Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City vs Portland Timbers Match Thread
Sporting Kansas City tries to shake off a shellacking in St. Louis as they host the Portland Timbers in a nationally televised match
Sporting Kansas City vs. Portland Timbers
Time: 2:00 pm CST
Location: Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas
How to Watch: Apple TV MLS Live, Fox
Commentators: English: Tony Husband, Ross Smith Spanish: Sergio Ruiz, Miguel Gallardo
Line: Sporting KC -125, Portland Timbers +300, Draw +260
Referee:Â Rubiel Vazquez
The Teams
Sporting Kansas City
2-8-4, 10 points
13th in the West
Head Coach: Peter Vermes (15th season)
Last 5: L-W-W-D-L
Injury Report: OUT: Tim Melia (quad), OUT: Kortne Ford (Achilles surgery), OUT: Kayden Pierre (hamstring), OUT: Willy Agada (tibia stress fracture), OUT: Khiry Shelton (adductor)

Portland Timbers
4-6-4, 16 points
9th in the West
Head Coach:Â Giovanni Savarese (6th season)
Last 5: W-D-W-D-L
Injury Report: OUT: Felipe Mora (left knee), OUT: David Ayala (left knee), OUT: Eryk Williamson (right knee), OUT: Pablo Bonilla (right hamstring)
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Any word on why Johnny and Remy aren’t even on the bench?
Apparently Russell injured his hamstring in practice Friday, and Remi is having back spasms. Wonder what could have possibly lead to Russell being in a position to re-injure the very thing that kept him out at the beginning of the season. Whatever it is I’m absolutely positive it’s not overuse and being run into the ground…
Meanwhile the ones that were on the injury report are starting
That was fast
Sucks that was just outside the box
Terrible job clearing the ball leads to a goal as the ball perfectly bounces to the other side. Meanwhile, the offense consists of knocking the ball around the outside over and over and over and over while all the guys in the middle stand around waiting for the guy with the ball to do something. There needs to more movement in the middle. The guys in the middle need to be seeking space in between the defenders and/or making runs for through balls. Instead, it’s a lot of standing around.
Wow, what a shot
That was a stupid foul from Rosero. He’s been very iffy today. At least 5 errant passes that either went out of bounds or directly to Portland
Anyone know what the foul was??? At the game and very confused.
Rosero he pushed a guy at the start of the play.
This might be a hot take but I think Gadi Kinda and Erik Thommy together might be the midfield we need a lot more this season. They add an additional offensive spark on the field’s left and right sides. I like Remi Walter, and there are going to be games we need him rather than a Kinda and Thommy midfield, however, he just doesn’t give enough offense—doesn’t really progress the ball, and is passive.
Of course, the downside is neither one (Thommy or Kinda) is going to give you a ton of bite defensively.
Completely agree.
Not sure why Zusi is coming on. Jake Davis wasn’t terrible. He was doing just fine.
Jacob Peterson on the radio, just as surprised as I am.
Jake took a knock in the first half. And wasn’t surprised by the 2nd half sub based on his reaction from the hard hit.
I can get on board with this! Glad I turned this one on in the second half.
I was wondering how on earth Pulido put it in with such a soft touch, but saw the own goal there on replay
Man, the last two goals show you how important long balls (including switches) are in SKC’s offense. Its probably why PV made the switch to Zusi and brought Espinoza on. If they do anything, they will play long balls. That changed the game. Hope that’s a skill that the prospects like Jake Davis, Felipe Hernandez, Ndenbe, and Danny Flores pick up.
Shelton is just so bad. He’s been on for 10 minutes, has done nothing productive, committed 3 or 4 fouls because he has no skill, and gets a yellow.
Sure the first couple were questionable, but he can’t sell a foul to save his life and ends up just incriminating himself
I’m no Shelton lover, but I thought that was a pretty soft yellow and he was robbed of a foul. I think he just messed up that opportunity from the 50/50 which is frustrating, but anytime he’s put on, I know it’s only to be a big body to knock people around. But I would rather see Afrifa still.
Perfect use of Shelton today. Limited bench. Midweek game upcoming. Game was already in hand. Send him out to jog around a bit to save Alan.
Oh I definitely agree. I’m just commenting on how bad he is. Every time he plays I’m reminded
You’re absolutely correct. But i care less when he’s a human victory cigar 😉
It might be worth mentioning that this was Afrifa’s first normal week of practice. I think he joined right before the schedule congestion started. I’d have given him the minutes up 3-1 anyway, but I can understand why he didn’t get them.
Also that ref had it out for KS. BS yellow, kept getting fouled and kept having it called on him instead of them.
Also it made me mad when Khiry didn’t sprint for his life to try to get to the end of Tzionis’ cross right in front of goal. Like I know Khiry has a lifetime contract so he doesn’t care, but Tzionis really could have used that assist on his rare starting appearance.
While I questioned bringing Zusi on, he certainly played well and had a great assist. I think the substitutions were well-timed and appropriate today. I was glad to see Pulido come on and just have Shelton run around a bit