Sporting Kansas City entered their Week 18 match against the Chicago Fire coming off a big loss, while the Fire were coming off a big win, but the teams swapped outcomes as Sporting won 1-0 at Children's Mercy Park.
Both teams, struggling in the standings this season and in need of wins, played this game on short rest after their midweek exploits, but Sporting turned the page on a 5-1 home loss to LAFC on Wednesday with a much-needed win.
Yohan Croizet broke through for Sporting in the 14th minute, off a counterattacking goal, his second tally in as many games this week.
From there, Sporting largely dominated the run of play, and had a hatful of scoring chances throughout the match, but could not get an insurance goal.
Goals
- 14' – SKC – Yohan Croizet | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: With both teams below the playoff line in their respective conferences, wins are absolutely necessary, and Sporting will be pleased with the result even if it was nervy at times. The Fire must be disappointed, both because they were coming off a 5-1 rout over Atlanta United on Wednesday, and because the game was there for the taking and they just couldn't find any goals.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: In a battling clash between two struggling teams, the goal was the only thing that truly separated them.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Croizet may be a Designated Player, but he's turned into a utility man of sorts in his time for Sporting. In this game, he got the start up top and took advantage with a winning goal when his team sorely needed it.
Next Up
- SKC: Saturday, July 13 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; DAZN in Canada)
- CHI: Saturday, July 13 vs. FC Cincinnati (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; DAZN in Canada)
