Sporting Kansas City defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-1 at Lumen Field on Saturday in a clash atop the Western Conference.
Rémi Walter opened the scoring early for SKC, firing home a strong left-footed shot in the fourth minute.
SKC took a 1-0 lead into halftime before the Sounders came out flying in the second half. After a bizarre sequence in the 56th minute, in which SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia took down Cristian Roldan in his own net, Nicolas Benezet scored his third goal of the season in the 58th minute when he deflected home a header from Roldan off a corner kick from João Paulo.
Six minutes later, the Sounders nearly took the lead when Roldan’s header off a João Paulo free kick was saved by Melia. The Sounders continued to pepper the SKC goal in the final half hour but were unable to find another breakthrough.
Johnny Russell scored the match-winner for SKC in the 80th minute, his third in as many matches for Sporting against the Sounders this season.
Roldan then had a chance to equalize in the third minute of stoppage time, but his laser of a volley rattled the crossbar.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Race in the West tightens
SKC picked up a crucial three points to pull within three points of Seattle for first in the West with a match in hand. SKC won both of their matches in Seattle this season, while the Sounders won a few weeks ago in Kansas City.
Quick turnaround
The Sounders head to Los Angeles for a rare Tuesday night match against LAFC at Banc of California Stadium (7:30 p.m. PT; ESPN, ESPN Deportes, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). The Black and Gold find themselves just outside the playoff picture and will be desperate for points at home as the regular season nears its conclusion.
João Paulo suspended
The Sounders will be without likely 2021 MLS Best XI central midfielder João Paulo on Tuesday against LAFC. The Brazilian picked up a caution in the first half on Saturday and will be suspended for yellow-card accumulation midweek.
