When is a loss not a loss in MLS? Pretty much never, as Sporting Kansas City has to come to grips with quickly. They didn’t get blown out at Providence Park even though they lost 3-0. The game didn’t even hinge on the red cards that had both teams playing with 10 men by halftime. In fairness, to both teams, it may not even have been that classic soccer trope of one team being unlucky. the shots were certainly there. Kansas City even took a few of them.
Still, there are only so many times that the ball can be following a clear path towards the back of the net only to reroute. So many times when that goal shoulda coulda woulda happened. Sporting, certainly more than Portland, had more of those moments on Sunday.
“The game wasn’t a 3-0 game,” Sporting coach Peter Vermes said. “Look, obviously they finished a couple chances there at the end of the game. What I would say is that we actually played better when we were 11 versus 11, than when we went up a man. We got too direct, which I thought let [Portland] off the hook too many times. I would say all three goals come from major mistakes on our part. That’s the way I look at it. I don’t mean the final shot on goal or whatever. How the plays occurred, just because of poor decisions on our part.”
So Sporting KC splits a home-and-home series with the defending champions. They won 1-0 at Children’s Mercy Stadium and lost 3-0 at Providence Park. IT’s easy enough to shake off a bad night. Sporting has more than enough opportunities this month to show that they can put together a performance without squandering chances. Blame the referees. Blame the schedule. Move on. Otherwise, they can find themselves laving a lot more than three points at Providence Park.
In Monday’s soccer news, MLSsoccer.com’s Matthew Doyle has his look at week 22. Sigi Schmid talks to FourFourTwo’s Scott French about what happened with Seattle. The Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan compares MLS attendance to the Canadian Football League’s. The Jacksonville Armada part ways with Tony Meola.
When Saturday Comes’ Alex Anderson makes the case for club friendlies without the hype.
I could not be prouder of this team. This will make us stronger and we won’t back down. Love this team, love this club!! #RBNY
— Jesse Marsch (@jessemarsch) August 8, 2016
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