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Zusi, Sporting KC beat DC United to retake first place in Eastern Conference

ZusiGetty

Just days after capturing the US Open Cup title over the Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City carried that momentum back into MLS play and earned three huge points on Saturday.

Graham Zusi and Teal Bunbury each got their names on the scoresheet as Kansas City defeated DC United, 2-1, at Livestrong Sporting Park to put KC back in first place in the Eastern Conference.

Despite playing all 120 minutes in Sporting's Open Cup Final win, Zusi delivered the assist to Bunbury as the striker opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Zusi's corner kick found Bunbury, whose powerful header put Kansas City up 1-0.

United answered quickly, however, when Andy Najar made a run down the right flank and set up rookie Nick DeLeon, who beat Jimmy Nielsen for the equalizer ten minutes later.

Zusi wasn't finished, though. He got on the end of a Kei Kamara cross in the 63rd minute and pounded home a winner after the cross got past Bunbury and dropped to Zusi. His goal gave KC the three points, which put them back atop the Eastern Conference after the New York Red Bulls had eclipsed them Friday. DC, meanwhile, lost an opportunity to close in on the top teams in the East.

Here are the match highlights:

What did you think of the match? Impressed with Sporting KC's ability to come back and win after a tough mid-week U.S. Open Cup Final? Wondering what is wrong with the D.C. United attack?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Collin or Kamara are dirty players?? LOL, must be a Sounders fan…

    Both guys get free Swedish massages from defenders on every set piece. Yes, they are tall and muscular, but you don’t see any leg sweeps, eye pokes, etc., they just jump higher than a 5’7″ left back.

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  2. I have to agree. I’ve never seen Collin do anything intentionally dirty either. Kamara is physical, but people tend to play him physically as well. I don’t know how happy I’d be if defenders wrapped their arms around me every time I lined up for a corner.

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  3. I have never seen Collin do anything explicitly dirty. Of course he commits professional fouls from time to time but do does every other center back in the league. Please give me an example of dirty plays that he has made.

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  4. Santos definitely needs to be on the field over Tan. I know they said Santos had a knock last night but I hope that’s not just smoke from Olsen because Santos is in Olsen’s dog house. Tan definitely is actIve but he is a prototypical MLS reserve striker, he does everything but score goals and DCU probably should have held off on signing him since they have a glut of strikers in the first place. Lastly, DCU needs to get a starting 11 to march out on the field consistently, give some Players stability and tIme to gel.

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  5. Collin is probably one of the dirtiest players in the league and that is why he is good in the air. Kamara is also a real nasty player. That being said KC is the best in the league. There pressure caused DC fits last night. DC didn’t string 3 consecutive passes all night.

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  6. Why is Long Tan starting over Salihi and Santos? I know Santos was sick this game but he wasn’t last game. And does Benny have Josh wolff over Salihi now too?

    DC really missed DeRo’s presence in the midfield.

    A few super saves by Hamid lost made irrelevant by the slip on the second goal.

    Collin is a beast. KC may be the best team in the MLS in the air.

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