ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex | Kissimmee, F.L.
Weather: Partly cloudy and 73 degrees
Video: Full Match Replay
<strong>Score</strong> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<strong>2</strong> |
<strong>F</strong> |
Sporting Kansas City |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Montreal Impact |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Sporting Kansas City: Jimmy Nielsen (Kronberg 62); Seth Sinovic (Josh Gardner 62), Matt Besler (Yann Songo'o 62), Aurelien Collin (Ike Opara 46), Mechack Jerome* (Kyle Miller 62); Orioll Rosell (Lawrence Olum 62), Paulo Nagamura (Christian Duke* 62), Benny Feilhaber (Peterson Joseph 62); Graham Zusi (C.J. Sapong 62), Claudio Bieler (Soony Saad 62), Bobby Convey (Adama Mbengue 62)
Montreal Impact: Troy Perkins, Zarek Valentin (Jeb Brovsky 46), Alessandro Nesta (Collen Warner 46), Matteo Ferrari, Dennis Iapichino (Maxim Tissot 60); Davy Arnaud (Andrea Pisanu 69), Patrice Bernier (Wandrille Lefevre 72), Hassoun Camara, Felipe (Eber* 60), Sanna Nyassi (Justin Mapp 46), Marco Di Vaio (Andrew Wenger 60, Calum Mallace 83')
* - Guest/Trialist Player
** - Supplemental Draft Pick
<strong>Stats</strong> |
<strong>KC</strong> |
<b>MTL</b> |
Shots |
6 |
7 |
Shots on goal |
3 |
4 |
Saves |
1 |
3 |
Fouls |
10 |
9 |
Offside |
2 |
5 |
Corner Kicks |
2 |
4 |
Misconduct Summary:
MTL - Davy Arnaud 31 (caution)
MTL - Wandrille Lefevre 90 (caution)
Scoring Summary:
KC - Graham Zusi (Paulo Nagamura) 18
MTL - Marco Di Vaio (Patrice Bernier) 45, Andrew Wenger (Maxim Tousset) 61
Sporting Kansas City suffered their first loss of the preseason with a 2-1 result against the Montreal Impact in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic.
The match marked the first preseason minutes for Graham Zusi, Benny Feilhaber, and Matt Besler; all who were with the United States Men's National Team for the January training camp.
Zusi looked sharp from the opening whistle and gave Sporting KC the lead in the 19th minute. The midfielder dribbled towards goal and then sent a long range shot just under the crossbar and past the goalkeeper.
Montreal responded in the 26th minute with a good chance for Davy Arnaud. The former KC midfielder collected a pass from Sanna Nyassi before testing goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. Nielsen was quick to react and made the save.
Claudio Bieler, Sporting KC's newest designated player, made his second consecutive start in preseason and played 62 minutes. Bieler was close to doubling the lead in the 36th minute but was unable to volley a Seth Sinovic cross on goal.
The momentum in the first half switched several times with Sporting KC controlling possession for large stretches but Montreal having opportunities on counterattacks.
Impact striker Marco Di Vaio equalized for Montreal seconds before the teams left the pitch for halftime. Di Viao got behind the defense by running onto a Patrice Bernier through ball and then calmly slotting it into the back of the net.
Montreal's strong play at the end of the first half transferred into the second half. The Impact took the lead with a goal from last year's number one overall MLS SuperDraft pick, Andrew Wenger.
Maxim Tissot started the attack by gaining possession in midfield, dribbling into the final third, and springing Wenger with a perfectly timed through ball. Wenger was one on one with the goalkeeper and guided it into the back of the net.
As Sporting KC pushed for an equalizer in the final minutes, it allowed for several counterattacking opportunities for Montreal but Erik Kronberg, who was subbed in for Nielsen in the 62nd minute, confidently came off his line on several occasions to prevent Montreal's scoring chances.
Sporting KC had two good opportunities late but were denied by great goalkeeping. Ike Opara headed a Christian Duke cross on goal in the 89th minute but Perkins was able to get the fingertips on it and C.J. Sapong redirected a Soony Saad cross in stoppage time but it was directly at the goalkeeper.
Both teams made several second half substitutions with Montreal's Matteo Ferrari, Troy Perkins, and Hassoun Camara were the only players to play 90 minutes.
Sporting KC will continue their preseason in Orlando with a match against D.C. United on Wednesday, February 13 at 5 PM C.T. The match will be streamed live online at SportingKC.com/live.
