got Montpelier its first league title. He's just 22 and if he continues the improvement seen over the past couple of seasons, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/france">France</a> will regret losing him to Morocco. The downside for Montpelier is they are still likely to be sellers in most situations so the same improvement might lead him out of Ligue 1 as well.</p>
<h4>What To Expect</h4>
<p>Last season, in two friendlies at Livestrong in the horrific summer heat, Sporting KC walked away with two draws. Expect something similar here, as both teams are noted for their defensive stinginess. If this becomes a shootout, I will both be alarmed and extremely happy. However, don't expect as wide a mismatch as the earlier MLS friendlies such as Seattle-<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> was.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/7/24/3184771/montpelier-hsc-opens-summer-friendlies-for-sporting-kcJoseph Landis2012-07-21T08:00:08-05:002012-07-21T08:00:08-05:00Sporting Faces A Different New England Side The Second Time Around
<figure>
<img alt="KANSAS CITY, KS - JULY 30: C.J. Sapong #17 of Sporting Kansas City controls the ball through New England Revolution defenders during the game on July 30, 2011 at LiveStrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qZHcnbx8wd8E7u2cgVCX240b_p8=/0x20:990x680/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3525071/120123367.jpg" />
<figcaption>KANSAS CITY, KS - JULY 30: C.J. Sapong #17 of Sporting Kansas City controls the ball through New England Revolution defenders during the game on July 30, 2011 at LiveStrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A different Philadelphia comes to Livestrong than the unit that suffered a 3-0 defeat. The heat should be on, and again Sporting will rely on a reserve heavy midfield to stifle the strength of New England's squad.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> return today for their second of three matches with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a>. The first match was a predictably laughable affair, worse because of a red card in the fourteenth minute. At that point, New England was expected to be that bad, but some savvy acquisitions have changed the team into a respectable unit at the least.</p>
<h4>
<span>Lee Nguyen</span> Supplants Feilhaber</h4>
<p>Vancouver has made some strange moves this year, even if you cannot blame them just on results alone. Their outright release of Lee Nguyen was a head scratcher, as anyone familiar with him could see potential that at least would get something in return. After being signed by New England, Nguyen was inserted into the lineup for an injured <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110923/benny-feilhaber">Benny Feilhaber</a> and has supplanted him as the center point of the midfield's attack. With Feilhaber in the lineup still, this means New England's strength lies in midfield with lots of players to supply <span>Saer Sene</span> up top. It would be better if Sporting plays more regulars or the possession problems they had in the first half of Houston will continue.</p>
<h4>New England Still Is A Poor Team On The Road</h4>
<p>New England is 1-7-1 on the road, which vastly differs from their 5-2-3 mark at home. The disparity in this case plays out in Sporting's favor, so we'll certainly take it. There isn't any indication of why, as no one would say Gillette Stadium is an intimidating venue so perhaps it's just an over-exaggeration of the natural home-road splits.</p>
<h4>Midfield Questions for Sporting KC.</h4>
<p>The hope from playing a reserve-heavy lineup in Houston is that a full squad team will be available tonight for Sporting KC. On the other hand. we may not know who is a reserve at the moment as, Espinoza is in London and Julio Cesar is on the outs with Vermes. <span>Graham Zusi</span> is nursing a quad strain, which explains his recent absence. So it may be that Zusi doesn't get on the field at all, but most likely not a full 90 either. The obvious replacement is suspended due to his recent bout of insanity, and the other replacements aren't so offensive minded. The likely midfield would be Juilo Cesar, <span>Paulo Nagamura</span>, and <span>Michael Thomas</span> but that offers very little offensive potential. Expect Zusi to play even if he is unable to go the entire match. An outside the box suggestion is to move Kamara into the central attacking midfield role as his work-rate best approximates Zusi's but that is just a crazy suggestion.</p>
<h4>Lineup</h4>
<p><span>Jimmy Nielsen</span></p>
<p><span>Chance Myers</span> - <span>Aurelien Collin</span> - <span>Matt Besler</span> - <span>Seth Sinovic</span></p>
<p><span>Michael Thomas</span> - Paulo Nagamura</p>
<p>Graham Zusi</p>
<p><span>Kei Kamara</span> - <span>Jacob Peterson</span></p>
<p><span>CJ Sapong</span></p>
<h4>Prediction</h4>
<p>Sporting KC 2 New England 1</p>
<p>They've been solid at home lately and if Zusi plays they won't be overrun in the midfield. The flanks should be to Sporting KC's advantage so expect Myers and Kamara to control the game from the right.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/7/21/3172058/sporting-faces-a-different-new-england-side-the-second-time-aroundJoseph Landis2012-07-19T10:00:18-05:002012-07-19T10:00:18-05:00Sporting KC Vs. Houston: Player Ratings From Wednesday's Loss
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/exbUQvHgNjCYGioT7IQoM5ZwogU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828121/large_kansascity.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Last night was a night to forget for Sporting KC with the final result being a 2-1 loss to Houston. Here's a breakdown of SKC player ratings from the game:</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Jimmy Nielsen</span></span> -6<br>Came up big on a deflection, and can't really be blamed for either goal. Jimmy is never going to be the fastest of goalies, but his instincts are spot on.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Michael Harrington</span> -4<br>He seemed lost, which for a veteran player is odd. He often drifted too far inside and is not prone to advancing quite like Myers can. It was a poor match for him, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief when he was replaced by Myers and switched to the left. Then, of course, they gave up a goal on Myers side.<br></span></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Aurelien Collin</span> -6<br>The Houston announcers couldn't stop lauding his performance, and this was one of those matches where he did have his challenges well timed. His rating drops because of the weird overplay on the goal, where he covers for the rest of the defense leaving <span>Calen Carr</span> right in front of the goal.<br></span></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Matt Besler</span> -4<br>On the first goal, I have no idea where he is. Collin is covering for him, he should at least be covering for Collin. On the second, the cross passes his outstretched body, where he may have been better served staying up and challenging the awkward attempt by Calen Carr. Outside that it was solid, but being either involved or disappearing on the two goals doesn't sit well.<br></span></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Seth Sinovic</span> -4</span><br>Sporting KC was abused outside on the left as well as the right. In Sinovic's case, they played more inside of him, but he didn't play a part when they drifted inside pulling the center backs away from their mark towards Will Bruin's diagonal runs.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Paulo Nagamura</span> -4<br>Not his most active role in a game where the play often drifted out wide. The concession of possession still falls on the midfield, but without Joseph pressing higher the second level of pressing never really set in.<br></span></p>
<p><span>Michael Thomas</span>-4<br>He was on the field. Had a clever flick on in the waning moments of the match, but neither hurt or helped his cause. The rift that may exist between Vermes and Julio Cesar did more to help his stock than this performance.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Peterson Joseph</span> -2<br>The effort was there, the restraint was nowhere to be found. He didn't have any of the insightful passes that he showed in the Columbus match, and often failed to even maintain possession. The red card was harsh, but correctly ruled. You can't really ask for more in a league plagued at times by poor officiating.<br></span></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Kei Kamara</span> - 6<br>He's disruptive and by far the biggest mismatch that Sporting KC presents. While you have moments where he does odd things on defense (juggling the ball and clearing over his head), he also gets back and makes strong challenges to keep the ball away from Sporting's goal. On offense, his decision making often went awry but he was also the one creating these chances.<br></span></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link">Jacob Peterson - 6<br>He's well on his way to fan favorite. That's not something we expected out of the journeyman, the least heralded of the three acquisitions in the off-season. The run he made to get the penalty was another savvy move by the veteran. Perhaps, if Kamara saw another run towards the far post, he gets a goal there to take the pressure off Sporting KC.<br></span></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Teal Bunbury</span></span> -4<br>He sure is fast. There were ample opportunities for that speed to pay dividends in the first half, but each time Bunbury was foiled by either impatience or poor touch. Obviously, the PK argument with Kamara was odd, but chalk that up to Bunbury just wanting to be involved and score as opposed to the weirdly petulant display by both players.</p>
<h5>Subs</h5>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>CJ Sapong </span>- N/A He was on the field for an entire half and I have nothing to say about him. He wasn't out of position, but he wasn't involved either. He should've dropped into the Zusi role and held up the ball hoping for an occasional counter. Instead, Vermes put him up top and said pray the ball comes to me. It didn't<br></span></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Chance Myers</span> -3 It's mean, but he steps onto the field plays too narrow much like Harrington did all game and <span>Brad Davis</span> took advantage. That was the game, and he was involved in the loss just fifteen seconds into the match.<br></span></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Bobby Convey</span> -N/A He got on the field, which is a positive development. His first touch was a poor quickly taken cross that should have given Sporting a chance to equalize and steal a point.<br></span></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/7/19/3169120/player-ratings-for-skc-houston-matchJoseph Landis2012-07-19T08:02:04-05:002012-07-19T08:02:04-05:00Seeing Red: Sporting KC Loses 2-1 In Houston
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<p>The main storyline coming in was can <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> replace <span>Roger Espinoza</span>. <span>Peterson Joseph</span> looked at some Espinoza tape this week and thought, "Hell, I can run around the midfield out of control and wreck havoc." So for 45 and a couple extra minutes, Joseph maintained such aggression and reckless behavior bowling over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> players and making things uncomfortable. Then, he went full bad-Espinoza and mowed down Houston's <span>Calen Carr</span>, SKC fans screamed(multiple expletives deleted) in exasperation and the tens of Dynamo fans in attendance celebrated. Luckily for us, Oscar Boniek Garcia remained on the field and did his best to remind us how well Honduran national team players go to ground.</p>
<h4>We Get It, We're Deep</h4>
<p>Never rest Graham Zusi this much, and especially not <span>Chance Myers</span>. Dear God, what did you tell <span>Peter Vermes</span> that made him think, I bet my reserves are just as good in this brilliant system. Even before the card, the cracks were apparent. <span>Teal Bunbury</span> couldn't hold the ball worth a damn. <span>Michael Harrington</span> had one of those horrible, "I have no idea where I'm supposed to be positioned games." With <span>Paulo Nagamura</span> in the good Cesar role and <span>Michael Thomas</span> as missing Cesar, the midfield needed someone to assert himself. That is not what we meant Peterson Joseph, but nice try. <br><br>Give Vermes credit for realizing both the ability to win this game as opposed to the New England home match on Saturday and the extreme conditions likely to exist in Kansas City on Saturday. On the other hand, why can't Graham Zusi come on in the second half and maintain a semblance of possession in midfield. The subs weren't bad, as Myers needed to come in, Bunbury was going to fight <span>Kei Kamara</span> at some point, and <span>Bobby Convey</span> might not remember what a soccer pitch feels like as evidenced by his first touch.</p>
<h4>Bruin and Carr Eat Up Defenders, <span>Brad Davis</span> Does An Effective Brad Davis Impersonation</h4>
<p>Calen Carr will get the headlines for the brace (should've been a hat trick) and for taking the hit that sent Kansas City down a man. Credit must be given where credit is due. The Houston front three outplayed their counterparts even with <span>Macoumba Kandji</span> and <span>Brian Ching</span> playing the entire game in an offside position. The worst displays of defending in a while were on display as Carr and Bruin continuously one-twoed the defense and for some reason the two central defenders couldn't cope with it. On the first goal, the always aggressive <span>Aurelien Collin</span> chased down a loose <span>Will Bruin</span>, who was far enough out that he wasn't a clear danger. Behind Collin, Carr took an awkward but effective pass and hit a perfect far post shot. The finish was special, the build-up was as Sterling Archer would put it "baby town frolics." Luckily, the second goal was the opposite, great buildup, trashy lucky finish.</p>
<p>Brad Davis just did what he does. His first involvement was a perfectly timed run that he played back onto Aurelien Collin. His free kicks were dangerous, even if the best scoring opportunity came on a clever deflection by Paulo Nagamura. He was in the right place to get shots later and ultimately hit the cross that won them the match. Davis will always be a AAAA player, probably not good enough for a bigger stage, but he's pretty fantastic as the big fish in Houston's pond.</p>
<h4>Nothing To See Here</h4>
<p>In all fairness, this wasn't an awful performance. Sporting KC didn't play its best creative player, its best wingback, and played one half with the fleet footed but Bloodhound Gangin' Teal Bunbury (and a second half with <span>CJ Sapong</span> thinking, "Coach, perhaps we need a midfielder or the ball.") <span>Jacob Peterson</span> again played well as an inverted winger making another fantastic run to earn a penalty., and Kei Kamara was his usual self in good and bad ways.</p>
<p>Things haven't changed much after this match, as long as <span>Seth Sinovic</span> went off with a leg cramp. We learned that Livestrong is still the best stadium in MLS because it is full of fans. <span>Graham Zusi's</span> absence resulted in both tragedy and the realization that he's still our most valuable player. We also learned that <span>Jimmy Nielsen</span> makes the most fantastic saves off of his teammates misplays and has trouble with fluky finishes like the second goal. While New England is not the same team that Sporting beat 3-0 back in April, Sporting may be the same team that dominated that game. Don't panic.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/7/19/3169060/seeing-red-sporting-kc-loses-2-1-in-houstonJoseph Landis2012-07-18T13:12:56-05:002012-07-18T13:12:56-05:00Seeing Red: Sporting KC Loses 2-1 In Houston
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<img alt="HOUSTON - JULY 18: Boniek Garcia #27 of the Houston Dynamo keeps the ball away from Peterson Joseph #19 of the Sporting KC in the first half at BBVA Compass Stadium on July 18, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G_pkgY8IRn68_w4mnUf2jU6jqM8=/0x264:4000x2931/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/7936185/148639503.jpg" />
<figcaption>HOUSTON - JULY 18: Boniek Garcia #27 of the Houston Dynamo keeps the ball away from Peterson Joseph #19 of the Sporting KC in the first half at BBVA Compass Stadium on July 18, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Peterson Joseph's Roger Espinoza impression does not impress Sporting KC fans, but does entertain casual observers. The rest of the team performs admirably, which is supporter speak for "loses with dignity, which still makes us miserable." At the end of the match, "bodies were strewn everywhere", which implies that the Houston announcers were watching a B-movie in the booth.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/7/18/3167638/busy-july-continues-in-houston-for-sporting-kcJoseph Landis2012-07-18T13:09:44-05:002012-07-18T13:09:44-05:00Busy July Continues in Houston For Sporting KC
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<img alt="KANSAS CITY, KS - JULY 7: Macoumba Kandji #9 of the Houston Dynamo heads the ball away from Paulo Nagamura #6 of the Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park on July 7, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G7hLqHgcK2Wof4S6wRuNinwGcIA=/0x141:625x558/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/7803487/148011828.jpg" />
<figcaption>KANSAS CITY, KS - JULY 7: Macoumba Kandji #9 of the Houston Dynamo heads the ball away from Paulo Nagamura #6 of the Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park on July 7, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Sporting KC hopes to keep their solid July going in a new park that hasn't ever seen the home Dynamo lose. While Roger Espinoza is away in London, Sporting KC hopes their new-found depth can get them through the next couple of fixtures.</p> <p>The games are coming faster and faster these days it seems. Today's is the third game in eight days and is a showcase of the stadium that supplanted Livestrong Sporting Park as MLS's newest this season. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> is on a roll, not only winning matches in cup play and league play but doing it with interchangeable parts. Depth was something that the fans worried about and lately those fears have turned into an obvious strength. Houston is another version of 2011 Kansas City. They are undefeated in their new stadium after digging a slight hole on the road to open the season. They have neither been as strong as Sporting KC was after June last year, nor were they quite as wretched to open the season. In other words, they are the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a>, seemingly the most stable and boring franchise in MLS.</p>
<h4>Covering <span>Brad Davis</span>
</h4>
<p>This was the most effective portion of the "reined in" display when these two met earlier this month. <span>Paulo Nagamura</span> did an effective job shutting down Houston's attack where it starts, and no team in MLS relies more on its central creator than Houston and Brad Davis. (Of course, in last year's semifinal, he was injured which most times would kill a team.) <span>Will Bruin</span> has finally given the Dynamo a striker not named <span>Brian Ching</span>, and that is a development that has been six years coming in Houston. Sporting's defense has been in form lately (at least on the scoreboard) and cutting off the supply lines to Bruin should be enough to at least walk out of Houston with a point.</p>
<h4>Rotation Again</h4>
<p><span>Roger Espinoza</span> is off to London to play for Honduras, and recent hero <span>Jacob Peterson</span> picked up an ankle injury in the last match. So expect a back four that remains the same, but expect the rest of the lineup to change. <span>Graham Zusi</span> will be back in the starting eleven and joined by <span>Kei Kamara</span>, but outside that it is up in the air. We haven't seen Julio Cesar for a while, so until that is answered expect more Paulo Nagamura. Whether the other spot is occupied, by Cesar, <span>Michael Thomas</span>, or <span>Peterson Joseph</span> is the mystery. All of their front line options are available with the slight knock on Peterson, so they could put anyone in the starting lineup. My guess would be <span>CJ Sapong</span> and <span>Bobby Convey</span>, but the other two options (Peterson and <span>Teal Bunbury</span>) will probably play as well.</p>
<h4>Defense Needs To Step Up</h4>
<p>For all of the chatter about the defense being back to early season form, they aren't quite there. There were several chances last week, that <span>Jimmy Nielsen</span> stoned or the bar was kind enough to deny. In the early season, teams weren't even getting chances. Again without their first choice midfield, thye may cede more possession than usual, but they proved last week they can be equally or even more dangerous on the counter attack. The greater fear is that the defense allows too many chances and Houston is better equipped to finish them than Columbus was.</p>
<h4>Lineup</h4>
<p>Jimmy Nielsen</p>
<p><span>Chance Myers</span> - <span>Aurelien Collin</span> - <span>Matt Besler</span> - <span>Seth Sinovic</span></p>
<p><span>Julio Cesar Santos</span> - Paulo Nagamura</p>
<p>Graham Zusi</p>
<p>Kei Kamara - Bobby Convey</p>
<p>CJ Sapong</p>
<h4>Prediction</h4>
<h5>Sporting KC 2 - Houston 1</h5>
<p>No road team has won at BBVA Compass Stadium yet, but Sporting KC is playing better than any team outside the Bay Area. The script will follow the Columbus game, but Houston will score an equalizer in between the two Sporting goals. It's best to remember that a draw here is not a bad result, so if you see a Sporting KC team trying to play for a tie, don't kill the messenger.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/sporting-kansas-city/2012/7/18/3167495/busy-july-continues-houston-sporting-kcJoseph Landis