MLS matches have a reputation for exciting finishes, but it was an outrageous beginning that set the tone for Sporting KC’s win against FC Dallas on Sunday afternoon at Children’s Mercy Park.
The Western Conference clash saw Sporting KC win 2-0 against Dallas, behind a strong effort by midfielder Benny Feilhaber.
In the 16th minute, Lawrence Olum sent a crisp back pass to Tim Melia, before the keeper cleared the ball off the line. Referee Jorge Gonzalez didn’t rule it a goal, but upon review it was obvious that the ball crossed the goal line (below). The dubious officiating continued later in the half, when Tesho Akindele was dragged down in the box on a breakaway but without a penalty call decision.
😐 😐 😐 #SKCvFCD pic.twitter.com/C9NwablTYs
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) June 19, 2016
Despite conceding these breakaways and Fabian Castillo rattling the post in the 30th minute, Sporting KC pulled off the victory after the international break. Feilhaber assisted Lawrence Olum’s opener in the 43rd minute and added a penalty kick goal himself in first-half stoppage time.
Yet another controversial decision from the referee stemmed from Feilhaber’s penalty. The veteran midfielder appeared to have gone down under very little contact on the play, which was just a few minutes after a possible missed FC Dallas handball that would have been a penalty.
MAN OF THE MATCH
A good performance has been a long time coming for Benny Feilhaber. His pinpoint assist to Lawrence Olum for the first goal eliminated the momentum FC Dallas had built up and his penalty kick led the way to the win.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
FC Dallas looked like grabbing an early lead in this game, which would have changed the game from an early stage. Tim Melia‘s 16th minute clearance which should have counted as a Dallas goal was certainly a defining moment in this match.
MATCH TO FORGET
After the early craziness in the game, Sporting KC actually created some chances which kept FC Dallas on its heels. FC Dallas playmaker Mauro Diaz struggled to get anything going for the road side and could have done better in the attack.