Years from now, when Sporting Kansas City fans reminisce about their all-time favorite moments in the heralded football cathedral of Children’s Mercy Park, there’s a good chance Saturday’s game against Houston Dynamo FC will be at the forefront of the discussion.
Indeed, Sporting Kansas City’s 3-2 victory came with more emotion, entertainment, pomp and circumstance than a big-budget Hollywood movie. An instant classic in every sense of definition, the game has carved into club folklore.
And here’s why.
1. The return to full capacity
Almost fifteen months after hammering Dynamo in a sold-out first game in 2020, Sporting welcomed their first full-capacity crowd since the start of COVID-19 on Saturday. The adversary? It just had to be Houston.
An electric atmosphere created by 20,086 spectators saw the Children’s Mercy Park vibrate with energy. The members of the Cauldron, the South Stand and everywhere in between were once again gathered together with their voices. It was, quite simply, a beautiful moment.
I still get goosebumps watching this video from @SportingKC as they host a full house again tonight of nearly 20k. What the Illig family did with this franchise is an example that many in America should try to emulate. @ESPNPlus now.#SportingKC #Lower it #SKCvHOU #MLS pic.twitter.com/1hfuHBMp4d
– Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 30, 2021
2. The free kick
You know exactly what I’m talking about. This 30-meter masterclass by Gianluca Busio. This breathtaking, physics-defying stroke of genius from a prodigy who turned 19 a day earlier. With 51 minutes on the clock and Sporting lost 1-0, Busio stepped up to deliver one of the greatest goals in club history.
We will never forget it.
SHEESH ????
A banger and a half of @gbusio13 ????#SportingKC pic.twitter.com/ASLDYswMbb
– Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) May 30, 2021
3. The return
Busio’s magic sparked a frenzied 14-minute spell in which Sporting scored three times. Scorching forward Alan Pulido won and buried a penalty before Gadi Kinda found out what ended up being the winner of the match. This devastating second-half salute blew up the proverbial roof of Children’s Mercy Park and effectively detonated the Dynamo.
Only eight games in the year, Sporting’s four return wins are one less than a club record in a season. There is simply no abandonment in the team of manager Peter Vermes.
Is he pretty good, amirite ?!#SKCvHOU | #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/ey0u7uYFw3
– Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) May 30, 2021
4. The adidas PRIMEBLUE jerseys
My two cents: Sporting’s light-colored adidas PRIMEBLUE jerseys made from recycled ocean plastics looked great. Regardless of what you think of them, the fact that Sporting donned a unique new look made the game even more memorable.
Three consecutive victories and a point on the first place of the @MLS Supporters’ shield.
These vibrations >>>
3-2 | #SKCvHOU pic.twitter.com/uUOA0QaorM
– Sports day (@SKCmatchday) May 30, 2021
5. The halftime show
Sport dominated the proceedings from start to finish, but ended up behind 1-0 at intermission. This set the stage for one of the coolest halftime events you can enjoy at a sporting event: a flying disc show featuring extremely talented canines. The volume levels of the Children’s Mercy Park crowd each time a dog completed an acrobatic catch were only eclipsed by Sporting’s three second-half goals.
GUESS what’s back for halftime tonight… ????#SKCvHOU | #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/HWuAT6HewY
– Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) May 30, 2021
6. Post-game scenes
This, sports fans, is what we have been waiting for since March 2020. This, sports fans, is a moment that each of you deserved to soak up and celebrate to the fullest.
Bright Eyes. Crowd full. I couldn’t lose.#SportingKC pic.twitter.com/RhTEr3BBSC
– Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) May 30, 2021
Tonight is special, all of you. So special. #onesportingway #sportingkc @KCCauldron pic.twitter.com/G7kLxbs5CE
– Brandon (@barelmann) May 30, 2021
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