In 2005, California rock band Green Day scored a major hit with their song "Wake Me Up When September Ends." After taking their third straight loss and fifth in six games, the Columbus Crew may agree with that line of thinking.
Sporting Kansas City pushed the Crew to 0-for-September with an electric 2-1 victory on their home turf. A penalty kick from Kei Kamara and a Julius James own goal were enough for Sporting to overcome a first-half Emilio Renteria strike as the Crew fell to third place in the Eastern Conference, 3 points behind new leaders Kansas City.
Defensive miscues were the thorn in the Crew's side on the night, as Chad Marshall's foul on rookie CJ Sapong turned into a penalty kick for KC and Julius James' mistimed header ended up burying the Crew.
Kansas City, a team that's been tough to beat at home, seemed to feed off of the welcoming atmosphere at Livestrong Sporting Park, driving more chances on the evening than the Crew. William Hesmer and his backline were busy on the night, as Kansas City put 5 shots on goal and had 6 corner kicks. Like many of their home contests, Kansas City held a noticeable advantage in possession, as well.
Despite pressure from the home side, the Crew put together a handful of chances. Renteria's temporary equalizer, his seventh tally of the season, owed itself to an incisive through ball by Robbie Rogers. The Crew's leading goal-scorer Andres Mendoza had chances early and late, but Kansas City's Danish goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was equal to his uninspired finishes.
Now in 3rd place after the intra-conference clash, the Crew barely remain in a position to automatically qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, with strong challenges from Houston, Philadelphia and Kansas City. Their next match comes Sunday, in which they'll welcome D.C. United to Crew Stadium. United have spent the better part of the year in the Eastern Conference cellar, but have come on strong lately due to heady play from mid-season acquisition Dwayne De Rosario.
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