Variations on a theme, SKC drops lead late to tie Toronto

Sporting Kansas City had the opportunity to take their first win on the road. A 2-1 lead in stoppage time evaporated in the 93rd minute when Jordan Hamilton found the back of the net.

Both goals for Sporting KC came from Felipe Gutierrez scoring penalty kicks. The visitors initially took the lead when Toronto FC defender Drew Moor fouled Gerso Fernandes on the edge of the box. Referee Fotis

Bazakos initially called for a free kick from just outside the box but the VAR official recommended a review.

Bazakos returned and pointed to the spot. Gutierrez had the ball in his hands waiting for the call and did not hesitate. He showed right but went left and rolled it past Quentin Westberg as he went the other way in the 25^th.

With a lead and Sporting KC holding the edge in possession, it was still not easy for SKC’s keeper. Tim Melia was called into action to block several attempts, primarily from set pieces and corners.

Toronto leveled it shortly before half when Nick DeLeon slid behind the defense as Justin Morrow threaded a pass through the box to his team mate for the easy goal in the 43^rd.

The second half was similar to the first, the injury and international call-up depleted SKC players attempted to play their style of possession but was not generating many dangerous opportunities.

Midway through the half that changed a bit as Yohan Croizet playing as a false nine received a ball and played a nice ball through into the box for Gutierrez but he was ran into by a combination of the Toronto defender and Westberg.

Gutierrez went down hard and the play went back up the field. When the next stoppage occurred, the VAR official again recommended the referee take a look. It took a little longer on this review but Bazakos returned and again pointed to the spot. His second VAR-assisted penalty call of the game.

This time the Chilean midfielder pounded the ball to the other side and higher up but with the same result of giving Sporting KC the lead.

SKC appeared to be doing a little better at closing out the game than they have in the last couple weeks. Croizet did not easily give the ball way or try near-impossible attempts on goal that gave the ball right back. Gianuca Busio came in for a Gerso and played wiser than his years by taking the ball up field and not losing it easily, forcing TFC to commit a foul.

Unfortunately for a side that badly needs points, the better effort at closing out the game did not last. Entering the fifth minute of the six minutes of stoppage, too manty SKC players stepped to the ball without making a play on, leaving a handful of Toronto attackers running to goal.

Ryan Telfer slides the ball past Ilie Sanchez to an unmarked Jordan Hamilton for an easy touch into the net.

Sporting Kansas City is still winless on the road, sitting in 10^th spot with 16 points after 15 games.