The Dutch continue to underwhelm

While it wasn't the most exciting or action packed match of the year, good to see SKC advance to the semi finals after a pretty easy win over the Dayton Dutch Lions. There were actually a few nervy moments in the first half; a shot that just swerved at the last second that had Jimmy beat otherwise and a Jimmy touch over the bar that was apprently given as a goal kick (it looked like Jimmy thought it was offsides and brought the ball out further and the ref had him pull it back for a goal kick, even though he got a hand on it... from where I was, at least).

Probably not a great match for a neutral observer to watch, but as a Kansas City fan it was nice to see them actually win a match without making it interesting.

The couple people I talked to about heading back to Philly for a rematch seemed pretty adament they'd rather have faced the Harrisburg City Islanders, and while I generally agree with them, I think the setup of a revenge match is too good of a story line to not be excited about.

The only other fun fact I'll throw out there is Dayton's midfielder Akeem Priestly was drafted by Kansas City in 2009 but not offered a contract. I'm sure he would have absolutely loved to have put one in against us. So there was the slightest of connections for at least one Dayton player. Maybe more if I really researched it.

A couple of snapshots from the match before we hit up some ratings.

And now, some ratings. I didn't put much thought into any of it, especially not for Dayton's players. I also feel like CJ Sapong's face should get it's own line item here...

 

Dayton Dutch Lions
Matthew William	4.6
Shane Smith	4.6
Mettin Copier	4.3
Daniel Holowaty	4.6
Nixon Dias	4.3
Gregory Preciado	4.3
Joel DeLass	4.6
Bret Jones	4.6
Mikael McNamara	4.6
Akeem Priestly	4.6
Thomas Garner	4.6
Gerit-Jan Bartels	4.6
Gibson Bardsley	4.6
Kyle Knotek	4.6
Team Average	4.5
Sporting Kansas City
Jimmy Nielsen	5.7
Matt Besler	5.7
Seth Sinovic	6.6
Konrad Warzycha	4.3
Lawrence Olum	5.7
Graham Zusi	6.0
Roger Espinzoa	4.3
Michael Harrington	5.7
Jacob Peterson	5.7
Michael Thomas	4.9
Peterson Joseph	4.9
CJ Sapong	7.4
Teal Bunbury	4.3
Soony Saad	5.4
Team Average	5.5

 

Man of the match to Sapong for his "face brace".