Despite poor run of form early in the season that saw Sporting Kansas City only get one point in 7 matches; Sporting, now unbeaten in 10 straight matches in all competitions, are in position to make playoffs. The last match, a 2-1 win in Portland, was their 8th straight match unbeaten in MLS play.
On Saturday, Sporting were able to escape the hostile crowd at JELD-WEN Field with 3 points as they climbed up into fourth place in eastern conference and into the final MLS playoff spot. They were able to take early lead on goals from C.J. Sapong and Aurelien Collin just minutes apart. However, Portland was able to pull back to within a goal as Darlington Nagbe scored a wonder goal just before halftime. This was all the scoring as the second half was filled with few opportunities for each team and was only filled with 4 yellow cards (2 for each team) including one in 2nd half stoppage time for time wasting by goalkeeper Jimmy Nielson.
11 of Sporting’s next 12 league matches are played at home; which provides Sporting fans with hope for continued success for the rest of the season. They will next be in action on Wednesday vs. Colorado Rapids at Livestrong Sporting Park. The season’s turning point was earlier this year on May 28th in Colorado as Sporting was able to bounce back and get a draw after falling down a goal early. Since then Sporting have 4 wins and 3 draws prompting them to jump up the eastern conference standings.
Image courtesy of Andrew Wiebe
