Sporting Kansas City's four-game winning run and long-standing shutout streak came to an end Saturday in a 3-1 defeat to Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field.
Diego Rubio fired the visitors ahead after just 92 seconds, but a quick equalizer from Raul Ruidiaz and second-half strikes courtesy of an own goal and a Nicolas Lodeiro penalty gave Seattle their eighth straight win, breaking the single-season MLS record for most consecutive victories during the non-shootout era (2000-present).
Although the result prevents Sporting KC from taking first place in the Western Conference, the team will nonetheless be encouraged by the volume of chances created on Saturday. Manager Peter Vermes' men outshot Seattle 19-9, enjoyed 61 percent of possession and saw a handful of opportunities go begging on an unlucky afternoon in the Pacific Northwest.
At the center of Sporting KC's playmaking was Rubio, who continued his red-hot run of form with a blistering strike in the second minute. The 25-year-old, who will represent the Chile Men's National Team during next week's FIFA international window, has now set an all-time Sporting KC record with a goal or an assist in seven straight regular season matches.
Rubio, who boasts five goals in as many games and now owns a tie for the team lead with eight MLS tallies in 2018, scored the sixth-fastest goal in Sporting KC history on Saturday afternoon.
FASTEST GOALS IN SPORTING KC HISTORY
(MLS REGULAR SEASON)
<strong>Time</strong> |
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Result</strong> |
0:35 |
Davy Arnaud |
08/22/2003 |
T 2-2 vs. Colorado Rapids |
0:36 |
Scott Sealy |
09/09/06 |
W 4-1 vs. Colorado Rapids |
0:41 |
Chance Myers |
04/27/2013 |
L 2-3 vs. Portland Timbers |
0:50 |
Ryan Pore |
09/03/2005 |
T 2-2 at New York Red Bulls |
1:01 |
Teal Bunbury |
05/19/2012 |
T 2-2 at Colorado Rapids |
1:32 |
Diego Rubio |
09/01/2018 |
L 1-3 at Seattle Sounders FC |
Rubio's scintillating opener was canceled out 10 minutes later by Ruidiaz's close-range finish, bringing an end to Sporting KC's 387-minute shutout streak. This was the club's sixth-longest regular season shutout run ever.
LONGEST SHUTOUT STREAKS IN SPORTING KC HISTORY
(MLS REGULAR SEASON)
<strong>Minutes</strong> |
<strong>Started</strong> |
<strong>Ended</strong> |
681 |
04/19/2000 |
05/27/2000 |
546 |
03/09/2013 |
04/20/2013 |
414 |
03/25/2012 |
04/18/2012 |
412 |
09/27/2013 |
10/26/2013 |
392 |
09/14/2012 |
10/07/2012 |
387 |
07/28/2018 |
09/01/2018 |
Sporting KC will look to bounce back next Saturday, Sept. 8, when the side hosts Orlando City SC at Children's Mercy Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and tickets remain available via SeatGeek.com.
