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Sporting Kansas City may have only scored one goal in its 1-0 victory Saturday over DC United, but the team’s offense dominated from beginning to end.
Possession seemingly never swayed DC United’s way, and it felt like every minute Kansas City was threading a new pass or finding a chance. Sporting finished with 22 shots, and despite only one of those connecting, manager Peter Vermes was pleased with how the attack flowed.
“We had great possession in the game,” he said. “I think we moved the ball really well. Our position and allocation all over the field both in keeping the ball, creating chances, and also being in great spots where when we lost the ball to get it back quickly. It was very good.”
Khiry Shelton is not dead in the water
Shelton, who Sporting acquired in the offseason from New York City FC, has been quiet thus far this season. And he still didn’t make overwhelming noise in the Week 5 match. But he was markedly more aggressive Saturday, moving with more decisiveness around the goal and doing a better job of creating chances. Midway through the second half, he outran the defense, headed the ball forward and took a shot off the ball he’d fed himself. DC United goalkeeper David Ousted batted it away, and Shelton got off another header attempt that went wide.
He might not have scored yet this season, but Shelton is making himself more and more visible.
Patience is the key with this defense
It’s no secret Sporting Kansas City fans were restless after the team allowed nine goals in its first five matches. They’re used to concrete defense, and the early porousness was surprising. But the team got back to its normal ways Saturday, posting its first shutout of the year against DC United, 1-0.
This year’s defense is made up of virtually the same players as last season, so it may seem strange that we’re waiting on the group to gel again. But now five matches into the season, patience is paying off, and Sporting is looking more like its normal, defensive self.