Sporting KC falls in the rain at DC United

Injuries, the storyline of the last few weeks has been injuries. With 10 players unavailable because of various ailments and two at the U17 CONCACAF Championship, Sporting Kansas City was unable to field a full 18 for the game day roster again this week.

Despite all of the injuries to starters and backups alike, Sporting Kansas City had their chances to take points but did not make the most of them. Both Daniel Salloi and Krisztian Nemeth had good opportunities in the box with no defenders and shot wide of goal.

Sporting KC’s defense has been porous the last few games but held strong through most of the match. Tim Melia came up big on several saves and other than a few set pieces did not allow DC United many opportunities until late in the game.

After a foul that SKC felt should have went the other way, DC United quickly played the ball to Wayne Rooney who then fed Paul Arriola in the 78th minute. SKC’s right back Nicolas Hasler had appeared to be struggling with a sore back since the first half. He was unable to cut back with Arriola who shot around him, over Botond Barath and curled the ball just out of reach of a diving Melia for the lone goal of the game.

With limited options on the bench, manager Peter Vermes had brought on Yohan Croziet for Daniel Salloi in the 65^th minute and Kelyn Rowe for Felipe Gutierrez in the 85^th but neither sub could help their team find the back of the net.

While Sporting KC returns home with zero points and will have to take solace in the fact they played a better all around game versus one of the league leaders before as they retrun home to face the Vancouver Whitecaps FC next Saturday.