The Starting 11:
John Pulskamp, Andreu Fontàs
, Kortne Ford
Logan Ndenbe, Ben Sweat
Felipe Hernàndez, Oriol Rosell
Rémi Walter, Dániel Sallói
Cameron Duke, Johnny Russell
By Alan Smith
During Sporting Kansas City’s much needed 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo, captain Johnny Russell stood out as a leader to a depleted Sporting KC side. The round of 16 continued as Houston, who came off a big win against the LA galaxy, came into town with some momentum. Sporting, on the other hand, have had major struggles this season and need something to ignite a fire within them. The Open Cup is the perfect place to start.
The first half opened up as usual in a game where players are missing and schedules are congested. Back and forth defending and clearing and a couple of yellow cards by both teams. ( SKC: Rosell 29’ pulling shirt) and
(HOU: Cerén 18’ bad tackle)
Momentum shifted in the Dynamo’s favor as Darwin Quintero made a great through pass to Corey Baird who slotted it past John Pulskamp. Tired legs, and down a goal Sporting needed to come out with energy and emotion in the 2nd half to pull a result.
To start the 2nd half, Roger Espinoza replaces Rosell and Khiry Shelton replaced Ben Sweat. A few shots were here and there from Sporting as they seemed to get on the right foot and attacked with purpose but with no prevail. Then, in the 52nd minute Johnny Russell falls outside the penalty area with the ball, picks himself up, dribbles 10 yards and shoots a rocket to the bottom left corner to knot the game up 1-1.
Attacking and attacking Sporting have come out on fire and in control with Russell and Shelton barely missing their target. (61’, 66’) There is one man who has been working this entire game to get his foul, Daniel Salloi, who ran charged to attack in the penalty area gets chopped down and gets awarded a penalty kick (71’ Steres)
Johnny Russell gets handed the ball and slots it in the bottom right corner in usual fashion to push Sporting ahead by a goal.
The rest of the game plays out as such, with the Dynamo getting some offense in, and even with Ford getting a yellow card in the 89’ along with a Dynamo free kick. After Pícault had a horrible bicycle shot that just about sealed it up on this Open Cup Round of 16 Match In Kansas City.
Sporting next play the Vancouver Whitecaps in Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park.
5/28 8:00 PM CT