Sporting KC flames out 5-0 in Chicago

Sporting Kansas City returned to the road this week for a third straight away game. After a scoreless first half, the Chicago Fire FC scored on a penalty kick, and then the floodgates opened. Chicago added four more to make it a 5-0 final score.

Gregg Berhalter’s starting lineup. 

Sporting KC head coach Raphael Wicky’s starters in his return to the city where he once lived and coached.

The first half went well. At least as well as Sporting KC could hope. The two teams both had some chances, including a shot off the post for SKC winger Calvin Harris. It was a nice buildup for SKC, Capita Capemba played it to Dejan Joveljić, who then setup Harris. Wicky’s team played compact and limited chances, making it to the half with a clean sheet. Offensively, they had the aforementioned chance but not many more opportunities on goal.

The second half was similar to the first until a Chicago shot was blocked by Ian James. Referee Brandon Stevis immediately pointed to the spot. Broadcast replays were not conclusive. VAR did not find enough evidence ot overturn the call on the field.

Belgian DP striker Hugo Cuypers stepped up to take the penalty. SKC keeper John Pulskamp made the save, but the ball rebounded back in front of goal. Chicago players reacted quicker than Sporting KC. In the mad dash scramble, Philip Zinckernagel managed to touch the ball across the line.

Pulskamp, a very vocal keeper, protested that he was interfered with in the scramble in front of goal. VAR did not intervene, and the goal stood.

Sporting KC had kept the game close until that point. Once the goal was scored, SKC started pushing and opened themselves up to Chicago’s superior attack. After the Zinckernagel  goal in the 51st, he followed it up in the 65th. Cuypers added one in the 73rd and another in the 98th.  Those sandwiched a score by Maren Haile-Selassie in the 79th.

Sporting KC are 1-7-1 with just 4 points and returns home to face fifth-place Seattle in their next match.