Sporting Kansas City slipped to a 1-0 defeat Saturday against New York City FC in the club's final game of the 2017 preseason, presented by Children's Mercy. David Villa's 51st-minute header separated the sides as both teams closed out Desert Diamond Cup competition at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona.
Soni Mustivar created the game's first chance after nine minutes, intercepting a pass and skipping into the attacking third before playing a through ball to Benny Feilhaber. The U.S. international slotted low and into the back of the net past Sean Johnson, but the linesman had raised his flag for offside.
Feilhaber turned provider 10 minutes later, picking out Gerso Fernandes in a crowded penalty area. The winger's strike was blocked amidst traffic but fell neatly to Graham Zusi, whose thunderous strike from 25 yards whistled inches wide of the far left post. Daniel Salloi then showed a glimpse of brilliance on the half-hour mark, cutting past a defender and sending a 30-yard curler just over the woodwork.
New York City FC gained strength as the first half wore on. Maxime Chanot's header off Maximiliano Moralez's corner kick was saved on the goal line by Tim Melia, then Villa nearly latched onto the end of Jack Harrison's teasing cross into the six-yard area.
Moralez, a newly acquired Designated Player from Argentina, was involved in two chances at the end of the first period, first firing wide near the penalty spot. Seconds later, he beat Sporting KC's back line and chipped over the onrushing Melia, but Ike Opara slid at full extension to prevent the ball from rolling into an open net.
Moralez kept his foot on the pedal into the second half and teed up Villa for the opening goal in the 51st minute, crossing for the prolific Spaniard to nod home from eight yards. The reigning MLS MVP nearly bagged his second on two separate occasions before the hour mark, but Melia produced solid saves to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
Sporting Kansas City was awarded an excellent opportunity to equalize in the 64th minute when Feilhaber sprung into the box and was toppled by Ronald Matarrita. Soony Saad picked out the left corner on the ensuing spot kick, but Johnson sprung low to make a superb stop with his outstretched hand. Johnson would deny Saad again from close range less than a minute later to preserve his team’s one-goal advantage.
It was New York City's turn to push forward in the 74th minute, but Miguel Camargo’s low blast on the breakaway skimmed wide of Melia’s right-hand post.
Saad then received a straight red card with eight minutes remaining, allowing NYCFC to play up a man until the final whistle. Sporting Kansas City’s last bid to equalize fell to Tyler Pasher, who cut into the middle from the left channel and hammered a right-footed strike marginally over the bar.
Sporting Kansas City now turns its attention to the 2017 MLS regular season opener next Saturday at D.C. United. Kickoff at RFK Stadium is set for 6 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City and FOX Sports Midwest as a pair of MLS charter members square off in a Week 1 interconference battle.
2017 Desert Diamond Cup
Kino Sports Complex | Tucson, Arizona
<strong>Score</strong> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<strong>2</strong> |
<strong>F</strong> |
Sporting Kansas City (1-2-1) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
New York City FC (1-3-0) |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Sporting Kansas City: Tim Melia; Graham Zusi (Saad Abdul-Salaam 46), Ike Opara, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic; Benny Feilhaber (Jimmy Medranda 67), Soni Mustivar, Roger Espinoza; Gerso Fernandes (Tyler Pasher 81), Soony Saad, Daniel Salloi (Latif Blessing 77)
Scoring Summary:
NYC -- David Villa (Maximiliano Moralez) 51
