Sporting KC remains winless after defeat at FC Dallas. But they’re no longer scoreless

Sporting Kansas City scored its first goal of the 2023 season but couldn’t bring home its first win.

Daniel Salloi finally broke Sporting KC’s season-opening scoreless streak, ending it at 281 minutes — 76 minutes shy of a club record set in 1999 — with a goal in the 11th minute.

But two second-half goals by FC Dallas were too much to overcome for Sporting KC, which twice came up short on second-half penalty kicks.

“We have two opportunities to score on penalties,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said. “You’re supposed to score those … at least 80% in your favor, and especially if you get two.”

On the goal that created a lead Sporting KC (0-2-2) held into the second half, Salloi picked up a loose ball at the top of the 18-yard box. He took one touch with the outside of his boot and ripped a shot that deflected off an FC Dallas defender, looped over the home goalkeeper, and settled into the net.

Salloi was happy about his goal in his post-match press conference, but the result left a sour taste in the Hungarian’s mouth.

“I’m happy about that (the goal), not about the result,” Salloi said. “Hopefully, the first win’s gonna come very soon because we can’t keep dropping points like this.”

FC Dallas got one back 10 minutes into the second half when Alan Velasco calmly curled a shot into the back of the net.

Sporting KC won a penalty shortly after conceding the equalizing goal. Ben Sweat’s perfect pass to Willy Agada gave him an opportunity 1v1. After Marten Paes felled Agada, the Nigerian striker stepped up to take his penalty, but it was saved by Paes.

VAR ruled that Paes had stepped off his line too early on the first penalty attempt, so Sporting sent Erik Thommy up for a retake. That attempt, too, was saved by Dallas.

In the 84th minute, after a poor giveaway by Sweat, FC Dallas’ Jesus Ferreira took an initial shot that was saved. But no Sporting defender followed the rebound and Ferreira was first to the ball, which he scored to give his team the lead.

Sporting KC thought it had won another penalty kick just before the 90th minute, but VAR ruled Felipe Hernandez was offside on the initial chance and called it back.

Sporting will be frustrated because, for the first 45 minutes, its backline had done an excellent job of stemming the tide of the FC Dallas attack. Dallas’ first goal came via a clever play leading to a brilliant finish from Dallas’ Argentine star.

But the penalty kick chances aside, Sporting KC’s attack didn’t create much. Salloi said they gave Dallas too much space.

“We dropped back too much, and this is a good team,” Salloi said. “They’re gonna create their chances.

“They scored two good goals, we missed our penalties and our chances. ... It’s not good enough.”

Sporting KC has earned just two points through four games this season. The team returns home next Saturday to host the Seattle Sounders at Children’s Mercy Park.

This story was originally published March 18, 2023 at 9:37 PM.