Sporting KC tops D.C. United, surges into second place
When LIVESTRONG Sporting Park opened in June, Sporting Kansas City was in last place in the division.
After topping D.C. United 1-0 Sunday night at home, Sporting KC now stands in second place in the Eastern Division.
It’s been a steady rise for Sporting KC as the club has taken advantage of home-field advantage to the fullest extent. The club is now 6-1-4 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park since it opened June 9.
Sunday’s match was the second in a span of five days for Sporting Kansas City. Despite the quick turnaround, Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes fielded a side that was largely unchanged from the one that defeated the Portland Timbers 3-1 Wednesday at home.
After narrowly missing the frame after being set up by C.J. Sapong in the second minute, Kei Kamara continued to pressure the D.C. goal and put a header off the crossbar in the 16th minute.
Kamara broke through in the 19th minute when Designated Player Omar Bravo sent a curling left-footed cross into the box. D.C. United left back Daniel Woolard headed it clear, but Kamara tracked the ball down who drilled a right-footed shot past D.C. keeper Joe Willis and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
D.C. United struggled to generate opportunities. Its first chance came in the 40th minute, but Blake Bretschneider’s low shot was stopped by Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen.
Both squads had a handful of opportunities to score in the second half, but neither was able to capitalize.
Sporting Kansas City improved to 9-7-9 overall this season.
Sporting KC next plays at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at home against FC Dallas.