Sporting Kansas Metropolis defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 0-0 (4-2) in penalties at Kids’s Mercy Park to advance to the subsequent spherical of the 2023 Main League Soccer playoffs.
The Wild Card match noticed a dominant Kansas Metropolis take management from very early on, dancing via the opponent’s backline to handle an general 18 photographs and 4 on aim with 60 p.c possession. Captain Johnny Russell led the best way, trying to rocket the ball into the online from all angels earlier than falling shot.
The Earthquakes couldn’t sustain, struggling to get previous the midfield. The visiting staff recorded a surprising zero photographs on aim in 97 minutes of motion, as head coach Luchi Gonzales made penalty-specific substitutions in a bid to succeed in the subsequent part of the playoffs. However his technique was to no avail.
After Russell scored the primary penalty of the evening, Cristian Espinoza adopted with a weak strike to the fitting facet for goalkeeper Tim Melia to avoid wasting. Although Alan Pulido then missed for SKC, offering the visiting facet an opportunity to equalize the rating, Jackson Yueill despatched his strike to the stands.
After Erik Thommy and Gadi Kinda scored, Daniel Salloi stepped as much as rating the ultimate penalty of the online and ship followers right into a frenzy. The stadium exploded into cheers, because the gamers gathered in entrance of followers to rejoice the Wild Card victory.
Sporting KC will now face St. Louis CITY on Sunday in Missouri for the primary match of the best-of-three sequence.
GK: Tim Melia – 10/10 – Made the required saves all through common time earlier than stopping a pair penalties. Nothing extra to ask of a goalkeeper.
RB: Jacob Davis- 8/10 – Noticed a pair good clearances to keep away from any threatening conditions.
CB: Andreu Fontàs- 7/10 – Handed the Earthquakes’ frontline nicely. Fullfilled.
CB: Daniel Rosero- 7/10 – No outstanding moments, however held the backline nicely.
LB: Logan Ndenbe – 7/10 – Did not impress, however did not hinder.
CM: Erik Thommy – 8/10 – Consistently energetic all through the sphere. Showcased creativity when on the ball. Scored his penalty.
CM: Nemanja Radoja – 7/10 – No actual affect.
CM: Rémi Walter – 7/10 – First rate defensive work within the midfield, however did not encourage when pushing ahead.
RW: Johnny Russell- 9/10 – An exceptional drive, continuously testing goalkeeper Daniel. Unfortunate to not get the opening aim within the first half earlier than hitting the pole on one other strive. Probably the most energetic participant in each offenses.
ST: Alan Pulido- 6.5/10 – Began off robust earlier than dropping efficiency late within the second half. Additionally missed a penalty. Not a fantastic evening for the participant given his potential.
LW: Dániel Sallói – 8/10 – An honest displaying, particularly within the first half. Noticed a pair photographs miss the aim barely however scored the profitable penalty.
Substitutes
CM: Gadi Kinda (68′ for Walter) – 10/10 – Got here in to assault nicely and scored his penalty.
CM: Roger Espinoza (89′ for Radoja) -N/A
Supervisor
Peter Vermes – 8/10 – Managed the beginning line up and substitutions nicely, fairly unfortunate to not get the 1-0 however dealt with the sport accordingly.
GK: Daniel – 9/10 – Made an exceptional save within the second half, after warding off a pair alternatives early on. Saved a penalty.
RB: Paul Marie – 6/10 – Weakened the protection.
CB: Carlos Akapo- 8/10 – Held the backline collectively by making a number of essential clearances. Scored his penalty.
CB: Carlos Gruezo – 8/10 – First rate defending throughout, current when wanted.
LB: Jonathan – 7/10 – May’ve carried out higher when pushing ahead, lacked the drive this recreation craved.
CM: Jamiro Monteiro – 6/10 – No actual affect.
CM: Rodrigues – 8/10 – Accomplished a spectacular save to keep away from the opening aim, in any other case good.
CM: Jackson Yueill – 7/10 – Lacked the attacking drive we have seen in earlier video games.
RW: Jeremy Ebobisse – 8/10 – Strong in transition, however did not encourage in entrance of the aim. Did nicely although to assist the midfield when crucial defensively.
ST: Cristian Espinoza – 6/10 – Didn’t dwell as much as his potential. We have seen him be a drive to be reckoned with and as an alternative he was quiet. Additionally missed his penalty.
LW: Matthew Hoppe- 7/10 – Not the affect San Jose wanted, 0 photographs in 59 minutes just isn’t sufficient.
Substitutes
ST: Cade Cowell (59′ for Hoppe) – 8/10 – Got here in to revolutionize the assault. The power SJ wanted from the start.
LB: Miguel Trauco (77′ for Marie) – 7/10 – An odd change, however did fantastic.
CM: Jack Skahan (77′ for Ebobisse) – 10/10 – Scored penalty.
CM: Niko Tsakiris (85′ for Monteiro) – N/A
CM: Judson (85′ for Gruezo) -N/A
Supervisor
Luchi Gonzalez – 4/10 – Questionable adjustments to the beginning 11 that have been mirrored by 0 photographs on aim in over 75 minutes of motion. Then made penalty-specific substitutions that did not work out. A nasty evening throughout.
