KANSAS CITY – This was the final group stage game for Sporting Kansas City. It was a hot but action-packed game against Liga MX side, Toluca. This was the third time these two teams have met. The first time, Sporting KC won. The second time, Toluca won. So this game was the rubber match and that was eminent from the start.
Each team created numerous chances in the first half but none of these chances stood to be very dangerous. It seemed like each team did well in possession but was very poor in the final third.
After the hydration break, Toluca had a very dangerous free kick that forced a solid save for Time Melia. That save led to a corner and then another save for Melia. Kansas City instantly went on the counterattack and had a decent chance that caused Tiago Volpi to make a flying save himself!
In the 40th minute, Toluca finally broke the stalemate. This coming off a very poor clearance by Tim Leibold. Leibold practically handed the ball to Toluca’s #10, Jesus Angulo. Angulo then slotted the ball home just 6 yards away from goal. This now digging SKC into a hole even after playing well in the first half.
Just when fans started heading up the stairs for halftime, Stephen Afrifa found himself a goal! This was not your average goal. Afrifa floated the ball over the hands of Goalkeeper, Tiago Volpi. This ball then perfectly hit the crossbar and bounced down into the goal! The game was now level at the break!
Just seconds after the second half started, Willy Agada had a perfect chance from a ball played by Johnny Russell. Willy took a first-time shot from the middle of the 6-yard box and sailed it over the bar. This was by far the best chance SKC had created outside of their goal thus far.
Toluca started grabbing some momentum. They created a few very good chances but the back line of Sporting KC stayed strong and defended passionately. This was until the 66th minute.
Toluca just absolutely cut up the defense of SKC. A ball was played across the top to Brian Garcia, he played a one-touch ball across the goal to find Maximiliano Araujo who sent Toluca ahead with twenty minutes to play.
In the 73rd minute, Logan Ndembe subbed in for the first time this season. He suffered an ACL tear in the playoffs last year against St Louis. He was welcomed onto the pitch by a standing ovation from Children’s Mercy Park. This was truly great to see.
This game got hot in the last twenty minutes. SKC created lots of chances but just couldn’t get a quality shot off. Many players and coaches on each team were very frustrated with the referee as well. It ended in favor of Toluca, 2-1. A very disappointing loss for SKC.
The next game for Sporting KC will be at Columbus for the round of 32. This game will take place on Friday, Aug 9.
