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
Goals, ejections, drama and an unforgettable ending.
Sporting Kansas City’s inter-conference battle with the reigning Eastern Conference champion Columbus Crew SC had it all, giving supporters a gripping spectacle from beginning to end. This particular goal fest was decided by Kansas City’s own Matt Besler, who came off the bench to nod home a 91st-minute winner and send Children’s Mercy Park into delirium.
Sporting KC emerged with a 3-2 win, but not before breakout striker Ola Kamara scored in either half for Columbus. Former Kansas City defender Tyson Wahl saw straight red early in the second half, allowing Benny Feilhaber to convert the ensuing penalty kick and tie the match at 1-1.
Shortly thereafter, Graham Zusi conjured his finest moment of 2016, running at the defense and smashing a superb effort low into the corner of the net. Kamara then tallied his second against the run of play, setting the stage for a wild final quarter-hour.
Columbus weathered a relentless onslaught from Sporting KC until second-half stoppage time. That’s when Jimmy Medranda lofted a cross from the right wing to the far left post, where Ike Opara rose to cushion a header back across the face of goal. Besler, who had entered the match in the 54th minute, was on hand to head into an empty net for his third career MLS tally and his first in 121 regular season appearances.
“When I went into the game, we were going over set piece responsibilities and Zoran [Savic] said I could make the call whether I wanted to go up or not,” Besler said of his decision to advance into the Columbus penalty box at the end of the match. “When you are up 2-1, you probably make the decision to stay back and protect, but we needed a goal at that moment so that’s why I went up.”
Besler ended 2016 with his fourth straight MLS All-Star selection. In addition to competing regularly for the United States Men’s National Team, the center back came on strong at the end of the year, leading Sporting KC to shutouts in the final two games of the regular season.
