/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67280744/usa_today_14795968.0.jpg)
We realize there are thousands and thousands of Tweets sent during a typical soccer game and that many of The Blue Testament readers don’t even use Twitter. So we thought we’d try something new and point out a few Tweets with news and insights that may otherwise be missed during a game.
Ilie Sanchez Update
Many were surprised when Gianluca Busio got the start at defensive midfielder for Sporting Kansas City against Minnesota United. According to the team, Ilie Sanchez had to miss the game for “family reasons.”
Missing from the midfield for #SportingKC tonight will be Felipe Gutierrez (season-ending surgery) and Ilie Sanchez (family reasons). #MINvSKC
— Sporting Matchday (@SKCmatchday) August 21, 2020
Speaking of Busio...
That’s quite a stat line.
A solid performance from Gianluca Busio (18) v. Minnesota:
— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) August 22, 2020
✅ 90 min
1 key pass
4/4 long balls
❌ 5 interceptions
⚔️ 5 tackles won
91.5% pass comp
14/16 final 3rd passes
7 ball recoveries
2-1 win
Not his normal role but Busio stepped up to challenge! pic.twitter.com/CyZHHP18Tw
And SKC’s Carter Augustine put together a reel of Busio’s actions for the night in his new role.
Gianluca Busio vs. Minnesota United highlights. Tough to cut down to Twitter length. Kept the ball very well and the weight on the passes was great throughout pic.twitter.com/DBlk19FehW
— Carter Augustine (@CarterAugust1ne) August 22, 2020
Vermes High on Busio as Well
One of the first words to come out of #SKC manager Peter Vermes' mouth when asked about Gianluca Busio playing at the 6 was Pirlo
— Aly Trost (@AlyTrost) August 22, 2020
The boss had big praise for @gbusio13 performance as a deep-lying playmaker last night...
— Sporting KC (@SportingKC) August 22, 2020
Quotes from Vermes and Russell on Busio’s game tonight. #SportingKC #MINvSKC pic.twitter.com/et0yRcXW13
— Shaun Goodwin (@ShaunGoodwinKC) August 22, 2020
A Night of Weird Goals
A cross bounces in and another cross hits a defender for an own goal. They all count the same.
They all count #MINvSKC // @audi // #FirstPlace pic.twitter.com/21322VzVjz
— Sporting KC (@SportingKC) August 22, 2020
Not pictured — the own goal from Jaylin Lindsey. What a weird night.
12' Goal credited to Gadi Kinda, who swung in a dangerous ball ahead of Espinoza's darting run through the box that winds up in the net. #SportingKC has an early lead on the road! #MINvSKC 0-1 pic.twitter.com/bcNnP3cJqF
— Sporting KC (@SportingKC) August 21, 2020
An own goal from each side. This really is the nicest rivalry in sports.
— Kevin C (@drkencham) August 22, 2020
JFR TELLING MINNESOTA THAT THEY WILL SCORE AT HIS WILL.
— The Cauldron (@KCCauldron) August 22, 2020
Timmy Timmy Timmy Timmy Timmy Tim Melia...
... he saves our goals. He saves our goooaaaoooaaaoolls.
25' nope. ♂️#MINvSKC 0-1 // @TimMelia28 pic.twitter.com/3DjZqtaXe8
— Sporting KC (@SportingKC) August 22, 2020
An Exclusive Club
Players with three goals and two assists in @MLS regular season this year:
— Sporting Matchday (@SKCmatchday) August 22, 2020
Gadi Kinda (@SportingKC)
Alan Pulido (@SportingKC)
Lucas Zelarayán (@ColumbusCrewSC)
Jordan Morris (@SoundersFC)
Diego Rossi (@LAFC) pic.twitter.com/zcXUlZII8l
There have been 10 MLS matches since the restart. Only 3 away goals have been scored in those matches. 2 of those were tonight by @SportingKC. Just shows the high level we’re playing at
— Evan (@SKC_Evan) August 22, 2020
18-year-old Gianluca Busio leads all players in #MINvSKC with five interceptions and 96.3% passing accuracy. pic.twitter.com/vFLUZAIXT0
— Sporting Matchday (@SKCmatchday) August 22, 2020
The Veteran Debut
Winston Reid, on loan from West Ham United, makes his Sporting KC debut. I must say, it went quite well.
Hey #SportingKC fam: Let's give a big Twitter welcome to @WinstonReid2 #MINvSKC // #COYI pic.twitter.com/lsnNJiwsZN
— Sporting KC (@SportingKC) August 21, 2020
High Praise for Felipe Hernandez
Roger Espinoza saying Hernandez is like him but better. The future looks bright.
Felipe Hernandez checks in for Roger Espinoza. On the #SKCShow the other week, Espinoza said Hernandez reminds him a lot of himself...but better. “He’s a lot better than I was at 21 years old.”
— Aly Trost (@AlyTrost) August 22, 2020
Jaylin Lindsey Stays Humble
It didn’t all go well for Lindsey and I love that he recognized that openly. Let’s hope he gets more chances to show what he has.
Good solid win from the boys! Happy to get 3 points on the road. Also, happy to get 90 minutes in the legs.. wasn’t the best but hungry for more. Only up from here ⚽️ @SportingKC https://t.co/kYe9KqGTHQ
— Jaylin Lindsey (@JaylinLindsey) August 22, 2020
Not the best #SportingKC has played this season, but much better than the game vs Philly.
— Mike (@downthebyline) August 22, 2020
Smith on Smith Action?!?
Terrible title, but I had to sneak my own Tweet in here about Graham Smith. No relation.
You know who deserves some props tonight... Graham Smith. Solid defensively AND he hit numerous diagonal balls to Lindsey and Shelton on the left wing. Didn't know he had that in his game. #MINvSKC #SportingKC
— Chad Smith (@PlayFor90) August 22, 2020
Rule Changes
No more 23 man game day rosters... whoops. Down to 20 so a mere nine available subs. At least someone corrected me (SKC PR) so I wouldn’t go on forever not knowing like a fool. The multiple mid-year rule changes are a bit tough to keep up with. The five sub rule continues currently until summer of 2021, but no word if MLS will adopt it for just half of their next season or if it may get extended again.
20-man gameday rosters, so only 9 subs available.
— Patrik Bergabo (@pbergabo) August 21, 2020
Just for Fun
us all weekend pic.twitter.com/yFXpjvRwSs
— No Other Pod (@NoOtherPod) August 22, 2020
Yes I have one final question Johnny Russell did you finish your beer during the presser @SportingKC pic.twitter.com/ThQaxjGddT
— Carter Augustine (@CarterAugust1ne) August 22, 2020
Wow…
— Andy Edwards (@AndyEdMLS) August 22, 2020
Three center backs on the field.
Three homegrowns in midfield.
Peter Vermes read ALL your tweets during quarantine. #SportingKC #MINvSKC
Back Home Before the Sun Comes Up
Sporting KC flew in and out of Minnesota the same day. It didn’t seem to have an adverse effect but it’ll be something to watch, especially as the trips are further away and the games are packed tighter and tighter together.
⚽️ Sporting KC (@SportingKC)
— Sports + Aviation (@SportsAviation) August 22, 2020
2-1 Win @ Minnesota United #MNUFC
️ #SportingKC with winning #MLS day trip up north
✈️ SCX8646 | N826SY | B738
MSP - 10:54pm CT
MKC - 12:03am CT
Track Here : https://t.co/uXUTlpK3lI pic.twitter.com/CanBkb9MzM