An imperfect ten: Sporting KC picked apart by Monterrey 5-2

Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty ImagesWell. At least they didn’t get shut out this time.

Sporting Kansas City showed some more promise in the home leg of the Champions League semifinal, but were eventually picked apart by the better Monterrey side as Rayados earned a 5-2 victory on Thursday night. The scoreline brought the series to a 10-2 final total on aggregate.

It started off with some optimism, however. After a solid opening showing for Sporting in the first few minutes, they opened up the scoring in the fifth minute. Winger Johnny Russell sent in a cross from the byline which found an unmarked Gerso Fernandes. Off-balance, Fernandes still got enough of his foot on it to send it past the…