Willy Agata's second-half goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Sporting Kansas City against visiting St. Louis City SC on Saturday night. Kansas City (6-14-6, 24 points) trailed 1-0 to start the second half buy cranked up the pressure on St. Louis over the next 30 minutes, finally breaking through in the 73rd minute. That's when Alan Pulido lifted a cross toward the far post and Agata flew above the defense to head the ball into the net. St. Louis (4-10-11, 23 points) was looking for its first road win of the season but only managed three shots on target -- including Nokkvi Thorisson's goal in the 42nd minute. The draw was a favorable result for the squad, however, as saves from goalkeeper Roman Burki kept Kansas City from taking the lead on multiple occasions. Burki finished with five saves. This was the second draw in as many meetings between these two teams this season, though the other was a far different contest. Back on April 20, it was St. Louis that pulled off the late rally to force a tie, as Tomas Totland scored in the second minute of second-half extra time to forge a 3-3 draw, also in Kansas City. Kansas City dominated much of Saturday's match, doubling St. Louis in shots (20-10) and shots on goal (6-3). Kansas City also had eight corners to St. Louis' three. This was the final match for both teams before Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game, and both are still quite a ways out of the Western Conference playoff picture. Sporting Kansas City sits 12th, 12 points out of the final guaranteed playoff spot. They have a minus-11 goal differential. St. Louis sits one spot back in 13th, owning one fewer point than Kansas City and sitting at minus-14 in goal differential. St. Louis' last win came July 3 against San Jose, the only team with fewer points than St. Louis (14). --Field Level Media
Jul 20, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Sporting Kansas City midfielder Erik Thommy (26) heads the ball against St. Louis CITY SC forward Jayden Reid (99) in the second half at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports