May 7, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Sporting Kansas City News Release
A resolute defensive performance propelled Sporting Kansas City (2-6-3, 9 points) to a 0-0 draw against New York City FC (4-3-2, 14 points) on Saturday evening at rain-drenched Citi Field in Queens, New York. New York City FC entered the chilly night on a torrid three-game winning streak that had produced 14 goals, but the reigning MLS Cup champions were stymied by a disciplined Sporting outfit that snapped its seven-match road losing streak dating back to 2021 and secured its third consecutive draw.
Goalkeeper Tim Melia collected his fourth shutout of the season and totaled three saves-reaching 600 regular season saves during his storied career in Kansas City-and Sporting picked up a valiant result ahead of Tuesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup clash versus FC Dallas at Children’s Mercy Park. The Round of 32 matchup will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT with tickets available at SeatGeek.com.
Diverting from his trademark 4-3-3 formation against Sky Blues, Sporting Manager Peter Vermes assembled his side in a 4-3-1-2 setup with captain Johnny Russell deployed as a central attacking midfielder behind forwards Daniel Salloi and Khiry Shelton. The midfield trio of Roger Espinoza, Remi Walter and Uri Rosell remained unchanged from last weekend’s 2-2 home draw with FC Dallas, while Sporting’s backline featured one fresh face as Academy product Cam Duke replaced the injured Graham Zusi.
A rip-roaring start saw Sporting nearly score twice within the first two minutes. Salloi dashed onto Melia’s booming delivery over the top and smashed a venomous volley that New York City gloveman Sean Johnson parried aside. On the ensuing corner kick, center back Kortne Ford latched onto Remi Walter’s in-swinging corner kick and glanced a header inches wide of the left post.
An end-to-end spectacle continued to unfold enticingly as NYCFC landed their first threat in the seventh minute. Right back Tayvon Gray was…
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