Sporting KC takes early lead … but Jordan Morris erupts in lopsided Seattle win
Despite an early lead, Sporting KC were unable to overcome multiple self-inflicted wounds on Saturday.
Jordan Morris scored four goals for Seattle Sounders in Sporting’s 4-1 loss. Two came after Ben Sweat received his second yellow card in 10 minutes, causing Kansas City to downplay a man.
Peter Vermes sounded frustrated with the result in the press conference after the game.
“I’m more pissed off than anything,” Vermes said. “(We made) very naïve mistakes.”
Morris might have scored four goals, but all of them seemed avoidable in one way or another. Vermes lamented the backline’s play and hinted at changes ahead as Dany Rosero arrives from Colombia and other players start to recover.
“I’m very interested in bringing all the other guys back because some people need to watch the game from a different location,” Vermes said.
Sporting Kansas City, without a win in five games this season, took the lead within the first five minutes. Willy Agada cleaned the rebound from Daniel Salloi’s first shot and put it in the roof of the net. But Sporting KC never really threatened after that.
The Sounders’ first goal came out of nowhere when Leo Chu put in a perfectly weighted cross down Jordan Morris’s run, who slid his shot past KC goaltender John Pulskamp.
Morris put the Sounders ahead in the 54th minute and they never looked back. After a set piece created by a sweat foul in the corner, Morris found space behind Sporting KC’s defensive line and was wide open to receive a through ball. He was held to one side by Sweat, who was a few paces behind the rest of his line.
Minutes later, Sweat received his second yellow card for rolling over a Sounders player in midfield while trying to get at a loose ball. Vermes thought Sweat’s first challenge could have even warranted a red card.
It was clear that Sweat’s 10-minute stretch – yellow card, Morris on the side by some distance and then a careless second yellow card – was a sticking point for Vermes.
“When you have experience, you have to use it,” Vermes said. “Experience means nothing if you don’t use it.”
After Sweat hit the showers, Morris scored two more, both with crosses at the back post.
Next up, Sporting KC head out next Saturday to take on the Philadelphia Union. Vermes said he’s looking for a response from the team.
“I’m more interested in seeing what the reaction is,” Vermes said. “It’s not the time for the coach to tease you. You should already have that in you.”
Captain Johnny Russell agreed with Vermes’ assessment. When asked what the team could tell fans now, Russell gave a thoughtful response.
“We want to get this club back to where we think they should be: top of the table, challenging things, winning trophies,” said Russell. “This club is used to that.
“It doesn’t feel good to be part of a team at the moment that doesn’t live up to those expectations. They ask that of us, you know? It’s their club. They show up week after week to get behind us. So it’s about time we pay that back and show them something.”
Originally published