Sporting KC earns a draw with FC Dallas with a Shelton goal

Sporting Kansas City earned a draw when they overcame an early deficit. The draw was their second straight 1-1 result.

FC Dallas grabbed the lead in the 9^th minute when they pounced on Sporting KC being a little too lackadaisical playing the ball out of the back. Bryan Acosta intercepted a pass and tipped it to Franco Jara who went straight in on goal. The Argentinian striker’s chip gave Tim Melia no chance to keep the ball out of his own net.

If it took a few minutes for Sporting KC to find their footing it would be understandable. Three homegrown players comprised the midfield and another on defense. The all-Homegrown midfield of 18-year-old Gianluca Busio, 19-year-old Cameron Duke and 22-year-old Felipe Hernandez got the start because of injuries, a suspension and players needing rest. For Duke it was his first start for SKC and for Hernandez it was only his second start.

Fellow homegrown Jaylin Lindsey has started the last few games but against Dallas he moved back to his more natural right side, starting in place of veteran Graham Zusi at right back.

Sporting KC gained momentum throughout the first half and was creating the bulk of the quality chances and that finally paid off at the end of the half. Dallas starting keeper Jimmy Mauer had done well to keep SKC out of his net but picked up an injury in the constant flurry around his net. Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez was forced to sub Maurer out and bring in 30-year-old Kyle Zobeck for his first minutes shortly before half.

The Homegrown midfield started the goal sequence when Busio won a header to Shelton who quickly laid it off to Hernandez. A touch and a pass slid the ball up to Gerso who was calmly put the ball in front of Shelton. A quick touch into space opened up the defense and Shelton slotted the ball past Zobeck into the net in the three minutes into first half stoppage time.

It was Shelton’s fourth goal of the season, moving him into a tie with Alan Pulido to lead the club in goals scored.

Dallas had a few opportunities in the second half but it was primarily SKC looking for the winning goal and the visitors blocking shots. Sporting KC generated 22 total shots but Dallas was able to block 14 of them and with 5 others off target, only 3 found their way past a desperate defense and were on goal.

The congested schedule continues on Saturday as SKC heads to Houston to make it 5 games in 16 days.

Sporting Kansas City: Tim Melia; Jaylin Lindsey, Graham Smith (Matt Besler 46’), Roberto Puncec, Luis Martins; Gianluca Busio, Felipe Hernandez (Erik Hurtado 90+3’), Cam Duke (Graham Zusi 57’); Johnny Russell (C), Khiry Shelton, Gerso Fernandes (Daniel Salloi 57’)

Subs Not Used: Richard Sanchez, Amadou Dia, Andreu Fontas, Wan Kuzain

FC Dallas: Jimmy Mauer (Kyle Zobeck 42’); Ryan Hollingshead, Matt Hedges (Bressan 46’), Reto Ziegler (C), John Nelson; Thiago Santos, Bryan Acosta (Tanner Tessman 19’), Brandon Servania (Santiago Mosquera 64’); Michael Barrios, Franco Jara, Jesus Ferreira (Bryan Reynolds 64’)

Subs Not Used: Edwin Cerillo, Ricaurte Velez, Zdenek Ondrasek, Ricardo Pepi

Scoring Summary:

DAL — Franco Jara 1 (Bryan Acosta 1) 9’

SKC — Khiry Shelton 4 (Gerso Fernandes 2, Felipe Hernandez 1) 45+3’

Misconduct Summary:

DAL — Brandon Servania (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 31’

DAL — Michael Barrios (yellow card; delaying a restart) 54’

DAL — Thiago Santos (yellow card; dissent) 84’