The downsides were obvious enough for Sporting Kansas City.
They had two costly giveaways that Philadelphia turned into goals, just two shots on frame of their own, one of them from the penalty spot, and one missed chance to strengthen their playoff position.
But while Sporting can't ignore those issues presented in their 2-1 loss Saturday to the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park, manager Peter Vermes said, the fact is that they're still in the postseason and still have a chance to correct their form before they get there.
“These are all valuable lessons as we move into the postseason,” Vermes told reporters on a conference call after the loss to the eliminated Union.
Sporting were without several of their mainstays on Saturday night, including their two US national team starters: center back Matt Besler, who was out with a thigh bruise, and winger Graham Zusi, given the night off to rest going into next week's regular-season finale against the New York Red Bulls.
It was a pair of regulars, though, whose turnovers set up both Union goals. Defensive midfielder Lawrence Olum's errant pass led to Brian Brown's strike just before the half, and left back Seth Sinovic's giveaway gave Philadelphia a short field for sub Pedro Ribeiro's match-winner in the 71st minute.
“That's how it goes, and that's where we usually turn a team over,” Vermes said. “But we got turned over.”
There were bright spots, though, despite a loss that guaranteed Sporting can finish no higher than third in the Eastern Conference.
Dom Dwyer took sole possession of the club's single-season record with his 23rd goal across all competitions when he equalized from the spot in the 54th minute after Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath brought down Soony Saad in the box. It was the 22nd goal in league play for the forward, extending his club record in that category, and it tied Preki's single-season mark of seven penalty conversions in 1996.
And at the other end of the pitch, Eric Kronberg – who came back from a broken hand only to lose his job to Andy Gruenebaum – finished with four saves and looked far more confident than he did in his previous start, a 3-2 loss to New England on Sept. 26.
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Kronberg was back in the XI because of a calf strain Gruenebaum picked up in training on Thursday. Gruenebaum – who had recorded two straight clean sheets before getting hurt – is listed as day-to-day.
“He played well,” Vermes said. “He had a couple of big saves on breakaways. He did really well in those situations.”
Steve Brisendine covers Sporting Kansas City for MLSsoccer.com.
