DC United began their season with a frustrating 1-0 loss to Sporting KC at RFK Stadium. CJ Sapong, the reigning MLS Rookie of the Year, began his sophomore year with the late stoppage time goal to give the visitors their first three points of the year.
It took awhile for both clubs to get going. For the majority of the first half, Sporting KC had the upper hand, both with possession and offensive opportunities. There were very few shots attempted as both defenses were up to the challenge of snuffing the other club out in the attacking third. In the 39th minute, United was finally able to register a legit shot, thanks to the hard work by Chris Pontius, which just narrowly missed the left post of Nielson’s goal. Moments later, Sporting KC nearly got on the board after Roger Espinoza’s cross found the head of a leaping Kei Kamara. Were it not for the amazing kick save by keeper Bill Hamid, Kamara’s header would have given KC the halftime lead. Both teams went into the locker room scoreless at the half.
Sporting KC came out of the gate in the second half testing Hamid multiple times, but the Olympic goalkeeper was up to the task every time keeping United in the match with good saves. United’s offense, with the likes of Dwayne De Rosario and Hamdi Salihi, were completely shut out by the KC defense. According to the MLS website, DC United only managed one shot on target throughout the entire night. Sporting KC was finally able to break through at the end of the match with Sapong slipping in behind the United defense and heading a ball past Hamid to give the visitors the win over DC for the third 1-0 result in a row in the series (last year United lost both matches 1-0).
Honestly, this match was pretty frustrating for every DC United fan. First, with all the hype surrounding the forwards and midfielders, I was hoping to not see DC shut out so quickly. Sporting KC had more shots, more opportunities, more corners, better passing accuracy, more possession and less offsides In other words, they absolutely dominated DC in almost every stat. On the flip side, this was the first match of the year, and kinks have to be worked out. What is most frustrating is watching another match slip away in the closing minutes. It seems like a running trend for DC to give up goals late in the match that destroys potential wins and draws.
I won’t be concerned yet. The first game is useful for getting the kinks out. Also, we need to remember that this Sporting KC won the Eastern Conference regular season and made it to the conference championship last season. They are a talented club. Next week will be even tougher as DC faces the LA Galaxy and their limitless pockets of money. It could be rough early on, but there is nothing to worry about yet.
(image courtesy of Tony Quinn/dcunited.com)
