Kansas City
2-2-2, 0-0-0
Creighton
1-3-2, 0-0-0
Cook Nets 89th Minute Winner as Roos Down Bluejays
9/12/2023 11:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Brice Middleton and Griffin Cook found the goal as KC took down Creighton for the first time since 2008
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Men's Soccer posted a dominant second half performance and protected its home turf against Creighton this evening, defeating the Bluejays, 2-1. Creighton controlled possession for 57% of the first half and posted a quick goal on a set piece in the second half, but the Roos did not waiver. Hector Taboada connected with Brice Middleton for an equalizer in the 64th minute, and then Julien Le Bourdoulous sent a free kick to the box, finding Griffin Cook for a game-winner in the 89th.
KEY MOMENTS
- 14' / 0-0 | Creighton sent a missile towards the goal, targeting the back post. It looked destined for the back of the net, but Mael Caisson stepped in front and headed the ball away safely.
- 28' / 0-0 | The Roos put together a nice attack that led to a pass into the box, and Christian Koffi headed a shot on goal for the Roos first shot of the night.
- 49' / 0-1 | Creighton hit a corner kick into the box, which led to a score to give them a lead early in the second half.
- 59' / 0-1 | Le Bourdoulous ripped a shot from well beyond the box, ricocheting off the crossbar. Middleton came in hot pursuit of the rebound, but the Bluejays' keeper punched it away just in time.
- 64' / 1-1 | Persistent pressure from the Roos paid off as Le Bourdoulous flicked a ball over the defense, finding a running Taboada. Taboada put the ball above the keeper and placed it perfectly to a streaking Middleton, who calmly finished for the equalizer.
Wow. Just beautiful, beautiful stuff for the equalizer.
— Kansas City Soccer (@KCRoosMSoccer) September 13, 2023
Le Bourdoulous ?? @Taboadiinha ?? @b_jmiddleton #ROOUP | #DeclareKC https://t.co/bfzKxyVi1J pic.twitter.com/ebufmIgK0k
- 89' / 2-1 | Le Bourdoulous orchestrated the offense once again, this time off a set piece. He sent a free kick into the box, perfectly finding Cook for the game-winning goal.
THE MIRACLE MAN, @griffincook__ ????#ROOUP | #DeclareKC https://t.co/FhCPzJYo3c pic.twitter.com/sPyW10rh4n
— Kansas City Soccer (@KCRoosMSoccer) September 13, 2023
STATS TO NOTE
- The goals scored by Middleton and Cook were the first of each of their Kansas City careers. The Roos have had six different goal scorers on the year, each of whom entered the season with zero goals in the Roo blue and gold.
- Tonight's win was the third in program history against the Bluejays, who qualified to the 2022 Men's College Cup last season. It snapped a five-game losing streak to Creighton, with the last coming on Sep. 13, 2008.
- After being out-shot 7-2 in the first half, the Roos changed the tide and posted a 9-5 shot advantage in the second half.Â
- The Roos made just three substitutions on the day, with Caisson, Taboada, Cook, Robin Balters, Brevyn Cole, Seth Kacich, Miguel Fernandez and Edson Murguia all playing the full 90 minutes.
UP NEXT
Kansas City hits the road for a matchup with Santa Barbra on Saturday at 9 p.m. to close out this week's action.
Team Stats
Andrija Savic (2)
Assisted By: Miguel Arilla
GOAL by Jays Savic, Andrija Assist by Arilla, Miguel.
48:48
Brice Middleton (1)
Assisted By: Hector Taboada , Julien Le Bourdoulous
GOAL by Roos Middleton, Brice Assist by Taboada, Hector and Le Bourdoulous, Julien.
63:36
Griffin Cook (1)
Assisted By: Julien Le Bourdoulous
GOAL by Roos Cook, Griffin Assist by Le Bourdoulous, Julien.
88:49
