Sporting KC get revenge with win over St. Louis City SC. More on Saturday’s comeback
Entering Saturday night’s match, the biggest question was how Sporting KC would respond to an embarrassing defeat in the club’s initial meeting with I-70 rival St. Louis City SC. That resolve was tested even further when Sporting trailed by a goal in the 22nd minute.
But Sporting fought back, riding two first-half goals from Alan Pulido to notch the club’s first victory over St. Louis 2-1.
“I think that tells the story of the group,” said manager Peter Vermes. “It’s good to see because there (was) a real intensity and aggressiveness from the group that I think was evident tonight.”
Similar to KC’s 4-0 defeat the last time the teams met, St. Louis delivered the first blow — and quickly.
After Sporting’s Felipe Gutierrez lost possession, St. Louis advanced up the pitch with a long pass forward to Samuel Adeniran. Adeniran dribbled all the way into the box and unleashed a powerful effort into the bottom corner.
Sporting, which held a 1-8-2 record when conceding first this season, bucked that trend.
“I thought the way we bounced back was huge,” captain Johnny Russell said. “That’s the team (at the) top of the conference, and we’ve shown we can bounce back in that game.”
Indeed, fewer than 10 minutes after falling behind, Sporting responded with a goal
Sporting’s Erik Thommy initially had a pass intercepted, but he recovered the ball and dribbled away from the goal. He somehow noticed Daniel Salloi despite being surrounded by a crowd of St. Louis defenders and lofted the ball to his teammate, who had acres of space.
Salloi slid the ball across the box to Pulido, who tapped in a shot to level the score.
Pulido finished off yet another wonderful effort just before halftime. Jake Davis gained possession out wide and dribbled through multiple St. Louis defenders before sending the ball back to Pulido, who finished expertly.
Still, the match wasn’t over. St. Louis subbed on two of its best players, and Sporting needed to defend the lead for the ensuing 45 minutes plus stoppage time.
“I think you could see the hunger, the desire,” Russell said. “Every single guy was out there fighting for each other.”
Sporting defended St. Louis much more effectively than in their first meeting, but the offense was just as crucial.
Pulido, who was brought in to be an offensive force when Sporting paid a club-record transfer fee for him in 2020, delivered in one of his biggest matches at Children’s Mercy Park.
“I am very happy for these two goals,” Pulido said. “All the time I say, ‘If I score but the team doesn’t win, I’m not happy.’ (This) is a very good night because I scored, and the team won.”
The victory moved Sporting KC to 8-11-8 on the season — and with 32 points, the club sits in 11th place, just two points out of a playoff spot.
The season series between Sporting KC and St. Louis isn’t over yet, either. The two will face off one more time later this month at CITYPARK in St. Louis.
Next up: Sporting KC will head to Miami to face a depleted Inter Miami team on Saturday night. Inter Miami will be without more than five of the club’s regulars, including international superstar Lionel Messi, who is expected to be with the Argentina national squad.
This story was originally published September 2, 2023 at 10:14 PM.