Sporting Kansas City: 3 Takeaways vs San Jose Earthquakes

Sporting Kansas City survives a wild final minutes to get their first win of 2017.

After 88 minutes, Sporting Kansas City was trying to hold on to their lead and go home with a 1-0 win, then things got wild. Soony Saad had a half chance turn into a goal thanks to this howler from David Bingham.

Florian Jungwirth got a goal back with a set piece goal. Tim Melia sprung into action and made a diving save in traffic to keep the score at 2-1. After a clearance on the ensuing corner, the final whistle blew while Sporting Kansas City got their first win of the year, and San Jose dropped their first points. Now let’s take a look at the three takeaways from a frantic finish at Children’s Mercy Park.

Benny Feilhaber is still very good.

SKC spent nearly all of the second half trying to hang on to a 1-0 lead. That lead was because of this insane goal from Feilhaber.

The most recent USMNT roster didn’t include Feilhaber. It wasn’t a shock that he wasn’t included but there was still a bit of disappointment. Benny took all of that disappointment out on this ball making Bingham a spectator to what should be goal of the week.

Anibal Godoy is criminally underrated.

San Jose struggled to create chances all night despite a solid defensive effort. That was led by Godoy in the middle. He wasn’t on the scoresheet tonight but this was the third match in a row he kept the Earthquakes in it. He made several key defensive stops to keep Sporting at bay. Godoy’s play in the midfield this year hasn’t gotten the attention that some of the biggest stars have gotten but it has been right up there with the best.

Peter Vermes’ tactical decision pays off.

Graham Zusi’s move to right back has helped the Sporting defense, but created some issues with his absence in the attack. Vermes found a way to adjudicate that some with a subtle move. Jimmy Medranda and Gerso Fernandes swapped sides on the wings and the left footed Gerso opened up space for Zusi to make more runs forward. Zusi had been doing well keeping organized with the defense. He was able to get more involved going forward this week. The more he gets forward, the more dangerous Sporting is, and that move facilitated that.

Next: Winningest MLS Franchises in League History

Sporting Kansas City’s next match will be against Toronto FC on March 31st following the more-or-less international break.