October 24, 2012
MLS ROUNDUP
Sporting KC beat Union, clinch top spot in MLS East

CJ Sapong had the game-winning goal and an assist as Sporting Kansas City clinched the Eastern Conference regular season title with Wednesday’s 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

KANSAS CITY, Kan.---Sporting Kansas City nailed down first place in the MLS East and the top seed in the upcoming conference playoffs with Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union at Livestrong Sporting Park.

CJ Sapong paced Sporting with the 83rd-minute game-winner and an assist, and Kei Kamara assisted on both Kansas City goals. Antoine Hoppenot kept things interesting for the Union, snagging the rebound after goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen blocked Michael Farfan’s penalty kick and leveling the score 1-1 in the 52nd minute.

Sporting took the lead in the 40th minute. Sapong sent a ball from midfield wide to Kamara. Kamara sent a perfect ball forward for Jacob Peterson, who beat two Union defenders and slid the ball under goalkeeper Zac Mac Math, who otherwise kept things close with three clutch first-half saves.

Kamara also set up the go-ahead goal with a brilliant run up the middle. He split three Union defenders with a perfectly-timed pass to Sapong on the right side, and he slotted the ball into the net.

Philadelphia forward Jack McInerney had two golden chances to extend his goal scoring streak to five games, chipping Nielsen with a ball that bounced just outside the net and went wide in the 36th minute, and heading the ball off the right post in the 58th.



The win improves Sporting to 18-7-9, 63 points, while the Union fall to 10-17-6, 36 points.

Full story from Philly Soccer News