Sporting KC falls at home to Chicago Fire

Sporting Kansas City squandered another home match with a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Fire FC. After a scoreless first half, Chicago’s Fabian Herbers staked the visitors to the lead in the 47th minute.

Both teams came off a midweek match and had the same travel so should have an equal level of tired legs. Sporting KC had a tough 2-2 draw at the Galaxy while the Fire had a strong 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers when former SKC forward Kei Kamara scored late.

The lineup was as close to a first choice as Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes could field with the players hurt and Dany Rosero out on a yellow card accumulation.

It was another match where Sporting KC owned possession, passes, and most other stats except for shots. Chicago had 12 shots with a .8 XG while SKC had 13 and .9 XG. Sporting KC’s best scoring chance by XG was Daniel Salloi’s attempt in the 51st minute.

Chicago’s goal started with a throw-in that Brian Gutiérrez dribbled straight down the middle of SKC’s defense before sliding it to his left for Jairo Torres. With Kendall McIntosh protecting the near post, Torres slid the ball across SKC’s six-yard box. The ball bounced off of Andreu Fontas and back into the middle of the box where Fabian Herbers was all alone. Herbers had time to take a touch but one-timed it into the net.

Fabian Herbers kicking off the second half with a bang!

1-0 for Chicago. pic.twitter.com/szSin5oVUc

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 25, 2023

Overall a disappointing result for Kansas City. After an abysmal start to the season, Sporting KC had rounded into form and was playing well through May and early June but are again struggling to get points when the opportunity is there for the taking.

Next up for Sporting KC is the Vancouver Whitecaps on July 1st at Children’s Mercy Park.