Columbus Crew SC vs Sporting Kansas City kicked-off in a nationally televised match on FS1 Sunday, July 3. Crew SC received an Ola Kamara brace, but the Black & Gold fell 3-2 at Children’s Mercy Park.
The Black & Gold jumped out to an early lead after a dangerous cross from Harrison Afful that found the knee of Kamara, who put it in the back of the net with a close-range finish. The goal put Crew SC up 1-0 in the 22’. Ethan Finlay was awarded a secondary assist on the play to give him 26 career regular-season helpers with the Black & Gold.
The match would shift early in the second half as defender Tyson Wahl received a red card for a tackle inside the box on KC forward Dominic Dwyer. Benny Feilhaber converted the penalty kick to bring the game level in the 49th minute. Seven minutes later, SKC midfielder Graham Zusi found the back of the net to put SKC up 2-1 in the 56th.
Dilly Duka, recently acquired from Montreal made his first appearance in his second spell with Crew SC, playing 17 minutes after subbing on for midfielder Wil Trapp.
With 15 minutes of regular-time left in the match and Crew SC at 10 men, Kamara slotted home a ball received from midfielder Tony Tchani with a beautiful right-footed finish, bringing the game level at 2-2. This goal gave Kamara seven goals on the season in just 10 appearances (six starts). However, in second-half stoppage time, Matt Besler of Sporting Kansas City headed home a game-winner, giving the home side a 3-2 win.
The Black & Gold are back in action on Saturday, July 9, when they travel to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Revolution in the first of three meetings between the two Eastern Conference teams. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
