Going into their MLS season opener against LAFC on Sunday night, many figured Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes would rotate his lineup.
Instead, he fielded his best XI.
But the visitors — who accumulated seven yellow cards during the match as they fought for a result — still left with a 2-1 defeat thanks to Adama Diomande’s emphatic late winner.
“We could have played better. In the end, it was a close match. Los Angeles is a good team,” said Sporting midfielder Ilie Sanchez. “We knew what we were coming into and how difficult it was going to be.