Sporting KC notes: Backups impress while starters rest

The decision for Sporting Kansas City to rest the bulk of its starters opened avenues for several reserves to play their most significant minutes of the season.

Defender Erik Palmer-Brown made his first appearance since July 24; forward Bernardo Anor made his first start since the opening weekend; midfielder Jordi Quintilla was in the starting lineup for the first time in his brief MLS career; and goalkeeper Jon Kempin appeared for only the third time this season.

“I thought Jordi and Mikey Lopez did a really good job. I thought they had good energy. I thought Jordi was really good on the ball and opened the game up quite a bit,” Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said. “Connor (Hallisey) again did a very good job. Erik Palmer-Brown and Kevin Ellis had a good relationship and didn’t give up too much in the back and were pretty smart on the ball for two really young guys. All the guys just did a good job.”

▪  Midfielder Paulo Nagamura will miss Sporting KC’s next MLS match — Saturday in Portland — after he was shown a yellow card in the first half, his fifth card of the season.

▪ Sporting KC was without Matt Besler, Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber either in the starting lineup or available off the bench for only the second time since 2009.

This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 11:39 PM with the headline "Sporting KC notes: Backups impress while starters rest."