Thrown to the Lions: Sporting KC falls to Orlando City 3-1

Both teams came into the match with questionable form and desperately needing points. But Orlando City was ready to go from the whistle, while Sporting KC never really seemed to wake up.

The Lions were all over SKC in the opening stages. Mustivar was called for a foul and set up the first chance of the game in the 3'. Luke Boden sent in a curling ball to the back post and found a wide open Adrian Winter, who headed it home. Peterson lost his man on the play, but there were 3 or 4 purple shirts in an offside position and the flag probably should have been raised.

The lead was almost doubled in the 5' as Larin and Winter combined this time. Jon Kempin misplayed the cross but Neal couldn't finish from inside the 6 yard box.

After weathering a storm, things calmed down a bit. Sporting KC won a corner kick in the 17' and Zusi sent in a great ball right at the penalty spot. Dwyer was able to get a good head on it but he fired it just over the crossbar.

The visitors finally settled into the game and were able to keep possession in the attacking half. They pressed Orlando City enough for a couple set pieces, but Sporting KC was really lacking their bite in this game. The best chance to equalize in the half came in the 37' as Nemeth found some space on the wing. He took a touch at the corner of the box to set himself up and let fire. The ball took a nasty deflection and bounced inches wide of the far post.

Orlando City again jumped Sporting KC as the second half began. In the 50' Zusi had a bad giveaway that Cyle Larin snatched up and took into the box. He looked a little too relaxed and chipped a curler over the bar. The lead again should have been doubled in the 55' as Jon Kempin was able to get his fingers on a shot from point blank range and tip it over the bar.

But thennagainst the run of play, Krisztian Nemeth would find the breakthrough for KC. Nemeth had been by far the most dangerous player in blue and was finally rewarded. He muscled his way into the box and absolutely drilled a shot into the upper 90 to tie the match at 1-1.

Sporting KC almost scored again just a minute later as the ball fell for Dwyer right in front of the goal. He was able to direct it on goal, but it was deflected and grabbed off the line by Tally Hall.

The match really opened up and both teams were exchanging chances. Brek Shea was subbed on for Carlos Rivas in the 61' and didn't take long to get involved. In the 66' he was put in on goal and wanted to shoot. But he laid it off to Bryan Rochez for an easy finish and lead lead.

Orlando's lead would be extended to 3-1 in the 72'. Kevin Ellis did well to track back and win possession, but he took a terrible touch in the box to give it right back. A quick give-and-go and Adrian Winter poked home his second goal of the night.

Sporting KC was really unable to threaten much after falling behind a second goal. It turned into a really bad night in the 87' when Dom  Dwyer received a red card for off the ball activities. There were no hands to the face, but were two bumps and the second sent Matoes to the turf pretty hard.

There were just too many mistakes and bad giveaways to pull out a result on the road. The loss wraps up a 4 game road swing for KC. A very important stretch that resulted in just 1 point.

The bad form is troubling with such a difficult and busy schedule for Sporting KC as they wrap up the season. FC Dallas comes to Sporting Park on Friday night for another big Western Conference clash.