Sporting Kansas City’s PK disaster class

An expected success rate of 77 percent.

A stadium filled with anticipation, or dread. The detonation, or the dagger.

A chance for glory for two. Who though?

It’s definite pressure. It’s the penalty kick.

Wayward… Awkward

Speaking of PKs, #SportingKC's last 4 PK attempts in game action (aka not in shootouts) across all competitions have been saved/missed, including all 3 this year.

— Mike (@downthebyline) August 28, 2024

One was at the very end of a 2-0 victory, taken by a DP striker.

Two were in matches where Sporting dropped points, three to five valuable points that could have them in the race for the 2024 MLS playoffs. Wayward.

And awkward, but not as awkward as the feeling a PK taker trudges off with after failing to score.

PKs matter. Let’s look at what matters when one takes a penalty kick by breaking down William Agada, Johnny Russell, and Alan Pulido’s attempts this season. Masterclass? Nope, disaster class.

William Agada, April 7 v Portland Timbers

Then “Willy” Agada has a brace three minutes into 1^st half stoppage time, and Sporting holds a 3-0 advantage. Fast forward to the 61^st minute when Erik Thommy draws a PK for Kansas City.

It’s time for Agada to complete the hat trick. So, pressure, but not so much in a 3-0 sure-victory blowout. It’s a lot about fun at this point, especially for the cheerful Agada. Right?

No matter Agada’s mindset at the moment, it is Agada v Maxime Crepeau, the Timbers’ [and the Canadian National Team] goalkeeper.

The right-foot-dominant Agada chooses a run up of about four steps, five yards back from the spot. Agada’s other choice is a stutter step approach. The idea is to see which way the goalkeeper is leaning or to mislead the goalkeeper in your intentions.

But that’s the thing about the long approach: it often gives away your intentions. Agada’s body is framed to the right as he approaches the ball. Crepeau leans the opposite way, hedging that Agada is all about deception instead of finality.

By the time Agada slows his momentum for the stutter step, he has already dipped his right shoulder somewhat dramatically – another tipoff for Crepeau. (Try striking a ball well with your right foot anywhere but across your body with your right shoulder dipped. I’ll wait…)

The color commentator on AppleTV’s broadcast states, “[Agada] saw Crepeau going to his right, the side [Agada] had already chosen to go.”

Thus, Agada is even more influenced by Crepeau’s movement and his heavily dropped shoulder exaggerates Agada’s hip/leg pull to the left and the shot goes well wide.

A 3-0 lead ends in a 3-3 draw. It’s not all on Agada, but the story could have had a happier ending for all.

Johnny Russell, June 19 v Real Salt Lake

It is just past midseason and Sporting is trying to stay in the Western Conference playoff picture. Down 1-0 in the 20^th minute, Thommy gains another penalty kick for Kansas City. Captain Johnny Russell grabs the ball. The pressure is heightened for his struggling side. Russell has been here before.

Credit: Apple TV

The left-footed winger begins his approach a step outside the box, seven yards from the spot. Russell keeps his shoulders mostly square as he angles in from the right. No hints for RSL goalkeeper Gavin Beavers. However, Russell leans his right leg inward as he plants, turning his foot towards the right side of the goal. Tipoff. Beavers, who moves slightly early, reads, even as Russell continues his gaze towards the left side of goal.

The shot has strong pace, but is a good yard inside Beavers’ left post. Save. Sporting goes on to lose 4-3, a painful drop of two or possibly three points for a team that needs all the points it can get.

Alan Pulido, August 27 v Indy Eleven

Sporting Kansas City is up 2-0 in 2^nd half four minutes into five of added time versus USL Championship side Indy Eleven, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Cinderella’s for 2024. Sporting is onto the final for sure. Yet, Agada draws a penalty for Kansas City. Designated player Alan Pulido takes the kick.

Random stat for you from last night, Alan Pulido made his first 7 PK attempts across all competitions for KC. Since, he's had his last 3 attempts all saved. #SportingKC

— Mike (@downthebyline) August 28, 2024

The in-match pressure is slim for Pulido. But the pressure within himself may be heightened after his struggles to find the net this season.

Credit: Apple TV

The right-footed Pulido takes a short approach from the left as he takes four mini-steps to the ball.  With a brief stutter-step and a peak at the ‘keeper, Pulido’s run up is the most nonchalant of the three. Dropping his right shoulder as he strikes, Pulido’s shot has good pace and is place similarly to Russell’s attempt. Yet, lanky Indy Eleven goalkeeper Hunter Sulte is able to get down to his right to stop the shot.

Related: How does Alan Pulido fit into Sporting KC’s rebuild? – KC Soccer Journal

It’s all too much

A long approach often helps only the goalkeeper as it can reveal the shooter’s intentions, enhancing shoulder drops and leg leanings. The stutter-step not only slows a shooter’s momentum, it is focused on impacting the goalkeeper’s thought instead of the shooter staying locked in on the task. The angled approach is a somewhat obvious attempt at deception – looks like you are shooting in the direction of your approach but are trying to disguise a cross-body intention.

It’s all too much.

Simplicity and only self-concern is the answer for penalty kick takers. A one-step, straight-on approach is a hard read, while maintaining any necessary power and all spot options for the shooter. Why worry about what the goalkeeper is doing? Make your choice before the kick, tune out distractions while you visualize success, and do it. Easier said than done? Sure. But the simplicity also works to defeat the sure pressure.

Heroism  

The penalty kick is a .77 xG situation. If the goalkeeper saves the shot, it’s a heroic performance. If the shot taker converts the opportunity, it’s a heroic performance. For each to succeed, the pressure should be on the other in his or her own mind.

No matter which one you are, the moment is critical. Thus, it is critical to keep it simple.

Postscript

Maybe Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia – the most successful PK stopper in recent MLS history – should coach penalty takers. Can’t hurt.