Before Friday night, the most memorable thing about him was his name. After Friday, the most memorable thing about Hunter Jumper is still his name (come on, his name is Hunter Jumper), but with his goal early against Sporting Kansas City, the Chicago Fire’s 2012 first round pick started giving fans, especially Kansas City fans, a reason to remember him. Instead of being the defender from Virginia with the comic book name, he’s the defender from Virginia with the comic book name who beat Sporting.
The moment comes at the beginning of the highlights, above, in the 13th minute at Toyota Park. Look at the two touches prior to Jumper’s header: A cross from Jalil Anibaba that was a little more driven than we’re used to seeing; and a nice touch from Mike Magee (who else) to keep it in play. That effort led to the game’s only goal.
For Kansas City, who had a chance to go clear at the top of the East, it’s their fourth loss in five games, the second-in-a-row to teams on the wrong side of their conference’s playoff pictures (having lost to San Jose on Sunday). That slump’s kept New York, Montréal, and Philadelphia within reach, with Houston lurking.
Chicago, rebounding from their weekend loss to New England, continue to lurk on the edge of the playoffs. They’re now within two of fifth place Dynamo, having temporarily re-passed New England for sixth. Although the Revolution face Philadelphia this weekend, giving them a chance to reclaim fifth, Chicago will have one fewer game played than the Revs.
Not that sixth place means anything. Fifth is the goal here.
