Monterrey runs past Sporting KC 5-0

Sporting Kansas City started with decent possession and movement but it did not take long for Monterrey’s pressure and speed to create opportunities. In the 7^th minute Monterrey forward Rogelio Funes Mori split Sporting KC defenders Matt Besler and Seth Sinovic to find Dorian Pabon. Tim Melia came out to cut the angle but Pabon slid it inside the backpost for the opening goal.

The Rayados doubled the lead in the 14^th minute when despite making a pair of saves, Avilés Hurtado was able to slam the ball past Tim Melia from point blank range.

Most of the rest of the first half settled into Sporting KC possessing the ball but struggling to break down the Monterrey defense.

An odd moment at the end of the first half came when Sporting KC finally broke Gerso Fernandes free. The speedy winger crossed the ball into the box where a defender slid into Monterrey keeper Marcelo Barovero. SKC had possession but the referee blew the whistle to stop play with the keeper down. The ref then ended the half without allowing SKC to have a chance on a restart.

The second half was not much better with a goal from Jesus Gallardo in the 55^th and a successful penalty by Nicolas Sanchez in the 70^th minute. Pabon added another when a weak pass was taken advantage of the Monterrey fast break went into effect again.

Sporting Kansas City return play FC Cincinnati on Sunday and then face Monterrey again next Thursday when they will try to duplicate the scoreline they had against Montreal.

Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images