The game in 100 words (or less): As it turns out, there are plenty of goals in this Sporting Kansas City side, who entered Sunday’s clash with the Colorado Rapids with the league’s worst goals total (two goals from four games). What transpired against last season’s stingiest defensive side (32 goals conceded in 34 games) defied all logic. Seth Sinovic, Gerso Fernandes and Dom Dwyer each scored their first goal of 2017, as Tim Melia, Matt Besler, Ike Opara (who was exceptional with his one-on-one defending all game long) and Co. kept their fourth clean sheet in five games came within 90 seconds of their fourth clean sheet in five games, only to be undone by a stoppage-time penalty converted by Kevin Doyle. Alas, they’ve now conceded two goals in five games, and look a genuine contender in the Western Conference. Sporting KC remain one of three teams still undefeated (FC Dallas and Toronto FC) on the season. Decent company, that is.
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Three Four moments that mattered
6' — Sinovic slams home from close range — Gerso Fernandes played the wicked ball across the face of goal, and Colorado dealt with the initial threat. Problem is: Sinovic was crashing the back post as a secondary target.
Finally.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 9, 2017
158 games later, Sinovic scores his first-ever MLS regular season goal. #SKCvCOL https://t.co/jK0JEkzsUw
44' — Badji climbs over Zusi, but Melia makes a stunning save — Dominique Badji pulled off what’s affectionately known as “the Darren Mattocks,” but Tim Melia was all over it, rushing across the face of goal to make the stop at the back post.
HT: This clutch Melia save kept @SportingKC ahead just before the break: https://t.co/YVG9ix30RN #SKCvCOL https://t.co/9mihrTX19T
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 10, 2017
58' — Gerso slots past Howard for 2-0 — The build-up was quick and smooth in midfield, from Dom Dwyer to Roger Espinoza, and the through ball was perfect. Tim Howard will update his scouting report on Fernandes: “Don’t let him have that shot with his left foot.”
What a counter. What a goal. #SKCvCOL https://t.co/sn0fFys1CQ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 10, 2017
85' — Dwyer finishes another quick counter for 3-0 — Much like Sporting’s second goal, Dwyer’s clincher was equally easy on the eyes, as three passes unlocked the entire Rapids team and covered the entire field.
A weight off his shoulders.@Ddwyer14 get his first goal of the season. #SKCvCOL https://t.co/tbp70Gfpse
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 10, 2017
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Man of the match: Ike Opara
Goalscorers: Sinovic (6'), Fernandes (58'), Dwyer (85'), Doyle (90+4')