(Photo Credit: Nick Yahl- Arch City Sports)
The fourth round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup took place last night at Sporting Park in Kansas City. The matchup featured cross state teams Saint Louis FC of the USL and Sporting Kansas City of the MLS.
Not in the lineup to start the game was leading Saint Louis goal scorer Bryan Gaul, who was ejected in the teams last US Open match against Minnesota United FC for “kicking” an opponent while on the ground.
In the opening half the home team appeared to have the game under control knocking the ball around and showing its superiority over the less talented Saint Louis FC. Though the visitors remained strong throughout the first half on the defensive side of the ball limiting Sporting to just three shots and only one on net.
In the 17th minute Dom Dwyer had a great opportunity as he struck a beautiful shot, which slapped off the crossbar and was eventually cleared by the Saint Louis defense.
Saint Louis responded in the 30th minute as Jermie Lynch broke off a run down the right side. He attempted a cross accros Kansas City’s net, but Jamiel Hardware was unable to capitalize.
Sporting upped the tempo and controlled the ball for the remainder of the half using the whole field well. Kansas City nearly put itself ahead in stoppage time as Graham Zusi fired off a shot, but Mike Ambersley was able to clear it out of danger and send the two teams into half tied 0-0.
Kansas City opened up the second half with an opportunity to take the lead as Zusi lined up for a free kick from 40-yards out, but Saint Louis’ Brandon Barklage was able to knock it away. Sporting then began exploiting the Saint Louis defense by quickening the pace and technicality of its passing.
A controversial moment came in the 55th minute as Zusi was taken down inside the Saint Louis box, but no card was given. Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes was critical of the referee’s afterwards for missing the call.
“If you look at the actions in the box. He’s got to call a penalty for Zusi and the penalty at the end for Marcel De Jong. Both situations changed the game,” said Vermes.
Saint Louis’ best chance of the match came in the 61st minute as Patrick Doody powered his way down the side line. His cross sent towards the head of Lynch sailed off of Lynch and went well over the bar.
In the 70th minute the home team finally prevailed as Zusi knocked in a header for his third goal of the season and second in US Open Cup play to put Sporting KC ahead 1-0.
Saint Louis tried its best to create a chance late, but sloppy passing prevented it from getting any real opportunity. The away side only had two shots all game, neither of which went on net, despite having quite a few positive opportunities.
With the victory Sporting advances to play a team, yet to be determined in the round of 16 on either June 30 or July 1.
Afterwards Saint Louis head coach Dale Schilly talked about what it was like playing against an MLS team.
“When these guys are performing, they’re playing at a higher technical level and a higher athletic level. It’s hard for our guys to make that adjustment without seeing it regularly and we can’t recreate that in training because our guys aren’t quite to that level yet,” said Schilly.
Aside from the game itself one of the bigger story lines is the possibility of Saint Louis and Kansas City becoing MLS rivals down the road. Sam Fink said of the fans, “To look up there and see that many people screaming over the thousands of KC fans, you could still hear them through minute 90. It was something special and you want to fight for that, you want to play for that.”
The atmosphere of Sporting Park amongst a sell out crowd of 19,298 was one that rivaled an MLS match. The record crowd was the largest for a fourth round match in US Open Cup history and had a more exhilarating feeling than an MLS match. If St. Louis ever were to get an MLS team it could certainly be something special to share with cross state brethren.
Nick Yahl on Twitter
Crowd for tonights @SaintLouisFC v @SportingKC game: 19,298. Largest in history for 4th round game of #USOpenCup @USL @MLS
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