Sporting KC controversially draws DC United 1-1

Ike Opara should've had his first MLS goal and Sporting Kansas City should have won. At least that's based on the assumption that everything that happened after Ike Opara's blown offsides call that disallowed his goal still happened.

Regardless, Sporting Kansas City was not able to get another goal to ensure a victory and settled for a draw with DC United 1-1.

The chance for Opara's first MLS goal came in the 30th minute. Jacob Peterson tried a through ball in the box and found the foot of Opara waiting near the far post, where he tapped it in for the apparent goal. The assistant referee, however, thought otherwise and raised his flag to call offsides on Opara. Opara was was shocked, as well as many other people including the DC United commentary team, who you'll hear in the highlight video below.

Ike Opara, however, was a crucial part of the actual goal scored by Sporting Kansas City. In the 60th minute, a corner kick by Graham Zusi curled its way into the box and found the back of the head of United defender Ethan White, which propelled the ball into the net. Opara's physicality in going up for the ball knocked White into the way of the ball, which gave Sporting a 1-0 lead. So even if Opara didn't get the goal, he can take solace in the fact that he was a big part of the actual goal.

The lead, however, didn't last for long. Chris Pontius crossed a ball and found Kyle Porter streaking inside the box next to the far post. Porter tapped it in past Nielsen to the near post and tied the match at 1-1. It was Porter's first MLS goal.

Sporting had a couple of chances late in the match and, given the recent history of Sporting beating United late, they seemed ripe for another goal opportunity. However they were not able to put a goal behind Bill Hamid's line and they ended up with a final score of 1-1.

DC United snapped their seven-match losing streak and gained a point for the first time since March 16th. They still sit in last in the Eastern Conference, two points behind Chicago. Next week they host Portland in an effort to climb out of the Eastern Conference basement.

Sporting Kansas City still sits in second in the Eastern Conference, but fell three points behind New York with their win over Los Angeles earlier in the day. They also sit only one point ahead of Houston and Houston has a game in hand against Sporting. Sporting will have a chance to prove themselves against the Dynamo once again next Sunday as they host Houston at Sporting Park at 2:30.