Sporting Kansas City entered the day on a high note and strong favorites. They'd never lost in MLS at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. They had not lost in MLS play in their past 14 matches. As happened to the Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake, those streaks ended when Mauro Rosales and Lamar Neagle continued the theme of grabbing points late with clutch goals.
For 59 minutes this looked like the match that was expected. The Seattle Sounders were tired. They struggled with physical defense. They weren't creating chances and Sporting was dominating play if not possession. Kei Kamara scored off a Rory Delap throw-in deep. Sorry, that wasn't Delap, that was Matt Besler in Delap's role. The SporKCs practice that play, and they deserved the reward even if the marking by Zach Scott was a little light.
Omar Bravo changed everything when he went in with two feet and studs up on Pat Noonan. His behaviour after the play will be what gets the most attention, but his Red Card changed the dynamic of the game. That with Sigi's early subs meant that the Sounders could play their up-tempo style. Somehow ending the match with more shots on goal than KC.
There was a 10-day period where Sounders fans were down. They'd witnessed losses in a friendly and two competitions. Those emotions get corrected when the team ends MLS streaks and advances to the CCL Group Stage don't they. It took odd circumstances with injuries to Jeferson and his replacement Luke Sassano, but the scoreboard and the standings are in the Rave Green's favor at the end of the day.