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SKC draw with RSL, Russell scores in return

On a night to honor Matt Besler, Sporting KC and Real Salt Lake prove the rivalry is still alive after fighting to an ugly 1-1 draw.

Published

6 months ago

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Credit: Thad Bell

On a night spent celebrating Matt Besler, it was fitting Sporting KC were facing his old rival RSL. Apparently, not much has changed in that regard.

The two sides clawed out a 1-1 draw at Children’s Mercy Park complete with controversy, almost fights, and a total of nine cards shown. Erik Thommy had the equalizer for SKC in the second half. Johnny Russell scored the opener in his return to KC, while sporting a new pony tail.

We all do weird things to get over a breakup, you know?

Before the goal from Russell, it was a fairly quiet first half. Sporting KC amassed an xG of just 0.38 on five total shots in the first 45 minutes. Santiago Muñoz had a fantastic turn-and-shot parried away by Rafael Cabral, but the loudest the crowd got was after some very questionable calls from the center referee Ismir Pekmic.

But it was dead silent in Children’s Mercy Park after JFR put RSL ahead with a diving header. Being the gentleman he is, Johnny didn’t celebrate. But that doesn’t make it hurt any less…

Halftime was a chance for the home side regroup and make some changes. Tim Leibold and Daniel Salloi, who were both on yellow cards, were replaced by Logan Ndenbe and Shapi Suleymanov.

Kerry Zavagnin has proven capable of adapting during a match and scratching back for a result. The second half on Saturday night was the same story. Sporting KC were instantly on the front foot and they doubled their xG in the first six minutes.

The breakthrough would eventually come in the 59th minute off the boot of Erik Thommy. This lifted the crowd and the chase was on for the winner.

A bit of a commotion arose in the 70th when Zavier Gozo clearly kicked out at Jake Davis, bringing him down with his studs. Inexplicably, he was only shown a yellow card and allowed to remain on the field. It was just a few minutes later Jake Davis was then sent off with a (soft) second yellow.

All that momentum was gone.

It took some desperate defending, including a fantastic goal line clearance from Jansen Miller. Moreover, the 17-year-old Ian James performed admirably in his first career start. Thanks to the two exciting young centerbacks, Sporting were able to reach the final whistle with the score in tact. It’s a frustrating point, but it does keep KC ahead of RSL for the time being.

Next up is a trip to Colorado to face the Rapids on the Fourth of July.

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MathTeach1977

Start to finish, one of the worst refereed games I have ever seen. Why have VAR if they aren’t ever going to have the referee look at a questionable call? Ridiculous

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Stu

It’s wild how the MLS for years ignores how terrible the reffing is in almost every game each week

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