Children's Mercy Park | Sporting Kansas City
Children's Mercy Park | Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City lost 2-1 to Real Salt Lake in a Major League Soccer Western Conference match on Saturday at America First Field. The defeat marks Sporting’s fourth consecutive road loss and extends their streak of conceding multiple goals to seven straight regular season matches, the first time this has occurred since 1999.
John Pulskamp, Sporting’s goalkeeper, made five saves during the match. His efforts included an early stop against Victor Olatunji in the 13th minute and a diving save from Braian Ojeda in the 36th minute. Despite his performance, Real Salt Lake broke through just before halftime when Diego Luna scored his ninth goal of the season after returning from international duty with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Early in the second half, Pulskamp denied Zavier Gozo’s close-range header. However, Gozo soon contributed with an assist for Alexandros Katranis, who scored Real Salt Lake’s second goal in the 62nd minute.
After falling behind by two goals, Sporting Kansas City brought on Mason Toye and Erik Thommy as substitutes. Thommy tested Real Salt Lake captain Rafael Cabral with a long-distance shot shortly after entering.
Sporting cut into the lead in the 71st minute following a sequence that ended with RSL defender Brayan Vera scoring an own goal—Sporting’s fourth own-goal beneficiary of the season—after pressure from Daniel Salloi and Dejan Joveljic.
Sporting continued to seek an equalizer late in the game. Cabral stopped Joveljic twice in quick succession in the 74th minute. One minute later, Thommy’s free kick narrowly missed its target. In the 80th minute, Alan Montes shot over the crossbar after connecting with a header from Joveljic.
The announced attendance was 20,172 under mostly sunny skies and temperatures near 69 degrees.
Next up for Sporting Kansas City is a home fixture against Thomas Muller and Vancouver Whitecaps FC on September 20 at Children’s Mercy Park. Tickets are available via SeatGeek and include options for Hispanic Heritage Night ticket packs featuring discounted tickets, a limited-edition t-shirt, and beverage choices.
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