Sporting Kansas City advanced to the fourth round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Des Moines Menace. They will now face Orlando City in the fourth round at Sporting Park on Wednesday, June 12, 2013.
Man of the Match
Mikey Lopez played his first competitive match for Sporting KC and helped to control the middle of the pitch. There were a few early nerves from the rookie but Lopez quickly settled in and showed why he was a first round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Lopez will now join up with the U.S. U-20s as they play in the Toulon tournament ahead of this summer's FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Turning Point
Claudio Bieler's second half goal effectively ended any thought of an upset at Sporting Park. The goal was a result of continuous pressure from Sporting KC that eventually took its toll on the Des Moines backline. Bieler now has seven goals (five at Sporting Park) in all competitions this year and proving he's a pure striker with a nose for goal.
A Few Stats
- Sporting KC is now 3-0-0 all-time versus Des Moines in Open Cup matches
- Kei Kamara's goal moves him into a tied of fifth most in club history for Open Cup matches
- Eric Kronberg's clean sheet is his fifth in nine Open Cup matches, most in club history
