Tag Archives: Matthew Donnelly
Donnelly: Sporting Ties Best Team in MLS, LA Calls LIVESTRONG Pitch ‘Embarrassing’
The stars shone brightly on Monday night at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park...
Sporting KC and the LA Galaxy scrapped their way to a 2-2 draw, with late drama coming again in the form of a stoppage time penalty kick by Omar Bravo to even the score. LA’s David Beckham showed why he is still among the best passers in the game. And Landon Donovan came on as a substitute in the second half, looking speedy and somewhat agitated as he proceeded to get in the face of several KC players.
But despite another gritty performance by the boys in blue, after the game everyone wanted to talk about a couple of things that ideally should have been non-issues: the refereeing (surprise!) and the condition of the field.
Before we get to that, though, let’s talk about the exciting game played in front of the biggest crowd yet at our new stadium…
Sounds Good: Cowboy Indian Bear@Jackpot, Hearts of Darkness@Legends, Hottie@Stanford’s
Think of this weekend as a little warmup…
You know, go out Friday, see a few good bands, have a drink or two. Wake up Saturday with a dry mouth and ringing in your ears.
Then Saturday hit it even harder.
Drink more. See more bands that are even louder and more rockin’. Lose even more of your already diminished hearing.
Why, you ask?
Well, Wednesday, on August 3rd at the Uptown, My Morning Jacket is going to rip your damn face off three times before you hit the ground if you’re not ready for it. This is an absolutely can’t miss show that also features one of my new favorites bands, Delta Spririt, doing the opening honors.
So go out this weekend, feel some bass pounding in your lungs, and get ready…
Donnelly: New Players, Stadium, Saves Sporting-Newcastle Snoozefest
Some blamed the heat. Others, the fact that it was just a friendly match. 
But damn. That was one of the dullest, least entertaining games I’ve witnessed in quite some time.
Over the course of 90 minutes, Sporting Kansas City and Newcastle United of the English Premier League managed to tally 25 combined shots – but only three of those were on target. And there wasn’t a single shot on target in the first half by either team. The game ended in a 0-0 tie.
Ouch.
After the game, the players and coaches acknowledged the lackluster showing, with most blaming the sweltering heat and humidity for the result.
Photo Essay: Rob Zombie at Sandstone Amphitheater, July 16, 2011
We sent KCC photog, Katie Grogan, out this past weekend to see what was going on at Sandstone Amphitheater.
Her report?
Lots of sweat, some hard hitting bands, and of course, zombies.
Enjoy the pics…
Donnelly: Gin? Check. Juice? Check. Snoop Dogg Coming To Crossroads July 26th
Try this out: Ask your mom if she’s ever heard of Snoop Doggy Dogg.
I bet she has, and I bet she knows he’s a rapper.
And I bet she even knows that with so much drama in the LBC it’s kinda hard being Snoop D-O Double G.
Okay, maybe not that last part, but it just goes to show you what a ridiculously wide swath the Doggfather’s career has carved out…
Donnelly: Stoppage Time Goal Saves Sporting Again, Plus Brazilian Midfielder Signed
Sporting Kansas City refused to lose on Saturday night in Houston. 
No, they didn’t win either.
But they did extend their unbeaten streak to 11 games, the second best streak in all of MLS this season.
And they did it again with late game heroics – this time from central defender Aurelien Collin – snatching a point on the road after trailing for the entire game…
Donnelly: Blind Pilot at the Bottleneck, July 14, 2011
I don’t think Blind Pilot lead singer Israel Nebeker ever stopped smiling throughout the whole show at the Bottleneck Wednesday night.
Hell, he’s probably still smiling, even though I hear, via Tweet, that the band is having some trouble out in western Kansas, probably due in part to their 1977 Crown school bus that is their home on the road.
According to the band, the old bus is "a very bad decision according to most tour managers we have met. But a great adventure according to us."
But sometimes, when something feels good you just go with it…
Sounds Good: Noise FM@Bottleneck, Old Crap@Sprint, Hidden Pictures & Howard Iceberg@Replay
Uh oh.
More non-air conditioned shows!!… Look ouuuuuuuut!
OK, actually I’m only recommending one outdoor show this weekend. And considering how hot it’s supposed to be and the fact that the show is an early one, you might want to show up, if for no other reason than one of the performers is kinda old, kinda a KC icon, and he might just drop on stage.
Now that’s a true artist….
Donnelly: LIVESTRONG Crowd Lifts Sporting To Last-Second Tie
With only 10 minutes left in the game, the sold out crowd at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park decided enough was enough. 
Despite dominating possession for the first 80 minutes, Sporting KC had eeked its way through the match against Chivas USA, looking uninterested and un-energetic. Not to mention a lack of offensive creativity, which was blatantly obvious after Chivas scored a goal and decided to pack men in front of its goal.
"I thought that we were pretty unorganized in the first half," said SKC coach Peter Vermes after the game. "During halftime, I said to the guys that in the last 11 games that we’ve played, it is probably the worst half of soccer that I’ve seen us play."
Sounds Good: Matisyahu@Crossroads, Gomez@Crossroads, Sporting KC@LIVESTRONG
Okay guys. 
I know you have your gripes about the Crossroads. From some of your comments after the Elvis Costello story, I’ve learned that the Crossroads venue is a horse pen. It makes KC look bad.
It has port-a-potties. Beers are pricey. Stretch is a douche.
Okay, I get it.
But it also has some really good music.
You know, sometimes you have to sacrifice a little comfort to catch a really killer show. And personally, I love outdoor shows in the summertime. It’s one of the things that gets me through the cold, dark Kansas winters…
Donnelly: The Streak Stays Alive, Sporting Still unbeaten At LIVESTRONG
A game that should’ve ended with Sporting Kansas City collecting the full three points, ended instead with the home squad keeping their unbeaten streak alive and gaining just one point for a draw with the Colorado Rapids.
A couple questions, right off the bat.
Why did Teal Bunbury and Michael Harrington get the start?
Why hasn’t Roger Espinoza gotten time at midfielder before now?
Is this team for real? With the potential to make a deep playoff run?…
Donnelly: Elvis Costello at Crossroads KC, June 30, 2011
When you’re an iconic performer that blurs lines between generations as well as genres – not to mention one that has played everywhere with everyone – it’s understandable that it might be hard to get pumped up for an outdoor show in a scorching mulch pit in Middle America.
Indeed, I wondered aloud to a couple hardcore Elvis fans about the choice of venue.
Doesn’t Starlight seem more appropriate for this boomer god? A few years ago that’s where Elvis Costello and his band went when they came through KC. So my assumption is his draw isn’t quite as strong anymore…
Donnelly: Sporting KC’s Confidence Growing With Huge Win At Portland
With a huge win on the road over the weekend at the Portland Timbers, Sporting Kansas City increased their unbeaten streak to 10 games.
Yes, 10 games!
Things are quite different right now for the squad that saw themselves in the cellar of the Eastern Conference every week early on this season, while enduring that horrendous road trip.
Donnelly: Elvis Costello at the Crossroads, June 30, 2011
When you’re an iconic performer that blurs lines between generations as well as genres – not to mention one that has played everywhere with everyone – it’s understandable that it might be hard to get pumped up for an outdoor show in a scorching mulch pit in Middle America.
Indeed, I wondered aloud to a couple hardcore Elvis fans about the choice of venue.
Doesn’t Starlight seem more appropriate for this Boomer God? A few years ago that’s where Elvis Costello and his band went when they came through KC. So my assumption is his draw isn’t quite as strong anymore…
Sounds Good: Elvis Costello@Crossroads, Meat Puppets@RecordBar, Umphrey’s McGee & Quixotic@Crossroads
Do girls my age like Elvis Costello?
I mean, I know hip ones do – ones that are into music and that whole deal – but I’m talking about casual music fan girls. You know, the hot ones.
I needed to know, so I asked one of them that question, and she replied, "Who?"
"You know, AAAAAlison…"
(Blank stare, shaking head).
"Umm, Radio Radio?" I asked meekly.
(Blanker stare).
"The guy with the funny hat from Austin Powers who sings with that old dude when Mike Myers is trying to shag Heather Graham?"
"Oh, I love that guy! Wait, I thought that was Bono…"
Donnelly: Sporting Sizzling, Even with Captain Coming Off the Bench
It was rough at times, and Sporting Kansas City had to scrap their way back from a 1-0 deficit.
But after besting the Vancouver Whitecaps in front of a sell-out crowd, that’s seven games in a row now that Peter Vermes’ boys came away with points at the end of the game. Which is currently the second longest unbeaten streak in MLS.
Yes, home field matters. It matters a helluva lot in MLS.
And although Sporting did concede the first goal of the game, it is still their defense that’s stepping up and providing consistent enough play to keep them in every game…
Sounds Good: Matt & Kim@Beaumont, Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt@Uptown, Bluegrass@Crossroads
Me: "Are you going to cut my hair when I get out there? You can do a box, right?"
My brand new barber: "Sure man."
Me: "I’m serious dude. I need a trim."
My brand new barber: "No."
Me: "But you’re official now, you got your license. Of course it’s only valid in Boise and the greater Treasure Valley area, but it’s legit, right?"
My brand new barber: "Yeah, totally."
Me: "And a hot shave?"
My brand new barber: "Nope…"
Donnelly: Sporting KC Tally First Goal, Win In LIVESTRONG Sporting Park
Sporting Kansas City opened their new stadium last week in front of a sell-out crowd, but were unable to score any goals. The game ended 0-0, begging the question, "Who is going to score the first MLS goal in LIVESTRONG Sporting Park?"
That question was answered in the 31st minute on Friday night by rookie striker CJ Sapong, who finished off a Graham Zusi set piece by flying horizontally through the air and getting his left boot to the ball, knifing it past San Jose keeper, Jon Busch.
"It was something we’ve been working on for quite some time," said KC coach Peter Vermes of the goal. "We have guys that we feel like if they get to the right places, they can stick the balls in the back of the net. That goal that CJ scored, I only saw it once but I would say that was an incredibly athletic goal to be able to basically be parallel in the air to the ground."
Sounds Good: ACBs Living Large @ LIVESTRONG & Booty Shakin’ w/ R. Kelly @ Sprint
I know what you’re thinking: Matt, how do you have such good taste in music, but otherwise make highly questionable decisions in all other areas of your life?
Well, I’m glad you asked. That’s a very good question.
First off, I like Billy Joel but not Elton John.
Second I miss the old KCC, you know, the squirrel themed one. (Side note: I can’t give particulars right now, but I’m doing what I can to keep the squirrel related content flowing, so stay tuned.)
Third, I challenge you right now to an eating contest of your choice. Nothing gross, though. So there you have it…
Donnelly: Goalscorers Struggle to Finish, US Slips Past Overmatched Guadaloupe
Based on the results, Tuesday night was an overwhelming success.
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park was sold out for Team USA‘s 1-0 victory over Guadaloupe.
Many players, coaches and media observers that were getting their first taste of Sporting KC’s new home were thoroughly impressed with the stadium and atmosphere it provided for this crucial Gold Cup game.
"It was fantastic," said Landon Donovan when asked about the new stadium. "I think everybody involved should be commended. The crowd was great, they were energetic. The stadium, the locker room and facilities are beautiful. I definitely hope we come back here."
"It’s a great stadium," said head coach Bob Bradley. "I think all of the players were really excited about every part of it. The stadium is really well done. It is first class in every way. The atmosphere inside of the stadium, it is great to play in front of a crowd that is there for us, a U.S. crowd.”
And, hey, the US will now advance to the next round where a very respectable Jamaican squad will try their luck at knocking off the Yanks. So it’s all good right?
Not really…
