Sporting Falls 2-1 to New England

April 22, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Sporting Kansas City News Release

Captain Johnny Russell scored his 50th career goal in MLS competitions on Saturday night as Sporting Kansas City (0-6-3, 3 points) fell 2-1 to Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution (6-1-2, 20 points) at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

After New England took a two-goal lead behind Giacomo Vrioni’s first-half brace, Sporting produced a spirited fightback as Russell struck in the 50th minute on a set piece assist from fellow winger Daniel Salloi. Despite being reduced to 10 men on a 61st-minute red card to Andreu Fontas, Sporting nearly conjured a late equalizer when Felipe Hernandez’s venomous blast in the 90th minute was touched onto the post by New England goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

Manager Peter Vermes made four changes to Sporting’s lineup from last weekend, including three changes along the backline as Fontas replaced the suspended Robert Castellanos, Cam Duke replaced the injured Graham Zusi and Logan Ndenbe landed his 2023 debut in place of Robert Voloder. Hernandez also made way for fellow midfielder Roger Espinoza, who notably earned his 300th career start in MLS competitions. On Sporting’s bench, Designated Player Gadi Kinda was part of the club’s matchday squad for the first time since Nov. 28, 2021, after recovering from knee surgery.

Visiting Gillette Stadium for the first time since April 2018, Sporting began brightly by manufacturing the game’s first chance inside three minutes. Mexican striker Alan Pulido split New England’s midfield lines, galloped goalward and spread the ball centrally to Erik Thommy, who played a first-time pass to Salloi on the left side of the box. The Hungarian international took a settling touch and unleashed a deflected shot that forced Petrovic into a reflex save.

New England quickly responded with a pair of fleeting opportunities at the opposite end. Eighteen-year-old winger Esmir Bajraktarevic planted a header over the crossbar off Emmanuel Boateng’s cross before Vrioni tried his luck with a strike that lacked the power and placement to beat veteran goalkeeper Tim Melia.

Vrioni would not be denied in the 31st minute, as the Italian-born striker lifted New England ahead by finishing off an incisive attack catalyzed by Boateng and Revolution captain Carles Gil. He doubled his tally just four minutes later on another play involving Gil, whose initial shot was saved well by Melia before Vrioni tucked home the…