Lackluster match for Sporting KC in 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake

Lackluster performance might be one of the nicer ways to describe the overall performance by Sporting Kansas City. Two first half goals were all Real Salt Lake needed to take a relatively easy win over the visitors.

For Sporting KC, there were hopes that they could continue getting league results on the road after drawing twice and winning their last road game in the month of June. Manager Peter Vermes kept most of the lineup that started in Columbus, the only changes being Nicolas Hasler in for Graham Zusi and Gedion Zelalem in for Benny Feilhaber.

In the 15th minute RSL took the lead when Sporting KC could not clear a corner kick. Damir Kreilach knocked the ball back across to Kyle Beckerman who headed it the back post for Sam Johnson and an easy goal. SKC did not come close to the ball during that play with Zelalem the closest to Johnson.

Salt Lake doubled the lead when a bad giveaway in typically reliable Matt Besler allowed a pass to slip past him and could not recover in time. Besler tried to slide to knock the ball to safety but RSL’s Albert Rusnák was able to get their first and the break was on, giving RSL a 3 on 1, then 4 on 1 break with only Botand Barath back to help Tim Melia. Rusnak slid the ball across the box where Kreilach and Johnson were ready. Johnson put the ball in the net and Sporting KC was unable to respond.

Sporting KC return home to face LAFC on Wednesday night.