Feilhaber 'surprised and disappointed' by bench role in win vs. LA Galaxy

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber had, for much of the 2015 season, put his name among the finest players in MLS for the Most Valuable Player race.

So, it came as a bit of a shock when Feilhaber was not named to the starting lineup in his side's crucial Decision Day match against the LA Galaxy - a game that Kansas City needed to win in order to clinch a playoff berth.

"No doubt about it, I was surprised and disappointed," Feilhaber said after the match. "But the No. 1 thing about this group is that the team comes first. That's the No. 1 thing, and I want this team to win - if I'm playing, if I'm not; if I come in in the second half, if I come in in the 90th minute, I want the team to win. That's my mentality."

That mentality certainly manifested itself on the field as Feilhaber came into the match in the second half and found Dom Dwyer with a smart through pass after pushing towards the Galaxy back line, playing provider with the assist for his side's second goal in a 2-1 win over Los Angeles.

His reaction left head coach Peter Vermes sufficiently impressed, such that he was forced to explain Feilhaber's omission from the starting lineup by reporters after the match.

"It was based on a lot of different variables," Vermes explained. “But at the end of the day, for us I know it was the right decision. He did exactly what he needed to do and I love the fact that his attitude was great when he came in the game. He gave a great ball to Dom, and that's what we needed at that time in the game. It was fantastic."

After his snub and subsequent assist, fans took to social media and dubbed the MLS MVP candidate "Angry Benny," crediting his performance level reaction as being motivated by the benching decision. The name reached Feilhaber's ears, to which he responded with a laugh and a moniker of his own.

"I'd like to think that there's a 'Playoff Benny' as well," he said. "I love playing in playoffs. It's a different atmosphere. As much as you want to say that every game means the same in the regular season, the playoffs is a different level. You're just focused more.

"I just love playing in the playoffs, and I'm just excited to be back there."