With the 2020 MLS season on temporary hold, SportingKC.com is taking daily strolls down memory lane with an "On This Day" web series that celebrates memorable moments in team history. As one of Major League Soccer's proud charter members, Sporting has a decorated past full of thrilling victories, amazing goals, momentous off-the-field developments and more. "On This Day" pays tribute to these specific instances, turning back the clocks while treating fans to nostalgia and club history lessons. To catch up on the series as it unfolds, visit SportingKC.com/OnThisDay.
In the immortal words of legendary anchorman Ron Burgundy, “That escalated quickly.”
Johnny Russell drew first blood. Krisztian Nemeth made it two. Felipe Gutierrez landed the third hammer blow just before halftime. But by no means would it end there. Sporting Kansas City were just getting started.
By the time referee Nima Saghafi blew his whistle to signal the end of the game and put the Montreal Impact out of their misery, Sporting had posted a record-breaking 7-1 victory to the delight of a fervent Children’s Mercy Park crowd that braved morning snow showers to take in the biggest goal fest in club history. Even mother nature seemed to notice, as the grey Kansas City sky gradually gave way to sunshine—not to mention an absolute downpour of goals.
One year ago today, Manager Peter Vermes’ men scored a touchdown and added an extra point, reaching the seven-goal milestone for the first time in the team’s 24-year existence. Nemeth bagged a hat-trick, Russell struck twice and Gutierrez was joined in the scoring act by then-16-year-old Gianluca Busio, who became the youngest player to score an MLS goal at Children’s Mercy Park. Sporting fell just a goal shy of tying the MLS record for most goals by one team in a match, set in 1998 by the LA Galaxy.
