With a playoff place and ever-more-crucial points in the balance, Sporting Kansas City felt their Saturday match with the LA Galaxy hinged on a contentious penalty kick call issued by referee Jair Marrufo in the 23rd minute.
Galaxy forward Ola Kamara had been played into the box, and went down as he took a heavy touch. Marrufo immediately called a penalty kick and after a check was conducted, as per Video Review guidelines, the referee upheld his original decision. Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up and slotted home the penalty kick. Johnny Russell scored a late equalizer to salvage a home result with a 1-1 draw, but that didn't salve the early irritation.