When a pitch invader dressed in a cow costume qualifies as the highlight of any match, you know it was probably a bad one. When that match was also the debut of what is probably the most beautiful soccer stadium in North America, that's just sad. Yet, that was the situation as Sporting Kansas City christened Livestrong Sporting Park with a 0-0 tie against the Chicago Fire.
Sporting Kansas City Vs. Chicago Fire: Beautiful Stadium, But Ugly 0-0 Tie
The match did feature some interesting moments, at least. The last 20 minutes saw the pitch invader, Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen pick up a red card and nine minutes of stoppage time. There was also an opportunity for referee Michael Kennedy to award a penalty, but a rash tackle by Bratislav Ristic on Omar Bravo inside the penalty area went unpunished.
The best scoring chance for either side was provided by the Fire’s Orr Barouch. Shortly after Nielsen was sent off, SKC backup goalkeeper Erik Kronberg failed to handle a shot from outside the box and the rebound went straight out to Barouch. The Israeli forward was able to beat Kronberg, but his shot rang off the underside of the crossbar.
Sporting's best scoring chance came in the first half when Graham Zusi actually scored, but the play was correctly ruled offside.
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