



Toronto FC continued their 8-game road trip this week with a game against MLS elites and reigning US Open Cup champs Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park, a stadium TFC have only won in once before. With the return of DP Jozy Altidore, Toronto hoped to continue their undefeated run and end Sporting's win streak at 2 games. Despite the return of Altidore, Toronto still found themselves a weakened side with both Jonathan Osorio and Drew Moor missing due to a knee injury and illness, respectively. Sadly, TFC were unable to leave Kansas City with any points but looked good in defeat.

Listen to ESSU: Toronto FC vs Sporting Kansas City

Lord have Mercy Children's Park BRAD DAVIS!!!

Open Player in a New Window | Subscribe | iTunes | MP3 The Opening 45



The first half was what a lot of people in North America think soccer is: boring. Both sides looked strong but the game really lacked any excitement for the first half. Aside from the presence of throw-ins and free-kicks galore, no team was really able to gain any real momentum, with most of the action happening in the midfield. There were chances but neither side was able to truly challenge the opposition's keeper.



Michael Bradley, Will Johnson and Damien Perquis all stood out for Toronto while Sebastian Giovinco found himself heavily covered by Sporting, they kept him mostly at bay unless he did it himself (e.g. his attempt at a throw-in).



Perquis gave the first half its most exciting moment after a knee-to-knee crash with Sporting star Dom Dwyer. After a few fearful minutes, the Pole returned to the field to a sea of boos from the 19,867 Kansans in the stadium. Honestly, a game against this team last year would have been a 3-0 loss. This new #TFC is composed and can grind out results. #TorontoFC. — Gian-Paolo D'Aguanno (@G_Daguanno) March 21, 2016 Did #SKC have any clear cut chances outside of the goal? #TFC — Dan Riccio (@DanRiccio590) March 21, 2016

The Second Half



The closing 45 proved very different from the first with each team allowing their aggression and desire to win to show. After a lot of rumble-tumble by both sides, Bradley took offense to Brad Davis over a collision with Cheyrou in the 53rd and the game came to life. Within ten minutes, Toronto saw a Cheyrou yellow card, an Endoh near goal (Toronto's best chance) and Perquis shut down Dwyer. The excitement ended with a goal by Davis in the 69th which saw protest from TFC due to a possible foul by Davis on Justin Morrow.



In the 77th minute, Altidore and Molham Babouli, who has the best hair in the MLS, entered the game for the Reds and 6 minutes later Sporting's Roger Espinoza was given a red following a collision with Marky Delgado (NOTE: Espinoza seemed to laugh at his red card). These two factors saw the Reds come alive and attack Sporting hard but sadly they weren't able to convert any of their chances and, after a disappointing Giovinco free-kick, Sporting walked away with the win.



Despite the loss, Toronto looked better than they looked for most of their 2015 season.



Man of the Match



Damien Perquis



For the second straight game, Perquis has stood out. His positioning and defending were spot-on in this game and he continues to make his presence known on the back line. Controversial Statement: it might just be time for Adam Wawalka to get Perquis back into a Polish national team jersey. For me, Perquis only seemed to get the MLS towards the end of last season and so far this year he seems set on mastering it.



Other Notes



Will Johnson and Michael Bradley looked very good this game while Giovinco seemed to struggle with free-kicks and throw-ins. Tsubasa Endoh looked better in this half than he has at any other point in the season so far and Benoit Cheyrou's return to the starting XI didn't go unnoticed.



Starting XI



Giovinco



Endoh Johnson Delgado



Cheyrou Bradley



Morrow Williams Perquis Beitashour



Irwin



SUBS: Altidore (77 for Endoh), Babouli (77 for Cheyrou), Jay Chapman (86 for Williams)