By BRYAN ROBISON
With Sporting Kansas City sporting a top lineup, the Eastern Conference leading squad proved why they sit at the top of the standings, defeating Toronto FC, 1-0, at BMO Field on Saturday.
Despite not taking the lead until the final ten minutes of the match, there was no question who the better squad was on the day. While Toronto had their chances, mostly thanks to Torsten Frings, it was Kei Kamara on the other side who proved to be the man of the match, putting Kansas City ahead late in the match and earning three points for the first place club.
Reds goalkeeper Milos Kocic was busy throughout the first half, stopping an array of shots from Sporting Kansas City. Toronto was unable to capitalize on the counter, yielding only a handful of opportunities to threaten the opposing side.
Sporting Kansas City held off a few chances by Toronto in the second half, then wrote the final chapter of the game with a Kei Kamara goal in the 82nd minute to take the lead 1-0. That chapter closed the book on the day, as Kamara knocked in the free kick for his ninth goal on the year.
For Kansas City and Toronto, it was a book that has become all too familiar in 2012. The win gives Kansas City their third in a row, following a July that saw them win just once in six matches. For Toronto, it is also much of the same, as they extend their winless streak to four matches.
Toronto will look to turn the month around, as they will travel to Columbus to take on the Crew on Wednesday night. The match was originally supposed to take place last weekend, but was postponed following the passing of Columbus Crew midfielder Kirk Urso.
Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City will look to continue their current momentum, as they will return home to take on the New York Red Bulls next Sunday night. The match will pit the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, and will be the first time the clubs have faced each other this season. They will play each other twice more in the final five weeks of the season.
Here are the match highlights:
Will Kansas City be able to continue their current form? Will Toronto be able to climb out of the cellar of the Eastern Conference? Share your thoughts below.
Next weekend’s match between SKC and RBNY will be telling. If KC’s back line can shut down NY’s offense, Sporting will likely win the East for the second year in a row. If not, it might very well be Red Bulls’ year.