Nemeth's hat trick powers Sporting Kansas City's rout of Montreal Impact

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:24 am

Krisztian Nemeth recorded a hat trick as host Sporting Kansas City set a franchise record for goals in a 7-1 victory over the Montreal Impact on Saturday afternoon.

Johnny Russell collected two goals and an assist, and Felipe Gutierrez and 16-year-old Gianluca Busio also tallied as Sporting Kansas City improved to 5-1-2 in its last eight regular-season matches against Montreal.

Tim Melia made a diving stop on Saphir Taider's strike in the 61st minute for his lone save for Sporting Kansas City, which upped its mark to 9-1-2 in its last 12 home matches.

Taider converted a penalty shot in the 89th minute for the Impact, who played without leading goal-scorer Ignacio Piatti (knee) and defender Zakaria Diallo (red card suspension).

After having an apparent goal overturned due to an offside call, Sporting Kansas City officially started the onslaught in the 10th minute. Nemeth's shot from the center of the box was blocked, but Russell quickly gained control and unleashed a left-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net.

Krisztian Nemeth's hat trick helped SKC ease past Montreal.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Russell recorded a brace to give Sporting Kansas City a 4-0 lead in the 50th minute, with his left-footed shot from the right side of the box sailing past a diving Evan Bush (two saves).

The two goals continued the good fortune of Russell, who also scored in the 88th minute to send Sporting Kansas City to a 1-1 draw against Colorado on March 17.

Gutierrez deposited Gerso's cross high into the net during stoppage time in the first half to give Sporting Kansas City a 3-0 lead.

Russell's second tally put Montreal on its heels to begin the second half, and Nemeth converted Russell's feed as Sporting Kansas City claimed a 5-0 advantage in the 68th minute.

Busio forced a turnover and beat Bush from in close in the 78th minute before Nemeth completed his hat trick six minutes later.

Montreal attempted to turn up the intensity, and received a pair of yellow cards in a three-minute stretch for its efforts. Daniel Lovitz was whistled in the 19th minute for a bad foul before Samuel Piette received the card following a poor challenge.