After starting in the team's 1-0 season-opening win at D.C. United on March 10, Sporting Kansas City striker Teal Bunbury waited 70 days to make his return to the first XI. For statistical sake, that's somewhere in the ballpark of six million seconds between starts. And it took him all of 61 of those seconds on Saturday to capitalize on the opportunity.
Colorado kicks off. Sporting KC throw-in. Myers to Zusi to Myers to Kamara to Zusi to Convey to Sinovic to Bunbury. Ball in back of the net. Celebration.
His header, on a perfectly placed cross from left back Seth Sinovic, would be one of two goals on the night for the third-year pro and was the fourth fastest in team history. Quickest ever goal? That feat also came in a 2-2 draw against Colorado and belongs to the club's all-time games played leader Davy Arnaud, who scored 33 seconds into the match on August 22, 2003. Here's the full list:
- 33 seconds; Davy Arnaud, 8/22/03, KC vs COL, 2-2 T
- 36 seconds; Scott Sealy, 9/9/06, KC vs COL, 4-1 W
- 50 seconds; Ryan Pore, 9/3/05, KC at NY, 2-2 T
- 61 seconds; Teal Bunbury, 5/19/12, KC at COL, 2-2 T
Ironically, the goal was the fourth fastest of the season in MLS, but not even the earliest goal on the day. Reigning MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario scored 55 seconds into D.C. United's 3-1 win over Toronto. Here's that list:
- 25 seconds; Dominic Oduro, 4/21/12, CHI at TOR, 3-2 W
- 29 seconds; Saer Sene, 3/24/12, NE vs POR, 1-0 W
- 55 seconds; Dwayne De Rosario, 5/19/12, DC vs TOR, 3-1 W
- 61 seconds; Teal Bunbury, 5/19/12, KC at COL, 2-2 T
