In an energetic and feisty derby match at Children's Mercy Park, Sporting Kansas City edged past St. Louis City by a scoreline of 2 to 1 on September 3rd, 2023. The match was marked by intense physical play and contentious refereeing decisions, which became the hot topic of post-match discussions on social media platforms.

St. Louis City got to an early lead in the 22nd minute when Samuel Adeniran netted a goal with the help of Indiana Vassilev. However, Sporting KC equalized almost ten minutes later, thanks to Alan Pulido's accurate finish off a pass from Dániel Sallói. Pulido, then, also hit the net again in the last minute of the first half, establishing a lead that Sporting KC held onto for the rest of the match.

The refereeing by A. Chapman was a contentious issue throughout the game, with fans from both sides expressing their frustration with the lack of control and inconsistency in his decisions. Many highlighted the exceptionally physical nature of the game, implying that Chapman's reluctance to call fouls led to a rough and tumble spectacle more akin to wrestling than to soccer. On social media, spectators shared jokes, memes, and heated comments about Chapman's performance.

Alan Pulido received a yellow card in the 71st minute, and Jacob Davis, who assisted Pulido's winning goal, was praised for his energetic performance despite his comparatively low earnings. Meanwhile, Roger Espinoza, who was brought on in the 86th minute, received a yellow card in the additional seven minutes.

Despite the criticisms of the officiating, fans commended the fiercely competitive spirit and high energy of the match. Many found the burgeoning rivalry between Sporting KC and St. Louis City promising and look forward to more exciting matchups. They expressed pleasant anticipation for the next games of both teams.

Sporting Kansas City will face Inter Miami on September 9, 2023, while St. Louis City takes on LA Galaxy on September 11, 2023.