Newcomers lead Sporting Kansas City past visiting Los Angeles Galaxy for 4-2 victory

When referee Michael Radchuk walked away from the review monitor and awarded a goal to Sporting Kansas City in the 40th minute, Willy Agada wheeled away from the middle of the field in celebration, jumping on Sporting manager Peter Vermes, grabbing him by the neck and planting a kiss on Vermes’ right cheek.

When asked if he had ever been kissed on the cheek by a player before, Vermes responded, “I’ve never been strangled.

“He came running and he wanted to jump and for me catch him,” Vermes said. “I’m a decently fit guy, but I don’t know if I was catching that.”

It was a moment of unbridled joy that characterized Sporting KC’s first-half performance on Saturday evening at Children’s Mercy Park.

Sporting went up 3-0 thanks to a spectacular goal from Erik Thommy and two more from Agada. The Galaxy cut the difference to one, 3-2, but Daniel Salloi’s excellent press helped seal a 4-2 victory for Sporting (6-14-5).

Vermes knew Agada’s celebration was coming: The newly acquired SKC player had promised he’d run to his coach if he found the net. The celebration on Agada’s second goal was a flip while running to the corner, sparing Vermes the second time around.

“The important thing is the three points, you know — team-first, always,” Agada said. “It’s more fun when you go back home with a goal, but I’m so excited. Amazing fans. I feel the love, and I hope to keep putting a smile on the face of the fans, all of the time like this.”

Vermes lauded his squad’s fighting effort, specifically on the goals from Agada and winger Salloi, calling them opportunistic.

“That’s the thing that I’m proud of,” Vermes said. “It’s a deserving result when you get good concentration in the game.”

Thommy — like Agada, brought to KC during the recent summer-transfer window — got the scoring started just 10 minutes in. Roger Espinoza played a perfect pass to Thommy, who took the ball off his chest and volleyed a shot past the Galaxy’s Jonathon Bond.

Agada’s first goal came when he just barely got a rebound from his initial saved header over the line. The play was reviewed extensively by VAR and the match referee before the goal was awarded.

Minutes later, Graham Zusi’s pass over the top found the run of Salloi, who passed across the face of the goal to Agada to make it 3-0 for Sporting KC.

The first-half outburst gave Sporting some breathing room. It turned out to be breathing room SKC needed, as the Galaxy got two goals back. But Salloi was able to ice it late for the hosts.

The victory snapped Sporting KC’s five-match home losing streak in MLS competition and helped Sporting escape last place on the table, at least for a night.

Sporting KC players were happy to bring some joy to their supporters.

“It’s a tough year, and we understand that fans are angry,” Salloi said. “I can say one thing: We are angrier.

“If it annoys somebody more than the fans, then it’s us players. We’re fighting. We are out there every weekend and we’re putting everything out there. We appreciate everybody who comes out and supports us. We’re trying to not let them down and get more and more wins. This is MLS. Anything can happen. We’re still pushing.”

Sporting KC travels to Texas, for a game next Saturday against Austin FC. The rematch of last week’s game in KC is set to kick off at 8 p.m. Central Time.

This story was originally published August 6, 2022 at 10:11 PM with the headline "Newcomers lead Sporting Kansas City past visiting Los Angeles Galaxy for 4-2 victory."