Pulido, Salloi lead way as Sporting Kansas City claims road victory over FC Dallas
Winger Daniel Salloi continued his torrid assault on opposing defenses and striker Alan Pulido scored for the third time in his last three starts, leading Sporting Kansas City to a 2-0 road victory at FC Dallas Saturday night in Frisco, Texas.
It was Sporting KC’s sixth road win of the season, moving the club into the MLS Western Conference lead, and snapped Dallas’ 18-game undefeated streak.
Sporting KC’s 6-3-1 record away from Children’s Mercy Park — tied with New England for most road wins in MLS — includes recent quality victories at Seattle and against both L.A. teams.
“I think it’s obvious that it shows our strength,” Salloi said. “I think teams winning on the road is always very important. Long-term I think that’s what makes teams champions, so we’re on the right track.”
Sporting sits two points clear of the L.A. Galaxy in the Western Conference race, and currently ranks second in the Supporters Shield standings.
And Sporting got things rolling early against Dallas Saturday, which coach Peter Vermes was eager to see following his side’s 2-1 loss to Dallas two weeks ago — Sporting’s only defeat at home this season.
Pulido’s 12th-minute goal, his eighth of the year, was crucial. After receiving the ball from Gadi Kinda, the Mexican forward slipped behind the Dallas defense and fired a first-time left-footer past goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer. Pulido now has 20 combined goals (14) and assists (6) in just 21 starts in a KC uniform.
Dallas re-emerged from the locker room for the second half looking tough. Young star Ricardo Pepi smashed a shot off the post and Szabolcs Schon ricocheted one off the underside of the bar, all within a five-minute span.
But Salloi doubled Sporting’s lead in the 63rd minute. He took a low cross from Johnny Russell in the Dallas box and squeezed the ball through Nkosi Burgess’ legs before sending it into the roof of the net.
“That actually felt really good, hitting that ball,” Salloi said. “I’m very happy that that gave us the two-goal lead. Honestly, I think we needed it.”
The goal was Salloi’s 11th of the season, tying him for the MLS lead. He now has 17 goals across all competitions in 2021.
“Quite honestly, he’s a little bit untouchable right now,” Russell said. “Everything that he’s hitting is going in.”
By game’s end, the match devolved into a scrappy contest marred by heavy fouls and six yellow cards shown to the hosts.
“We knew we were going to have to grind it out,” Russell said, “and we just showed again tonight what we’ve shown in previous away games, that we’re up for any challenge.”
This story was originally published August 14, 2021 at 9:38 PM with the headline "Pulido, Salloi lead way as Sporting Kansas City claims road victory over FC Dallas."