Before the calendar turns to 2017, SportingKC.com is counting down the top five moments from Sporting Kansas City’s 2016 season. From thrilling wins and heroic performances to contract extensions and playoff runs (we see you, Swope Park Rangers), let’s revisit the very best of 2016.
#5: Peterson provides the Answer | #4: The Besler Game | #3: SPR wins Western Conference | #2: Vermes and Feilhaber commit to SKC | #1: Decision Day Delight
With Sporting Kansas City’s back firmly against the wall, an unlikely hero emerged to resurrect the season. Bogged by a seven-game losing streak and trailing Orlando City 1-0 heading into the final 20 minutes, Sporting Kansas City received its lifeline courtesy of Jacob Peterson. The veteran forward was introduced in the 67th minute — making just his second appearance of the season — and quickly turned the game on its head.
Peterson kick-started the comeback in the 74th minute, cushioning a header into the path of Dom Dwyer for the equalizing goal. He turned goal scorer five minutes later, latching onto Roger Espinoza’s cross to bury the game-winner and ignite wild celebrations at Children’s Mercy Park.
At the end of the day, a 2-1 victory was more than deserved. An ESPN audience saw Sporting KC unleash an offensive barrage to the tune of 34 shot attempts, an all-time club record and the third most in MLS regular season history. The result also gave Vermes his 100th MLS coaching win (including playoffs).
“I appreciate the fact that Jake hasn’t played a lot of minutes this year, but the fact is he comes in and holds true to the first value we have with this group, which is the team is first,” Vermes said after the game. “Not only was he calm and cool on the assist, but more importantly, it was a great finishing play to be in the position that he was [on his goal].”
Peterson’s heroic cameo was a harbinger of things to come: he finished 2016 with a career-high six MLS goals. He also started 18 straight league games between May and October — the longest stretch of his 11-year career — and became the second player in team history to score in five consecutive MLS home games.
