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So once again Sporting Kansas City settled for a draw at home, the second straight of the season, going nil-nil to the Portland Timbers.
Portland fielded a somewhat defensive side, starting Liam Ridgewell, Alvas Powell, Jack Jewsbury (yay Jack Jewsbury!), Nat Borchers and Jorge Villafana, and people always argue that folks bunker when they come to Sporting Park, but, while we saw SKCs defense put in a good shift, Sporting failed to convert chances when they had them and Dom dwyer often seemed somewhat stranded up top.
No panic mode from me yet, I think Matt Besler looked sharper in this match, Ike Opara is looking great, but going into this season I thought we may be going less defensive in favor of more offensive fireworks, and so far I'm not sure that has happened. Chance Myers a bigger loss than anticipated? Does Dom Dwyer need a true strike partner? I'm not really sure I've got answers, and it's still quite early in the season, but two goals from three games, both at home, has me hoping for better.
At any rate, here's some player ratings. Ike Opara get's my man of the match nod, though high marks for the defending sides of both teams and low marks for attackers says a lot about the game. Some good defensive work, for sure, but, at least for Sporting, finishing needs to improve (has this been said in years past? I feel like this has been said in years past...)
Actually, maybe a game late, but I did like to see Roger Espinoza shooting, and shoring, from outside the box. I think that's something that could really help us in coming matches. Making the defense take an extra strep up to potentially shut down the long shot would go a long way in freeing up the wings for a lobbed cross...
But, yes, ratings. Yes. Here.
| PTFC | |
| Adam Kwarasey | 6.5 |
| Liam Ridgewell | 6 |
| Alvas Powell | 6.5 |
| Jack Jewsbury | 6 |
| Nat Borchers | 6 |
| Jorge Villafana | 6 |
| Jeanderon Perira | 4 |
| Darlington Nagbe | 4.5 |
| Rodney Wallace | 5 |
| Dairon Asprilla | 4.5 |
| Diego Chara | 4.5 |
| Gaston Fernandez | 4 |
| Fanendo Adi | 4 |
| Maximiliano Urruti | 4 |
| Sporting Kansas City | |
| Luis Marin | 6.5 |
| Ike Opara | 7 |
| Marcel de Jong | 6.5 |
| Matt Besler | 6.5 |
| Jalil Anibaba | 6 |
| Benny Feilhaber | 4.5 |
| Roger Espinoza | 5 |
| Graham Zusi | 5.5 |
| Paulo Nagamura | 4.5 |
| Bernardo Anor | 4 |
| Jimmy Medranda | 4 |
| Sevando Carrasco | 4 |
| Soni Mustivar | 4 |
| Dom Dwyer | 4 |
As I said, MotM to Opara. Love to see him coming back strong. Another good outing from Marin as well. So I'd say an improved outing (I'll always take a clean sheet and 0-0 over a 1-1), but averaging less than a goal a game isn't going to cut it in the Western conference... Still, early season and a lot left to play for.