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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25. 2014
PAGE 9B
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Bieler strikes twice,leads Sporting KC to 3-0 win
CHRISTIAN HARDY
@HardvNFL
Sporting KC defender Aurelien Collin races to get to the ball before his Real Esteli opponent. Sporting's 3-0 win against the Nicaragua team lands them a No.2 spot in the tournament.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Argentinian striker Claudio Bieler came to Sporting Kansas City in 2013, and led the team in goals on its way to becoming Major League Soccer champions last season. That all changed when striker Dom Dwyer came on to capture the limelight in 2014, forcing Bieler to take a backseat.
But when the opportunity arises, Bieler comes through. In Kansas City's 3-0 CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) win against Nicaragua's Real Esteli on Tuesday, Bieler netted two goals and led the offense all night.
"I try to take advantage of all the minutes the coach allows me to play," Bieler said through a translator after the win. "In the week, I work hard, day-by-day, hopefully to make sure that the coach knows I am available and ready to go."
Bieler's first goal came in the 13th minute when defender Seth Sinovic made a run down to the left side of the box and swung a low cross into the penalty area. Bieler timed his run perfectly, controlled the cross and put it through without a problem.
He got another chance in the 28th minute when midfielder Graham Zusi drew the goalkeeper and eased a ball to Bieler, who couldn't put it into an open net.
"Claudio, 9,999 out of 10,000 tries, puts that in," Zusi said. "I was just shocked he didn't put that in."
It didn't matter though, as Real Esteli failed to put together any kind of an attack in a game it had to win to stay in contention in group play. After leading 1-0 at half, Bieler was knocked down in the box and made his penalty kick count for a 2-0 lead in the 70th minute. Bieler was thriving with Dwyer out of
Hillix
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get through with a loss by two goals, depending on the scoreline.
the lineup, and has three goals in his last two appearances — both wins.
clean sheet of CCL play. He's a bit of a question mark for the short turnaround game Friday against the New England Revolution, but sounds ready to be in goal long-term.
"He comes to training everyday, he doesn't mess around, he works hard, and he's been very professional about taking his opportunities when they come," coach Peter Vermes said. "He was an important part of the team in last year's success, and we're going to need him again at some point this year as well."
"I felt good out there," Kronberg said. "We'll see about Friday. Hopefully I have the goahead, but you never know. As long as everything holds up, I'm feeling good."
Though Sporting KC will miss Zusi in the match against Saprissa, it will have its starter — Kronberg — back in goal. After missing the game against Deportivo Saprissa on Thursday due to a mishap in filing paperwork with CONCACAF, Kronberg only made three saves, but claimed the team's first
Kansas City's third goal came from substitute Sal Zizzo late, as Eric Kronberg defended between the pipes for a clean sheet in his first start since injuring his hand in practice after a July 6 match.
The game was as chippy as it gets in the CCL, with eight cautions dished out, including five to Sporting KC. One of those came to Zusi, who will now miss the next CCL match
against Deportivo Saprissa on Oct. 23.
"I thought it was rather soft as my first foul of the game," Zusi said of his caution. "For me, it's not a yellow card. It never is ... As soon as it happened, I felt bad that I wouldn't be there with the guys."
Sporting KC needs only a win, draw or a loss by one goal against Saprissa to advance into the next round, and could still
Edited by Alyssa Scott
CHECKING IN ON SPORTING KC
Record: 13-6-10 (MLS)
Conference standing: 2nd in Eastern Conference (3 points back of 1st)
Last time out: Defeated Real Esteli 3-0 on Tuesday (Champions League)
Next opponent: New England Revolution on Friday
Player trending up: Toni Dovale - The Spaniard is finally coming into form for Sporting KC after arriving in the spring. He's notched three goals in Champions League competition and picked up an assist on a beautiful cross on Tuesday against Real Estell. He'll continue to be a major contributor from the wing.
Player trending down: None - Every one of the starters — including some starting-worthy players on the bench — are really shaping into form as the season's home stretch approaches. Outscoring opponents 10-1 over its last three matches, Sporting KC doesn't have many weak spots.
Looking ahead: With Champions League group play nearly clinched, Sporting KC can shift its focus to the home stretch of the MLS season. The Revolution defeated Sporting KC twice already this season by a combined 5-1 score, but neither of those games were at Sporting Park. Sporting plays first-place D.C. United on Oct. 10 in a game that could determine the Eastern Conference champion.
Interesting stat: Kronberg had seven clean sheets in goal in 17 starts across all competitions this season before breaking his hand, six short of Jimmy Nielsen's 13 shutouts in 34 games last season. Kronberg also has allowed only .88 goals per game to match Nielsen's 2013 rate. It's clear that Kronberg — though not yet a Sporting KC legend like Nielsen — has washed away supporters' worries in goal after Nielsen retired after 2013.
Brian Hillix
Fans celebrate Sporting KC's 3-1 victory against Deportivo Saprissa on Sept. 18 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. Sporting KC will play against New England Revolution on Friday.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
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