Bale scores the dagger as LAFC beats Sporting KC at steamy Children’s Mercy Park

Sometimes, star power is the difference in soccer. And there’s no question that Gareth Bale is a star.

The weather was hot and so were the visitors as LAFC beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 in a Saturday evening match at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

Bale’s second-half shot, his first in Major League Soccer since signing with LAFC, was the dagger. With the visitors already staked to a 1-0 lead thanks to Chucho Arango’s strike in the 56th minute, the 33-year-old former Real Madrid stalwart and Welsh football legend doubled the advantage in the 83rd minute.

“We actually played really well for so many parts of the game, and so much of the game,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said. “But at the end, when you are naive and you give away the second goal the way we do, which is absolutely ridiculous, you should be embarrassed of that.

“I am, and I’m the coach. I’m not even on the field.”

Sporting KC (5-13-5) led in possession yet couldn’t create the type of opportunities that LAFC (14-4-3) did. Some of that comes down to star power.

But Vermes clearly was upset at the manner in which the two goals for LAFC were scored, lamenting his own players’ lack of defensive focus and intensity.

“I say this all the time, and I don’t use it lightly, when I talk about every roll of the ball, I mean every roll of the ball,” Vermes said. “You have to be locked. The second you’re not, the other team capitalizes. And they did.”

Sporting had made a few substitutions, going with a more youthful team through the spine and at full-back. It was in those key moments, on both goals, that Sporting’s own youth got the best of them.

“In those moments, too many guys were on the field that played young tonight,” Vermes said. “And I think that’s the difference in the game.”

Erik Thommy, one of Sporting’s two summer acquisitions, made his debut and played well. He started the game and was involved early, taking KC’s first corner kick of the night.

“(The fans) welcomed me really warm,” Thommy said after the game. “I went in and I had goosebumps. That makes me feel that I’m right here, that I’m in the right place.”

The 27-year-old German showed on multiple occasions why Sporting had wanted him, helping link the midfield into the final third and even combining well with Sporting KC winger Daniel Salloi.

“Thommy has certain qualities that even Gadi Kinda brings where he’s going forward,” Vermes said, referencing one of his team’s two injured international designated players. “He’s elusive. He gets into the attacking third and he’s looking for things.”

Sporting’s other recent signing, Willy Agada, subbed into the mix during the second half.

“The atmosphere was amazing, especially the fans,” Agada said. “They’re here today to support us, to cherish us, and hopefully we’ll bring the smile back to their face.”

Making his return from a shoulder injury, Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia was subbed off due to a hamstring injury. And Sporting KC used a concussion substitution on Felipe Hernandez after his collision with LAFC’s Kellyn Acosta.

It was Sporting KC’s fourth home loss in a row. Now, the team has a short turnaround before its next match, at the USL Championship’s Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The winner advances to play for the tournament championship.

This story was originally published July 23, 2022 at 9:37 PM with the headline "Bale scores the dagger as LAFC beats Sporting KC at steamy Children’s Mercy Park."