Memo Rodriguez’s goal and assist, plus two first-half goals from William Agada, gave Sporting Kansas City a 3-2 home win over FC Dallas Sunday night.
In the 82nd minute, off a defensive stop in the 18-yard-box, Rodriguez shot the ball at full speed. The game-winner gave SKC (5-13-5, 20 points) its third win in its last four home matches. For FC Dallas (6-11-5, 23 points), it makes its fight for a playoff spot more difficult, now seven points off the playoff line.
The win didn’t come without late drama for SKC. In second-half stoppage time, Zorhan Bassong attempted to block a throw-in by Paul Arriola. The Dallas star threw the ball off the face of Bassong, who responded by knocking Arriola to the ground. Bassong received a red card for violent conduct.
Since Sunday was the third match for each team in a week, Sporting Kansas City made seven lineup changes from its Thursday defeat against the Colorado Rapids. FC Dallas made six after a late winner against the Portland Timbers.
Even with all the lineup changes leading into Sunday’s match, Sporting Kansas City controlled the first half offensively and in the 11th minute, Agada headed a corner kick from Rodriguez off the ground and into the net.
Twelves minutes later, Agada scored his second, this time off a cross in the run of play by Alenis Vargas. It gave SKC a two-goal lead halfway through the first half. The two goals give Agada seven goals on the season, all coming at home. However, a mistake by Agada put FC Dallas in the match.
In SKC’s defensive half, Agada turned to send a pass to the backline. Instead, he sent it to the feet of Bernard Kamungo, who stood five yards outside of the 18-yard-box. Kamungo’s shot deflected to Logan Farrington, whose shot ricocheted off the SKC defense and goalkeeper Tim Melia for an own goal.
Down 2-1 out of halftime, Dallas substitutions paid dividends. Regular starters Petar Musa and Arriola, who began the night on the bench, entered in the 56th minute. Nine minutes later, a key pass by Arriola and a run by Musa knotted the game at two goals apiece. It was Musa’s sixth goal in five matches and 11th of the season.
Arriola charged through the Dallas offensive half, finding Farrington on the wing, who crossed to Musa for an easy tap in.
Dallas and SKC play again Wednesday, in Kansas City. The two clubs meet in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup.
–Field Level Media