Sporting KC has made a habit of winning trophies in recent years, and they added another to their collection on Wednesday at the expense of the New York Red Bulls.
Goals from Latif Blessing and Daniel Salloi in either half were enough for Sporting KC, who lifted a fourth U.S. Open Cup crown at Children’s Mercy Park via a 2-1 win over the visiting Red Bulls. The win sees Peter Vermes push his record to 4-0 in knockout tournament finals while the Red Bulls remain trophyless in knockout competitions.
Blessing opened the scoring in the 25th minute, heading home on a Graham Zusi assist. From there, Sporting KC defended comfortably, relying on a total of six saves from Tim Melia and big plays from the veteran defense of Matt Besler and Ike Opara.
Salloi put the match out of reach in the second half, darting onto the end of a Benny Feilhaber longball before tapping a shot past an onrushing Ryan Meara. A late goal from Bradley Wright-Phillips added a bit of drama to stoppage time, but the Red Bulls saw a late free kick go off target, sealing their fate as Sporting KC earned the crown.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Credit to the entire Sporting KC defense, which stood tall aside from a late slip-up, but, once again, Tim Melia stepped up biggest, making six saves in the win.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Daniel Salloi’s finish all but ended the Red Bulls’ hopes while giving Sporting KC a two-goal cushion.
MATCH TO FORGET
Sal Zizzo was put on as a late sub against his old team and was promptly caught sleeping on the Salloi goal.
Where was Escobar on the second goal? Long and Muriilo both should have won the header on the first goal. Where were Lawrence or Escobar on the first goal? Zuzi had that entire side of the field to himself, with no pressure he hit a good cross which still should have been handled by Long or Murillio. This was a match where we really needed Royer or Grella. I thought both Sasha and Phillipe both player poorly, Tyler Adams and Sean Davis are growing and like most games Muyl adds little to no value. I barely remember Esobar doing anything for the entire match.
This one is on Marsch.
No, not for starting to Meara (even if Robles gets to one of those goals, id rather lose with the local kid that got us there) but for subbing our third best player, Kemar, in the 65th minute. And why did he sub him?? I can’t help but think Marsch was STILL thinking about the regular season and keeping Kemar rested for that. It’s like cmon Red Bulls! We still can’t fully commit to the Open Cup can we? And what does Kemar’s replacement do when he comes on: gives up the second goal. UGH
Tired of marsh playing Zizzo as a wibgback center back. Not his natural position and definitely should not be subbed in for me mad Lawrence.
Fire Marsh! His tactical mistakes cost us the open cup and there is a real possibility that we don’t make the playoffs with a very tough schedule ahead
Don’t know about that. The Red Bull’s are a good team with a lot a very good pieces in place,…all they need is a difference maker…think Villa, Giovinco, Valeri, Almiron. Head scratching why they don’t get on it and sign a player of that caliber. The sad thing is they have wasted the past 2 years with the belief that SK is an MVP caliber player and can get them over the hump in big games like last night. He is a good ‘cog-in-the-wheel.’ That is not a bad thing,…it’s just that he is not a match winner.
Hey Jesse Marsch. Sweet game plan. Stall and hope for PKs. How does Pete Vermes’ dick taste?
“Stall and hope for PKs” – I watched the game…there was no sign of that. Red Bull’s just weren’t good enough to win the game. Red Bull’s have a lot of thee pieces in place,…but they need a difference maker.