Coming into the match it was a question of who was going to be rotated with a midweek fixture to deal with but in the end Sporting Kansas City didn’t need their full strength side as they dispatched with Chivas USA 4-0 on a chilly Sunday afternoon.

While it would be easy to talk up the good performance by the offense, especially the brace for Claudio Bieler, it must be said that it was the solid defensive display by Sporting KC in the 38 shutout in the MLS career of club captain Jimmy Nielsen.

Former Wizard legend Tony Meola, MLS MVP in the 2000 championship season, previously held the record of 37 while at the club.  Nielsen is the 17th player to hit this number and did so in the fewest games played(104).

Aside from the landmark set by keeper Nielsen the second string back-line of Seth Sinovic, Aurelien Collin, Ike Opara, and Mechack Jerome was able to hold Chivas from having a shot on goal.

The defense has been the backbone of the squad in their successes and it must be said that with this result with two of the four typical members of the defense out there is evidence the the depth has been built and when the fixture list will thicken with the US Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League there will be the trust of the fans in whomever is in the starting 11.

Up top it was the club designated player, Claudio Bieler, who scored a brace that was all that was needed. The first, before halftime Bieler needed to cut back to score. Bieler’s second came from the spot kick as he was brought down in the box by Chivas keeper Dan Kennedy, who was surprisingly issued his marching orders, putting it past new keeper Patrick McLain to give him six on the year; a place on top of the Golden Boot award.

The goal scoring was finished up by Graham Zusi and CJ Sapong who were able to benefit from being up a man as each goal was the cap on a strong offensive move involving many Sporting players.

With a match against Seattle Sounders, a re-match of the 2012 US Open Cup final, on Wednesday it would seem that Peter Vermes has been able to rotate his squad to meet the demands and with the good performances of the bench players it can be expected that