After beginning the 2017 Major League Soccer season with two goalless draws, Sporting Kansas City FC ended the two draw-streaks on Saturday, outclassing and eventually beating the previous undefeated Earthquakes 2-1 at the Children's Mercy Park. SKC playmaker Benny Feilhaber ended his side's 2017 campaign goal drought by sending home a brilliant drive in the 37th minute that beat San Jose Earthquakes goalie David Bingham. Just minutes remaining to the end of the encounter, the SKC doubled their lead in the game thanks to a David Bingham's 89th-minute own goal.
However, the Earthquakes got their consolatory goal in the 93rd minute when forward Florian Jungwirth tapped home from close-range.
Benny's brilliant goal reopen chance for USMNT call-up
After being overlooked by the USMNT handlers for the upcoming 2018 CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, Benny Feilhaber's beautiful finish on Saturday offered-a-taste of reconsideration for him of what USMNT coach Bruce Arena will miss by excluding the dynamic player. Only a few players in the Major League Soccer have the solid techniques to score such a brilliant goal as Benny Feilhaber bagged his first goal of the 2017 year with what will certainly be a top contender for the MLS Goal of the Week award.
Dwyer's lack of love from the referee
Speaking of potential USMNT players, Sporting Kansas City FC forward Dom Dwyer was with his habitual pesky self on Saturday afternoon, ardently working hard without the ball in leading Sporting Kansas City's line-of-pressure throughout the game. Dom Dwyer will look back on the game footage and probably feel frustrated in his lackadaisical attitude of love from the officiating crew, as the team's talisman set up two early chances in the first-half that might have resulted to a penalty kick on a different way.
Earthquakes putting up five shots in full 90 minutes
After putting up a total of 18 shots in their opening-season and 21 shots in their second game, the Earthquakes saw a noticeable decrease on Saturday in Kansas City, as they only managed to put up five shots throughout 90 minutes of the match. Attributed to the resilience and stifling Sporting Kansas holding midfield, or should I say lack of creative ideas from the Earthquakes? Well, it wasn't their day in Kansas City.
