Toronto FC may have a new head coach in Paul Mariner, but Sporting Kansas City made sure he got off to a losing start.
Sporting Kansas City ruined Mariner's debut match in charge of Toronto FC, picking up a 2-0 victory courtesy of first-half goals from C.J. Sapong and Julio Cesar at Livestrong Sporting Park on Saturday night. The result dropped Toronto to 1-10 on the year while Sporting KC moved into second place in the Eastern Conference at 9-3-1.
Sapong opened the scoring in the 18th minute when he got on the end off a cross from Jacob Peterson and one-timed a curling shot into the top corner of the net. Julio Cesar added the insurance goal 10 minutes before halftime, scoring his first of the season with a splendid volleyed effort off a corner kick.
Here are the match highlights:
What do you think of Sporting Kansas City's win over Toronto FC? Think Sporting KC will regain first place in the East before long? Still believe Mariner will help turn things around at TFC?
Share your thoughts below.
Sapong is the black puma
Quite unlucky. But I thought he was a good 3 yards offside when the ball was played too.
I wasn’t saying Serioux didn’t do a good color. I didn’t hear anything but what was on TV. I was just saying that his expectation that Toronto would play more ‘attractive’ was not born out by the rather anti-football 1st half they put together, including several nasty kicks to Zusi’s shins (a couple well behind the play).
I was about 30yards from the shot (section 131, on the same side as the play), I thought he pointed at his instep. But I think he was joking after the way he missed brutally on the earlier volley attempt, plus the one in the highlights he missed from 2 yards in Andy Cole fashion.
How unlucky is Eric Avila to not have that shot that pinged not one but two posts not go in?
I had the Toronto broadcast and I thought Adrian Serioux was VERY good as the color guy.
Did you watch Cesar after he hit that? He ran over to the sidelines and pointed to his shin. When you watch it in slow mo, it looks like he hit it too high and just got lucky. That being said, what a phenomenal goal.
1 other thought… the announcers said Toronto would play positive, and in the 2nd half they did. But they were VERY negative to start, including kicking Zusi around the park.
I was at this game. A few notes:
1) Livestrong is a great place to watch a match. Real energy that KC has never had before.
2) Julio Cesar’s goal was a dream strike. Perfect service from Zusi, finished impeccably. Funny because a few minutes earlier, he’s turned a volley into a throw-in. But if it’s not Goal of the Week, I want to know what is.
3) Sapong is hard for me to decide. His goal was a good finish, not spectacular. But I think there were other times he could’ve been in better position. Maybe he develops into a MNT player, but I wouldn’t say he’s one yet.
How is CJ Sapong? Is he a real possibility for the MNT or a 1-trick pony or forever MLS player. I haven’t seen him but he seems promising.
Bobo says Bobo sad for Toronto FC fans.
Bobo says TFC will loose 10 games in row with Marriner.
Bobo says they fire him like Winter come September. Bobo predict that Seasons Tickets will be lowest in league sales for league next year. Bobo predicts great hand wringing by MLS HQ that Ives will write good stories about.
Bobo like Ives writing about league.
Julio Cesar’s goal was world class.