Sporting Kansas City continue to sit on top of the MLS western conference with their 1-0 win over Toronto FC Sunday evening. The two clubs were evenly matched and it looked like it was destined to be a 0-0 draw unless someone made a very dangerous mistake. That wasn’t the case for Sporting’s game-winning goal from Brad Davis.
Both teams had strong midfields and creating goal scoring opportunities was an equal challenged for the majority of the game. Nuno Coelho and Matt Besler make an excellent center back pair and with Soni Mustivar in front of them, they were able to stop Sebastian Giovinco from getting the space he needs to create his MVP-winning chances. Jordi Quintilla and Roger Espinoza were picking pockets left and right.
Espinoza seemed to play every position. He controlled the midfield for SKC up until his 84th-minute red card for a late challenge on TFC’s Marky Delgado. When asked about his performance after the game, manager Peter Vermes said, “Unfortunately, and I haven’t seen the play so I can’t really comment on it, but I can say that Roger gives everything in the game. I don’t think he is a malicious guy, but I think he gives everything in the game.” Vermes also praised Espinoza’s hard work to get back into the MLS season groove. After spending a lot of time injured last season, he’s determined to run the midfield. Red card or not, Espinoza had a magical game and will continue to when he’s available again.
This red card means Espinoza will be unavailable against Real Salt Lake in two weeks, meaning Sporting will have to change their winning lineup for the first time this season. When asked about the challenge Espinoza said,
“I was trying to win the ball back. It was so quick so I’m not entirely sure what happened. The reason I didn’t argue is because I didn’t want my teammates to lose concentration on the game. Everybody was locked in. I just walked out to make sure everybody was calm and ready to win the game.”
Chance Myers is in a similar situation to Espinoza, minus the suspension. He had also struggled with an injury last year, and after the full preseason to work on fitness, has been finding his form. “Since he started this year, you can see each game…he’s finding himself again,” Vermes said. Myers made several overlapping runs and had great link ups with Quintilla on the right side, as well as with Dom Dwyer in the center.
Even with all the work done by SKC in the middle, Toronto were organized and disciplined in defense. SKC needed a spark of creativity to get three points and the second half substitution of Davis for Connor Hallisey did just that. Davis is strong and skilled off his left foot and those skills were showcased when he won the battle against Justin Morrow and cut inside in front of goal. His shot went right past the TFC defense and beat Clint Irwin at the far post.
Vermes said to expect Davis to single-handedly earn SKC at least another four points this season. He’s really fitting in at the club, especially with Graham Zusi to the left of him. “They find each other when they’re cutting in. The other one’s running and they can find their guy over the top with their good foot and they’re pinpoint accurate with that…It’s a weapon that we have for sure,” Vermes said of the pair afterward.
Dwyer got a look at goal himself late into the second half, but couldn’t keep the ball down and sent it into the stands. It was a great ball in from Myers’ run down the right side and even though the finish was off this time, expect it to be more successful in the future.
Jozy Altidore made his season debut for Toronto in the 77th minute and TFC’s gameplan turned to making him a target for long balls over the top. Altidore did create some danger, but SKC’s back line and Tim Melia were composed and easily dealt with it.
Toronto turned up the pressure after gaining a man advantage, but SKC battled to keep a clean sheet. Sporting now have their first 3-0-0 season start since 2012.
Main Photo: Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
