Behind the best backstop of 2017, Long Islander Tim Melia and former NYCFC player Khiry Shelton KC is now alone atop the Western COnference by 4 points. Peter Vermes rumored last yer to being upstairs now has his 150th win with KC and his name is still knocking around for the USMNT HC position.
By the #'s. KC listed first:
Shots: 24 & 10
Shots on Goal: 7 & 2
Saves: 2 & 4
Fouls: 15 & 18
Offisides:1 & 2
Corners 4 & 2
Daniel Sallois found the back of the net 16 minutes in as SKC were able to hold on for the win. Wed. as KC goes to Atlanta United, it is a matchup of the top teams in the Supporters Shield Standings. With only one alteration to the last starting lineup, a 1-0 loss to the Revs., Vermes may just be onto something. Cristian Lobato was inserted at left back, his last start had been way back on March 4 and Jimmy Medrando took over from Yohan Croizet at midfield. Roger Espinoza made his 200th regular season appearance for KC, only the 9th player to do so. Matt Besler was honored with his bobble head night as he now has 250 MLS games and he drove a ball that Opara then put across the goal, Shelton made a diving header that careened off the post and Salloi roofed it, marking the first time Colorodo let up a goal in the first half for the season. Daniel was looking for the insurance goal and brace at 30 minutes as again Shelton used his head to get it to him, he hit a bomb from the left but again the frame turned back a shot, this followed very close a great effort by Johnny Russell that was saved by Tim Howard at the top of the box. Colorado would struggle to get anything going on the offense but in the 23rd minute Dominique Badji and just put one wide, then Tommy Smith was a bit too high with the header of a great cross from Jack Price. Opara got a great pass from Salloi ocross the goal mouth but his stretching attempt was blocked by Smith. KC had 16 shots in the 2nd half, peppering Colorado. Russell was a force near the box as he set up Salloi in the 48th minute then megged Danny Wilson but Howard with the reflex save kept it close just 3 minutes later. Again it was Howard coming up big at the 66 minute mark as he covered up the Graham Zusi worm burner from Russell. At the 60th minute Russell still was denied, taking Medranda's ball from the top of the box only to have WIlson send it off at the line. Colorado have only 1 win over their last 22 away games yet with just 10 minutes to play they just missed as Badji broke on goal, needing only to get past the 'keeper, however he pushed his shot just wide. The closing of the game had Saloi hit his shot #'s 7 & 8, first was a 20 yard chip, beating Howard but not in as it was headed of the line by Smith. Shelton and Illie combined to spring saloi but the short was just wide at the far post.