Defense United: Sporting KC 1-0 DC United

Sporting Kansas City came into the fifth week match-up as the highest scoring team in MLS. They were also leaking goals at nearly the same rate. A porous defense was never going to last under a Peter Vermes coached team.

DC United came into the match just trying to survive until they can open a stadium, Felipe Gutierrez was not the kind host. Sporting KC was all over the visitors from the kick-off and it paid off in the 4^th minute. Gutierrez attempted to cross the ball across the DC United box when the ball deflected off the defender and past a helpless David Ousted.

SKC dominated possession throughout the match (62%) and generated 22 shots throughout the match but could not find the back of the net again. Numerous chances came close, Khiry Shelton had chances, Johnny Russell had chances, Gutierrez had chances but the match finished 1-0.

The biggest concern for Sporting KC from the match was the substitution of Gutierrez in the 53rd minute. There was no immediately apparent injury to Gutierrez but he went to ground and Vermes sent in Yohan Croizet.

A lot of people have wanted to see Croizet get a chance in the middle and they finally got their wish, although likely not in the way they had hoped.

Vermes brought in Gerso Ferandes for Salloi in the 77th. Salloi had returned from playing for Hungary earlier in the week.

Sporting KC are now 3-1-1 and have 10 points. Tied atop the Western conference with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Most complete performance

For Sporting KC, it was the most complete performance of the season, better decisions, less mistakes. “It was our most complete performance, not a perfect performance but our most complete, “Tim Melia told media after the match.