MLS Game #32
Saturday, October 1, 2011, 9:30 p.m. CT
English TV: KSMO-TV
Spanish TV: Time Warner Cable Ch. 5
Spanish Radio: La Gran D 1340 AM
Buck Shaw Stadium | Santa Clara, California
Weather: Clear, 70 degrees
Attendance: 10,525 (Sell Out)
Video: Match Highlights
Score 1 2 F
Sporting Kansas City (11-9-12, 45 pts) 0 1 1
San Jose Earthquakes (6-11-14, 32 pts) 0 1 1
Sporting Kansas City: Jimmy Nielsen; Chance Myers, Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin, Seth Sinovic; Julio Cesar, Davy Arnaud©, Jeferson (Graham Zusi 87); Kei Kamara (C.J. Sapong 72), Teal Bunbury, Omar Bravo (Peterson Joseph 82)
Subs not used: Eric Kronberg, Michael Harrington, Lawrence Olum, Soony Saad
San Jose Earthquakes: Jon Busch; Bobby Burling, Jason Hernandez, Steven Beitashour, Justin Morrow; Sam Cronin, Rafael Baca (Joey Gjertsen 66), Ramiro Corrales©, Simon Dawkins; Khari Stephenson (Maxwell Griffin 72), Chris Wondolowski
Subs not used: David Bingham, Bobby Convey, Chris Leitch, Ellis McLoughlin, Brad Ring
Stats: KC SJ
Shots 15 20
Shots on Goal 5 2
Saves 1 4
Fouls 11 5
Offside 1 3
Corner Kicks 5 5
Misconduct Summary:
KC – Omar Bravo (Caution; Reckless Foul) 24
SJ – Khari Stepenson (Caution; Reckless Foul) 28
Scoring Summary:
SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Steven Beitashour 6, Simon Dawkins 2) 85
KC – Teal Bunbury 8 (C.J. Sapong 5) 85
Two late goals in the space of a minute meant that Sporting Kansas City and the San Jose Earthquakes split the points in a 1-1 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday night. Chris Wondolowski edged the Earthquakes in front in the 85th minute, but Teal Bunbury finished off a pass from C.J. Sapong just 45 seconds later to ensure a point for Sporting Kansas City.
The result puts Sporting Kansas City (11-9-12) on 45 points with just two matches left to play in the 2011 MLS regular season and moves Sporting Kansas City two points clear of the Philadelphia Union in first place in the Eastern Conference.
Just one minute after kickoff, both sides created clear chances to go in front. First, from the opening kickoff, defender Matt Besler sent a long ball out of the back that was flicked into space by Kei Kamara. Kamara’s flick fell to Davy Arnaud in space on the right flank, but the midfielder’s cross to the far post was headed just over the bar by Designated Player Omar Bravo.
With the start on Saturday, Arnaud breaks Kerry Zavagnin’s club record for regular season appearances. After making his debut on July 31st, 2002. Arnaud played 90 minutes on Saturday in his 238th regular seasonappearance for the club.
Straight down the pitch from the ensuing goal kick, Earthquakes midfielder Ramiro Corrales went close. Receiving a pass from Khari Stephenson, midfielder Simon Dawkins took a touch beyond Chance Myers and cut a pass back to the edge of the area for Corrales. Corrales came across the pass with his right foot, hitting a swerving low drive that zipped just outside of the post.
It was not until the 29th minute that another chance would fall to either side. Following a foul in his own defensive half, Besler served a long free kick across the pitch that was nodded down by Kamara for Teal Bunbury.Bunbury hit bouncing ball first time to the near post, but San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch got down well to save.
One minute later, Sporting Kansas City’s best chance of the half went begging. With time on the ball in midfield, Jeferson picked out a streaking Omar Bravo through on goal. Jeferson’s delicate chipped pass was controlled by Bravo who then touched a shot past an onrushing Jon Busch, but rookie defender StevenBeitashour recovered in time to clear off the line.
In the 43rd minute, San Jose would create the final chance of the first half. Receiving the ball at the edge of the penalty area, Dawkins wriggled beyond Julio Cesar before smashing a right-footed shot high of goal and out as the two sides entered the half level at 0-0.
Sporting Kansas City would grab the upper hand to start the second half. In the 58th minute, Omar Bravo was presented with Sporting Kansas City’s best chance of the match. Driving into the area, Bravo had his shot blockedaway but not out of danger. Pouncing on the loose ball was Jeferson, who hit a first time shot into a crowd of San Jose defenders, stopping the momentum of the effort. Earthquakes defender Jason Hernandez attempted to clear the ball away, but failed to connect on the clearance as the ball rolled to Bravo swiveled around to face goal before firing wide of the far post.
Busch would be called upon four minutes later, as the Earthquakes goalkeeper produced his best save of the match in the 62nd minute. In a sweeping move upfield, a long ball out of the back from Jimmy Nielsen was flicked on by Kamara for Bunbury. With Bobby Burling recovering towards goal, Bunbury left the defender in his wake, cutting the ball back as Burling went to ground. With only Busch to beat, Bunbury attempted to sneak a low shot in at the near post, but the effort was kicked away by Busch.
Nine minutes later, Kamara was again active in the air, this time having a go at goal himself. From a corner, Jeferson picked out the Sierra Leone international in the area but Kamara flashed his header just wide of the far post as he was moving away from goal.
In the 85th minute, San Jose would go in front. Following a turnover in midfield, Beitashour swung a cross in from the right flank. Beitashour’s ball into the area found Chris Wondolowski, who slid in and put his finish beyond Nielsen. The shot was San Jose’s first of the night directed on goal.
Straight from the restart, Sporting Kansas City notched an equalizer. Receiving the ball from the kickoff, substitute forward C.J. Sapong slithered his waypast several challenges before slipping a ball into the box for Bunbury. Again matched up with Burling, Bunbury smashed a right-footed shot past Busch to the far post to level the score at 1-1 and earn a point for Sporting Kansas City.
Sporting Kansas City will now take a week’s break from MLS play before hosting the New York Red Bulls in the final regular season home match at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on October 15th. Tickets can be purchased here or at the LIVESTRONG Sporting Park box offices.
FAST FACTS
• Sporting Kansas City is now 11-9-12 and remains in sole possession of firstplace in the Eastern Conference with two games remaining in the regular season.
• Sporting Kansas City is also in first place in the month of October for thefirst time since finishing with the Western Conference’s best record in 2004.
• The draw is Sporting Kansas City’s 100th regular season in club history.
• Sporting Kansas City is 19-20-7 all-time against the San Jose Earthquakes with a 4-13-6 record on the road in the series.
• Sporting Kansas City earned their first point at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday, after being beaten in their previous three matches at Buck Shaw Stadium. Sporting Kansas City have not won in their last 15 matches in San Jose whenincluding postseason.
• The club’s last win in San Jose was on August 16, 2000, marking Sporting Kansas City’s longest winless streak against any club in MLS.
• In the last six meetings between the clubs, Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski has scored all four of San Jose’s goals in the series.
• Sporting Kansas City has lost only three times in their past 24 MLS matches.
• Sporting Kansas City has a +7 goal differential in 2011, tied for the best margin in the Eastern Conference.
• Sporting Kansas City has scored 47 goals in 32 MLS matches this season, tied for second most among all MLS teams.
• Sporting Kansas City has attempted the second most shots in MLS this seasonwith 437.
• Sporting Kansas City has scored 20 goals on the road this season, tied for third most in MLS.
• Saturday marked Sporting Kansas City’s final match against a Western Conference opponent during the 2011 regular season. Sporting Kansas City went 7-5-6 against the Western Conference this season, earning the most points (27) amongst all Eastern Conference teams against the West to date.
• Sporting Kansas City captain Davy Arnaud started and played 90 minutes, making the 238th appearance of his Sporting KC and MLS career which sets a new club record for most regular season games played by a Sporting KC player all-time. He broke a tie with current assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin.
• Since 2003, Arnaud is tied for the fourth most games played (235) among allMajor League Soccer players.
• Teal Bunbury scored his eighth goal of the season in the 85th minute, coming 45 seconds after San Jose had scored to take a 1-0 lead.
• The two goals in 45 seconds are the fastest two goals scored in a Sporting Kansas City match this season, surpassing the pair of Vancouver Whitecaps FC goals scored 1 minute, 2 seconds apart.and the pair of Seattle Sounders FC goals scored 1 minute, 33 seconds apart.
• Sporting Kansas City striker C.J. Sapong played 18 minutes as a second-halfsubstitute on Saturday and is the only Sporting Kansas City player to appear in all 32 MLS matches for the club this season.
• He is one of only six players in MLS to have played 32 games in MLS this season.
• Sapong earned an assist, his fifth of the season, on Bunbury’s goal. He leads all MLS rookies in games played (32) and points (13) in 2011.
• Defender Matt Besler has started 25 straight MLS matches for Sporting Kansas City, the most of all current players.
• Sporting Kansas City midfielder Peterson Joseph made his MLS debut on Saturday, entering in the 82nd minute for Omar Bravo.
• Sporting Kansas City has now had 31 different players appear in an MLS match in 2011, 11 of whom made their MLS debuts in 2011.
• San Jose was called for only two fouls in the first half of Saturday’s game, matching the fewest fouls suffered by Sporting Kansas City in a half this season.
• San Jose recorded 15 shots in the first half, the third most given up by Sporting Kansas City in a half this season.
• Bunbury’s seven shots on Saturday was the most by a Sporting Kansas City player in a single game this season. His four shots on goal against the Earthquakes also matches a single-game season high set by Kei Kamara last week. Both marks match career-highs for Bunbury.
• Bunbury’s goal was the fifth game-tying goal scored after the 75th minute by Sporting Kansas City this season.
• Sporting Kansas City’s five fouls suffered on Saturday was the fewest of any game during the 2011 season.
• Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza missed Saturday’s match with a quad strain.
• Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi played his third consecutive match without a yellow card and will receive the “Good Behavior” incentive, expunging one yellow card from his accumulation total.
• The Members’ Club at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park held a watch party for Saturday’s match.
RECORD BREAKDOWN
• Sporting Kansas City is 3-7-6 on the road this season.
• Sporting Kansas City is 2-5-5 when tied at halftime in 2011.
• Sporting Kansas City is 1-6-7 when allowing the first goal in 2011.
• Sporting Kansas City is 2-2-7 when scoring one goal in 2011 and 5-4-7 when allowing one goal in 2011.
• Sporting Kansas City is 11-6-11 when wear all-Sporting Blue uniforms in 2011.
• Sporting Kansas City is 0-2-7 when tied in the 75th minute in 2011.
• Sporting Kansas City is 2-5-4 when outshot by opponents in 2011.
• Sporting Kansas City is 10-7-11 on natural grass playing surfaces this season.
• Sporting Kansas City is 2-2-2 when playing in the Pacific time zone in 2011.
• Sporting Kansas City is 3-7-7 when the temperature is below 75 degrees at kickoff in 2011.
• Sporting Kansas City is 10-9-8 on KSMO-TV in 2011.
• Sporting Kansas City is 62-127-57 all-time on the road and 192-199-100 all-time.
QUOTES
SPORTING KANSAS CITY MANAGER PETER VERMES
Thoughts on tonight’s performance…
I thought they were the better team in the first half. In the second half I think the game changed. We had a couple of adjustments and I think we got a little tired with the crossing they were doing. I think we had better chances in the second half. After they scored our reaction was fantastic. We got the goal right on the swing. I’m proud of the way the guys reacted.
On the result…
They put a lot of pressure on us. I think coming away from here with a point, instead of themcoming out with the win was good for us. It’s a tough place to play.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY DEFENDER SETH SINOVIC
On the club’s playing style…
It’s tough to find a rhythm when there isn’t a lot of consistency. I think we’ve found a little bit of consistency in Kansas City and with the new stadium it has brought on a good year. It definitely feels comfortable there.
On his contributions from left back…
Growing up I’ve always played midfield. It’s an adjustment every day for me but I’m trying to learn as much as I can and I’ve had the chance to grow as an outside back.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY FORWARD OMAR BRAVO
On his inaugural season in MLS…
I have adapted to the play of the league. I’m comfortable with it and I understand what I have to do for the team. It’s not a matter of levels of play. It’s more physical and it’s more direct. Our team is capable of playing this way, we have a good game plan.
On his position in the squad…
I was elated when coach told me to play that position. For many years at Chivas I played like that. I feel comfortable there.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH FRANK YALLOP
On the match…
To have a 1-0 lead in the 85th minute and concede a goal in five seconds is not good. However, I thought we played well again tonight. We played some bright football, especially in the first half. We weathered the storm a bit early in the second half and we started to drive on the last 20 minutes. I think we deserved to have the lead, but we have to finish those games.
On recent results…
We have to see games out. Tonight is another example of that. What it comes down to though is we need to score more goals. A defensive mistake cost us tonight, but we need to put the game away earlier. I can’t fault the guys for their effort. They put a lot of work in tonight, but we just cannot get the wins when we need them.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER JON BUSCH
On the draw…
It was very disappointing. We played hard for 85 or so minutes and unfortunately we just turned off mentally. We got our goal, and then to give up the lead like that is frustrating. It’s just a mental thing; we are being too complacent. That sums up or season in less than a minute. It was just another example of how our season has gone. We’ve got to learn how to win.
On the capacity crowd…
It’s great. They are loyal and supportive fans, and we need to reward them for that. Unfortunately, we haven’t given them a lot to cheer about this year, especially coming off the success from last year. We thank them for coming out, and we know they willcontinue to come out and support us.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER SIMON DAWKINS
On the team’s performance…
It was a well-fought effort for 80 plus minutes, I thought. We score, then we give one up…it’s disappointing to say the least. We’ve played well for the last 10 games, I think, but we are just not getting the results. What you saw today was the story of our season; a down following a high. The key moving forward is to build on those positives, which I think we’ve been doing over the last 10 matches.
On playing out the season…
It’s about pride at this point. We have to finish the season strong. We are starting to gel as a unit and we need to carry that over into next season.
