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Sporting Kansas City Gets Statement Win in the Rose City

By Eric Harris

Mar 18, 2017; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia (29) puts the ball in play during the second half of the match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Children's Mercy Park. Sporting Kansas City won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia (29) puts the ball in play during the second half of the match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Children's Mercy Park. Sporting Kansas City won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Peter Vermes’ side gets a 1-0 win in Portland and moves Sporting Kansas City up to second in the western conference.

In a matchup between the most lethal offense and the most rock solid defense, it was Sporting Kansas City who held firm and got a 1-0 win in Portland.

After some quality build up play, Jimmy Medranda’s cross met Dom Dwyer’s head and Sporting KC had an early second half lead.

After Sporting Kansas City took the lead they held on for dear life. A road point in Portland would have been considered a positive result by most. But SKC was able to keep the Timbers off the scoresheet for the first time this season.

They did so with some heroics from Roger Espinoza.

And a ridiculous save from Tim Melia.

Statistically, this game was about as even as one can get. Portland completed 455 passes at 79%, and Sporting completed 451 also at 79%. While Kansas City had more of the ball in the first half, the Timbers controlled more of the second half and the game ended at nearly a 50/50 split of possession.

Sporting Kansas City has always been a high pressuring team, and that style can lead to several fouls. After this match, let’s just say Caleb Porter was not a fan of how things went.

Sporting Kansas City Win Puts the Rest of the West On Notice

After the last two seasons, doubt had started to creep in about this Sporting Kansas City team. After a slow start defensively the team is really coming around, including Zusi’s adjustment into the right back role. Winning at one of the toughest places to play in the league shows that Sporting can contend with anyone.

Now it’s only a month and a half into the season, and there are plenty of games to go, but the win is a big deal for SKC. They now sit in second in the conference. More importantly, through six games they have only given up two goals, and just shutout one of the most dangerous teams in the league.

Next: Montero brace hands Whitecaps 2-1 win over Sounders

Now that Dwyer appears to be finding a rhythm they appear to be firing on all cylinders. Again there are still 28 games to go, and there will be a slump at some point in the year, but Sporting Kansas City has proven early on they can hang with anyone, anywhere.

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