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Played
August 17, 2011 8:35 PM EDT
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park — Kansas City, Kansas
Referee: E. Bazakos
Attendance: 15271
August 17, 2011 8:35 PM EDT
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park — Kansas City, Kansas
Referee: E. Bazakos
Attendance: 15271
Sporting Kansas City 3-1 Portland Timbers: Graham Zusi brace paces KC into playoff position
Kansas City moved up to third in the East after a smooth 3-1 win over visiting Portland. Zusi hit a brace and birthday boy Soony Saad scored on his MLS debut.
By Zac Lee Rigg
Jamie Squire
A Graham Zusi brace and Soony Saad's debut goal eased Sporting Kansas City to a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers Wednesday night. Bright Dike pulled one back late for the visitors, but the game will likely be remembered for a bobblehead striking Jimmy Nielsen's face.
Kansas City had some early luck with long-range shots, with two going close. Zusi made the third count by blasting Sporting into the lead. Before halftime he doubled his tally by scooping home a blocked shot following a melee from a corner.
Prior to that goal, however, an Omar Bravo bobblehead -- handed out to fans prior to the game -- was thrown onto the pitch. It struck goalkeeper Nielsen below the eye, and the Dane required stitches before he could continue.
With the life-sized Bravo suspended, Saad made his MLS debut and scored what will surely stand as the flukiest goal of his professional career. Eric Brunner beat him to a ball, but the clearance deflected off Saad and looped back over Troy Perkins into the Timbers net. The University of Michigan dropout was celebrating his 19th birthday.
Bright Dike also scored his first MLS goal, notching a consolation with a scuffed strike that trickled in at the far post.
With the win Sporting leapfrogs the New York Red Bulls into third place in the Eastern Conference, good for an automatic playoff spot were the regular season to end immediately.
Kansas City had some early luck with long-range shots, with two going close. Zusi made the third count by blasting Sporting into the lead. Before halftime he doubled his tally by scooping home a blocked shot following a melee from a corner.
Prior to that goal, however, an Omar Bravo bobblehead -- handed out to fans prior to the game -- was thrown onto the pitch. It struck goalkeeper Nielsen below the eye, and the Dane required stitches before he could continue.
With the life-sized Bravo suspended, Saad made his MLS debut and scored what will surely stand as the flukiest goal of his professional career. Eric Brunner beat him to a ball, but the clearance deflected off Saad and looped back over Troy Perkins into the Timbers net. The University of Michigan dropout was celebrating his 19th birthday.
Bright Dike also scored his first MLS goal, notching a consolation with a scuffed strike that trickled in at the far post.
With the win Sporting leapfrogs the New York Red Bulls into third place in the Eastern Conference, good for an automatic playoff spot were the regular season to end immediately.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |