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CJ Sapong's goal in the 20th minute would be the deciding factor in Sporting KC's opening preseason win against FC Tucson.
The story of the day, seeing as the rules were bent to allow as many subs as teams wanted, was the position of Claudio Bieler. Bieler started in a center attacking midfield role, playing as a withdrawn forward behind Dom Dwyer. It's hard to form any analysis after one half of a preseason game, but it may give us some insight into what Vermes would do if both Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber are called up to the US National Team later this summer. Bieler did end up assisting Sapong on the goal.
Other storylines coming out of this game are the debuts of the 2014 MLS Superdraft picks. Peter Schmetz and Reinaldo Brenes started the second half with Adnan Gabeljic replacing Brenes in the 65th minute. Alex Martinez came in to the match in the 72nd minute with some other trialists vying for the last roster spot.
Our final takeaway from the match was no surprise as Eric Kronberg started the first half in goal. Gruenebaum would come in and play the second half but it looks like Vermes is grooming Kronberg to be the starter come opening day. As said before, this is no surprise given Vermes' comments following the Kronberg contract extension.
Sporting Kansas City has two more matches in Arizona over the next couple of weeks. They take on the Portland Timbers this Saturday at 7 pm at the Kino Sports Complex before finishing up their Arizona swing with a February 7th match against Indy Eleven in Casa Grande, Arizona.
