Who says you can’t go home?
Manassas, VA native C.J. Sapong headed a corner kick into the net in the 93rd minute to help Sporting Kansas City notch a 1-0 road victory over DC United. &nbsp;While KC had a majority of the possession and at times looked ready to take the lead throughout, this game seemed headed to a scoreless draw before the late goal. &nbsp;Despite the one goal, this was a game that had some excellent chances and if not for DC keeper Bill Hamid and some careless DC passing, this could have been a much higher scoring game.
The strategy going into the game by Sporting Kansas City was to attack the right wing. &nbsp;Playing the usual 4-3-3, Kei Kamara was constantly attacking DC left back Daniel Woolard and, for the most part, failed to create many quality chances. &nbsp;With the DC left consisting of a recovering from injury Chris Pontius and less experienced Woolard, this may have looked like the smart strategy. &nbsp;However, Kansas City’s best chance to score was late in the first half when Roger Espinoza fed a pass from the left wing to Kamara who skied over Woolard in front of the net to head a ball towards goal. &nbsp;Somehow DC keeper Bill Hamid was able to deflect it with his shoe top to keep the game scoreless.
The KC pressure got to the DC defense in the second half and multiple times the back four had top scramble to clear the visitor’s chances. &nbsp;However, starting forward Teal Bunbury himself failed to convert two good chances in the early second half and KC failed to crack Hamid. &nbsp;In the 75th minute head coach Peter Vermes swapped Bunbury for Sapong, who instantly made an impact and had a better presence than Bunbury. &nbsp;While Kansas City didn’t look like world beaters on the night, they didn’t need to in order to secure all three points. &nbsp;Their pressure offense created chances and their goal was the result of an opportunity created by their aggressive play – specifically Sapong forcing Brandon McDonald to drag him down just outside the box in the 91st minute. &nbsp;This free kick was deflected out which led to the corner. &nbsp;Sporting KC now travels home to face the Revolution and have a chance to grab some wins early while building their points total.
As for DC United, these statistics tell the tale: one shot on target, 65% passing accuracy, and 43.4% of the possession. &nbsp;The DC midfield struggled mightily against the KC defense to string together passes, and the result was a punchless DC attack that left reigning MVP Dwayne De Rosario silent for most of the night. &nbsp;Second half substitutions seemed to spark DC especially in the 88th minute when sub Maicon Santos skied an open shot after a great pass from De Rosario. &nbsp;However, these chances were few and far between and Jimmy Nielsen wasn’t forced to make a save until late in the second half. &nbsp;The best weapon for DC on the night was Andy Najar on the wing, who could use his speed and ball handling to create a little space for himself. &nbsp;However, his crosses once he found that space in the visitor’s end were poor and too often he tried to take on the defenders by himself.
On the night DC certainly looked like a squad integrating some new players. &nbsp;Coach Ben Olsen after the games noted that his team was rusty, both physically and mentally but fought through the fatigue. &nbsp;The DC schedule doesn’t get any easier with the team’s next game at Los Angeles, and the Black and Red could be facing an early hole. &nbsp;Certainly their midfield needs to protect possession more and create scoring opportunities for the forwards. &nbsp;The defense, while almost getting the clean sheet, cannot rely on Bill Hamid too much to keep providing cover for their mental errors. &nbsp;After fighting for a draw for most of the game, old ghosts haunted DC and cost them a point.

Sapong Late Goal Gives KC 1-0 Win Over DC

Sapong Late Goal Gives KC 1-0 Win Over DC - World Soccer Talk

If Sporting Kansas City’s season had a title, it would be “Night and Day”. &nbsp;A tough start to the season, no doubt spurred on by the never-ending road trip, saw the team open Livestrong Park and use its great atmosphere to rocket to the top of the Eastern Conference. &nbsp;Although they fell in the conference finals, the team has enough young players and talent that going into 2012, it has to be considered one of the favorites for the East.
So how can Sporting KC make this happen? &nbsp;Here are “Three Questions” that will define how KC enters the new season:
1. Who replaces Omar Bravo?
With <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/12/3316543/bravo-departs-sporting-for-cruz.html#storylink=misearch" target="_blank">Bravo’s departure to Cruz Azul</a>, Kansas City has two voids to fill, one that may be easier than the other. &nbsp;The first is replacing the Mexican’s production, which in 2011 was nine goals and two assists. &nbsp;While those are good numbers, Sporting had one of MLS’s most prolific offenses and the continued growth of players like Teal Bunbury and MLS Rookie of the Year CJ Sapong should replace those stats. &nbsp;What may be missed even more is his leadership. &nbsp;Bravo and Davy Arnaud split time as captains last season and both have left the team. &nbsp;Who replaces that leadership on the field is critical to this team moving forward, something that may be harder with so many young players. &nbsp;When the going gets tough, who will shoulder this team and carry them forward? &nbsp;Bravo certainly did.
2. Does the team’s offseason turnover make them a better team?
For a team that made a conference finals, the amount of turnover this offseason has been incredible. &nbsp;You can see the round-up of player moves <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/21/3331713/despite-the-changes-sporting-kansas.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but in essence the team got cheaper and younger. &nbsp;In addition, the departures of Omar Bravo and Jeferson frees up two designated player slots that could be used to make a big-impact signing (maybe in the midfield?). &nbsp;What has all of this shuffling brought them? &nbsp;The team picked up <a href="http://www.thedailywiz.com/2011/12/2/2605878/sporting-kansas-city-continues-off-season-overhaul-trade-for-bobby" target="_blank">veteran Bobby Convey from San Jose</a> to replace Bravo and made a trade with Chivas USA to nab Pablo Nagamura, who potentially could play the holding midfield spot. &nbsp;Their gamble leaving left back Seth Sinovic unprotected in the expansion draft led to the Davy Arnaud trade, which again freed up salary but lost them a veteran presence. &nbsp;With potentially a bunch of new starters and first choice subs, will the new guys adequately replace the old ones?
3. Can the defense hold?
We know the team can score, and even next year with its departures this team will put up goals in bunches. &nbsp;But can it stop opposing teams? &nbsp;While KC had the second best goals allowed amount in the East, their 40 for the year would have put them fifth in the Western Conference (although their goal difference would have put them third). &nbsp;As mentioned above, unless they use some of their money for a holding midfielder, that slot is going to Pablo Nagamura, who is an ok option to start but is injury prone. &nbsp;Another player who may miss time on the pitch but due to disciplinary reasons is starting center back Aurelien Collins (he of the 9 yellow cards and one red last season). &nbsp;This teams looks to be potentially a veteran defensive player signing away from having the back locked down and pushing this team to a higher level.

Is Sporting KC the Eastern Conference Favorites? Three Questions for KC

Is Sporting KC the Eastern Conference Favorites? Three Questions for KC - World Soccer Talk

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Sapong Late Goal Gives KC 1-0 Win Over DC

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Is Sporting KC the Eastern Conference Favorites? Three Questions for KC