Sporting Falls 4-1 to Seattle

March 25, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Sporting Kansas City News Release

Sporting Kansas City (0-3-2, 2 points) fell 4-1 to Seattle Sounders FC (3-1-1, 10 points) on Saturday night at Children’s Mercy Park.

Forward Willy Agada lifted Sporting into an early lead with his first goal of the season, but Seattle replied emphatically as U.S. international Jordan Morris scored four unanswered goals-three of which were assisted by winger Leo Chu-as the Sounders snapped their 10-game road winless skid dating back to last July.

Manager Peter Vermes fielded an unchanged lineup from last weekend’s road loss to FC Dallas, marking the first time Sporting has deployed the same XI in consecutive matches since last August. At the forefront, seven-time MLS All-Star Graham Zusi logged his 400th appearance for Sporting in all competitions, becoming Kansas City’s first player to hit that milestone, while Daniel Salloi played his 150th regular season match and fellow forward Khiry Shelton eclipsed 100 regular season appearances for the club.

On the bench, Sporting’s depth was bolstered by the welcome returns of forward Johnny Russell and goalkeeper Tim Melia-both of whom had recovered from preseason injuries-as well as Mexican striker Alan Pulido, the club’s prized Designated Player who had been sidelined for the last 15 months recovering from knee surgery.

Buoyed by a buzzing home crowd, Sporting drew first blood inside five minutes. Salloi, who entered the weekend ranking third in MLS in shot attempts, swiftly cut past Cristian Roldan and Josh Atencio on the left edge of the box before smashing low to force a save from Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei at the near post. Agada, however, was on hand to cannon the rebound into the roof of the net for his eighth in as many starts at Children’s Mercy Park since joining the club last summer.

Agada has now scored each of his last two goals in home appearances against Seattle, having bagged the winner in a 1-0 decision last October. The scoring play clocked in as Sporting’s earliest regular season tally since Remi Walter struck in the fourth minute of a 2-1 road victory at Seattle on Oct. 23, 2021.

Seattle equalized in the 23rd minute off a break down the left flank. Galloping at full stride, Chu fizzed a low delivery across the face of goal for Morris to slot home at close range, breaking Sporting’s 235-minute home shutout streak dating back to Sept. 17, 2022.

The final 45 minutes belonged to the visitors. Morris notched his…