Historic Victory: Sporting KC Achieves MLS Milestone with Unique Win

In a remarkable turn of events on Sunday evening, Sporting Kansas City made history by becoming the first team in Major League Soccer to win a match without recording a single shot on goal. The key moment came when an own goal by Los Angeles Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida sealed a 1-0 victory for Sporting Kansas City, marking a rare achievement in the league.

A Closer Look at the Unique Match

This landmark victory was Sporting Kansas City’s third win in 11 matches this season, with the team managing to secure two of those wins in their last three games. The contrast could not be more stark for the Galaxy, who continue to grapple with an unprecedented struggle as the defending champions. With a record of zero wins, eight losses, and three draws, Los Angeles sits near the bottom of the league standings as they seek their first victory this season.

Match Highlights and Critical Moments

The only goal of the match occurred in the 13th minute when KC’s Daniel Salloi delivered a low cross that unfortunately deflected off Maya Yoshida, finding the back of the net. The Galaxy’s defense failed to protect against the attempt, as no attacker threatened to convert the cross into a goal. Yoshida’s ill-fated defensive effort handed Sporting Kansas City a lead they would not relinquish.

Sporting Kansas City’s goalkeeper, John Pulskamp, showcased commendable skills throughout the match. He made one critical save during the first half, expertly blocking a right-footed shot from John Nelson just before halftime. This performance contributed to Pulskamp securing his second clean sheet during his 11 starts this season. In stark contrast, John McCarthy, the Galaxy keeper, did not need to make any saves in a match where his team struggled to produce offensive opportunities.

Revenge and Redemption

The match also served as a moment of sweet redemption for Dejan Joveljic. The forward, who transferred to Sporting KC in the first cash-for-player trade in MLS history, had previously played a role in the Galaxy’s success last season as they captured their sixth MLS Cup. Joveljic currently leads Sporting Kansas City with five goals this season, a testament to his impactful presence on the team.

The Galaxy’s Continued Struggle

The ongoing struggles for the LA Galaxy can be traced back to key injuries within their roster. Notably, Riqui Puig has not participated in any matches since suffering a knee injury during the playoffs. This absence has proved detrimental, particularly as Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec, both crucial contributors last season, have managed only four goal contributions so far this year, well below their previous performance levels.

Past Connections Between Coaches

The match also highlighted the intriguing backstory between the two coaches. Sporting Kansas City’s interim coach Kerry Zavagnin and the Galaxy’s Greg Vanney share a history as teammates on the United States men’s national team. Their careers overlapped when they faced off as players during the 2000 MLS Cup conference final, famously won by the then-Kansas City Wizards with a narrow 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire.

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, the Galaxy will aim to break their winless streak as they travel to face the New York Red Bulls this Saturday. Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City will head out to play against the Portland Timbers, hoping to build on their historic win from the previous match.

The sports world continues to take notice of this historic achievement by Sporting Kansas City, as it shines a light on the unpredictable nature of soccer. Matches like this remind fans that even without offensive dominance, teams can claim victory through sheer determination and a little bit of luck.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.