US Open Cup 3rd Round: Sporting Kansas City down Des Moines Menace 2-0

Sporting Kansas City started their 2013 US Open Cup campaign on a high note as they took care of the Des Moines Menace 2-0.

Sporting had two great scoring opportunities early but it took until the third chance that they were able to finish. Chance Myers received a ball after a corner kick was passed to Benny Feilhaber. Myers then crossed it across the box and found a waiting Kei Kamara who tapped it in for the score. Sporting lead 1-0 in the twelfth minute. Sporting would continue to dominate the attacking half but were unable to score as they took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

In the second half some of the domination wore off. Des Moines held more possession and even had a couple of close chances to equalize. Peter Vermes wanted to extend the lead so he brought in a finisher to add some insurance goals. Claudio Bieler subbed in for Kei Kamara in the 70^th minute and made an impact pretty quickly. Jacob Peterson put a cross across the face of goal and the striker was there to finish it to put Sporting KC up 2-0.

Sporting had another great chance in the 78^th minute as they rain started to fall harder. They hit the crossbar twice on two separate volleys which lead to a collision in the box. Menace keeper Scott Angevine was knocked down momentarily but he got up quickly.

The Menace played well in the last ten minutes and even had a near-goal that was called offside but the result held and Sporting Kansas City won 2-0, advancing to the fourth round of the 2013 US Open Cup.

Menace keeper Scott Angevine, who graduated from Blue Valley Northwest and was signed with Sporting Kansas City last year, had great things to say about playing against his hometown team.

"I love these fans here," he said. "I honestly believe Sporting has one of the best, if not the best, fan bases in the league."

He was also surprised he didn't get heckled more by the Cauldron.

"They love their team and you find out just how much they love their team by how much they hate you."

Sporting head coach Peter Vermes praised the Menace's effort and his team's performance but was not able to answer the question regarding the loanees to Orlando City, who Sporting will play next. He said that it will be a decision the league will be involved in and that they do not currently know.

Speaking of which, Sporting Kansas City will host Orlando City Soccer Club on June 12th in the fourth round of the US Open Cup. Orlando defeated Colorado 3-1 off of 2 goals from Sporting KC loanee Dom Dwyer. It will be the second year in a row that Sporting hosts Orlando City.