MLS Regular Season
Score: Sounders FC 0 vs. Sporting Kansas City 1
Goal-scorers: Benny Feilhaber (PK - 84’)
Site: Sporting Park
Man of the Match: Wearing the captain’s armband in place of Brad Evans (who’s away on international duty with the USMNT), Zach Scott was a stout defensive presence for Sounders FC. Playing at centerback alongside Chad Marshall, Scott won headers in traffic and cleared out a number of Sporting KC attacks. The 34-year-old also nearly scored a goal of his own, getting a clean header on frame from Marco Pappa’s free kick in the first half.
Telling Stat: With Benny Feilhaber’s penalty in the 84th minute, SKC broke a 436-minute scoreless drought against Seattle that dated back to 2012. It was also the first goal Sounders FC has given up in the final 15 minutes of a match this season. Seattle and SKC have met 11 times in MLS play, and all 11 games were decided by one goal or less.
SKC beat the Sounders for the first time since April of 2009, when the clubs met during Seattle’s inaugural season. The Rave Green is now 7-2-2 all-time against SKC and 4-1-0 at Sporting Park.
What You Missed: The Sounders employed a 4-2-3-1 formation for the second time this season, with Lamar Neagle playing as the lone forward. Gonzalo Pineda returned to the lineup after missing two games with an ankle injury, lining up alongside Micheal Azira in the central midfield. Strikers Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins and Chad Barrett did not travel with the team to Kansas City.
After signing with the club earlier this week, 22-year-old midfielder Thomás made his Sounders FC debut Saturday night. The Brazilian replaced Pappa with 10 minutes remaining.
So What: Despite the loss, Sounders FC remains atop the Western Conference standings and two points ahead of Sporting. Starting next Saturday against FC Dallas, the Rave Green will play three home matches in eight days, including a Fourth-Round U.S. Open Cup match against the Portland Timbers at Starfire Stadium on June 16.
