Sporting Kansas City 1, LA Galaxy 1 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Benjamin Baer

In a crucial match for both teams, Sporting Kansas City and the LA Galaxy each took a point home on Saturday night.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic delivered the first goal of the match from the spot after SKC defender Matt Besler was judged to have fouled Ola Kamara as both players attempted to get on a cross delivered by Romain Alessandrini. Ibrahimovic's goal was his 21st of the season.

The match heated up in intensity after that, with players from both teams coming together on multiple occasions. Another testy moment occurred in first half stoppage time as Galaxy center back Daniel Steres put in what looked like his team's second goal. The goal was eventually disallowed after Video Review.

Peter Vermes' team dominated much of the match but David Bingham was able to make several critical saves to keep his team up. But Johnny Russell was finally able to get his team in the scoreboard in the 83rd minute. The Scot danced through the Galaxy defense and placed his ninth goal of the year into the side netting. Graham Zusi nearly found a winner in the 89th minute, but his left-footed shot hit the post.

The draw puts SKC into the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.

Goals

25' — LA — Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PK) | WATCH
83' — SKC — Johnny Russell | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: Sporting KC clinched a playoff berth, but the draw hurt their chances of avoiding the Knockout Round as they are now tied with LAFC for second in the Western Conference. A point is not the worst outcome for LA, but it does leave them one point behind Real Salt Lake for the final playoff spot.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It would be easy to say the equalizer, but the penalty call ratcheted up the intensity of the match.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Despite some poor performances this season, Bingham was a wall at Children’s Mercy Park. The 28-year-old made eight saves on the night.