Complain about the lineup. Complain about the new jersey that drapes Sporting Kansas City players in a clear identity of hoops. Complain, too, about the 4-3-3 flank-centric attacking ethos that even more identifies Sporting Kansas City as Sporting Kansas City. Complain all you want, even to the point that you feel Sporting is already surrounded by clouds of stagnation and mediocrity through only their first match in the 2023 MLS season.
All cynicism needs is a moment of credence. The milli-second Ben Sweat decided to keep the ball alive instead of surrendering a corner – even though he was just outside his own box on the cusp of the endline – by turning inside and surrendering possession to the Timbers’ Juan Mosquera, fate clamped down on Kansas City.