Dom takes two bites of the apple

In a match up of second place teams that were both facing schedule congestion, the visiting New York Red Bulls went with a different strategy than Sporting Kansas City. The Red Bulls rested several starters in the hope they could get a result and if not sub some of them on in the second half. SKC manager Peter Vermes likes consistency and went with the same starters. Perhaps the next match at expansion side Minnesota played into the decision.

Whatever lead to the lineup choices, Sporting KC enjoyed a first half dominating the stats but went into the locker room with nothing to show for it.

Sporting Kansas City came out of the half ready and broke through quickly. Graham Zusi took a shot that was blocked. Benny Feilhaber picked up the bouncing ball and launched another shot in that New York’s Luis Robles was able to knock down.

Sporting KC forward Dom Dwyer was waiting to pounce on the loose ball in the box and volleyed it past the helpless Robles from close range in the 46th minute.

New York began subbing on reinforcements but it was not turning the tide in their favor. Instead, Dwyer struck again. In the 68th minute Dwyer slammed home Feilhaber’s cross that skimmed in off the crossbar.

For a traditionally left-footed player, and we mean a very left-footed Dom, that is now three straight goal with his right foot.

The victory propels Sporting Kansas City into first in the Western Conference.

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports