By FRANCO PANIZO
C.J. Sapong scored the first ever MLS goal at Livestrong Sporting Park, and it gave Sporting Kansas City its first ever win inside its new home.
Sporting Kansas City defeated the San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0, through a first-half goal from Sapong in front of a sold out crowd on Friday night. The win was Sporting Kansas City's second consecutive and gave San Jose its first loss since April 30.
The Earthquakes had chances to equalize throughout the game, but they were unable to capitalize as Jimmy Nielsen made a few key saves to improve Sporting Kansas City to 1-0-1 in its new home.
Sporting Kansas City began the match missing a golden chance, as Graham Zusi sent a shot wide after getting a one-on-one opportunity against Jon Busch.
Zusi made up for that miss in the 31st minute when he sent in a free kick from the right that Sapong was able to stretch out and knock into the back of the net with his left foot.
The Earthquakes made a couple of changes at halftime to try and find an equalizer, but Sporting Kansas City's defense was up for the challenge, keeping Steven Lenhart and the rest off the visitors' attack off the mark.
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What do you think of Sporting Kansas City's win over the Earthquakes? Impressed by Sapong's performance? Do you see Sporting Kansas City turning things around this season?
Share your thoughts below.
I would like to see us maintain wizards as our nickname. Being a fan since the team started, I think it is an appropriate way to remember our roots.
Skc, sporting, kc, wizards, sporks, or the team that has 7 pts in 8 days…
Hits from the Sapong! Atompshere was incredible, whole stadium joined the Cauldron in a few chants
Um…..no.
And where the heck is his hand going?
Since they’re actually red and white stripes why not the “White Stripes”? It almost sounds like a rock band..oh wait…
The Sporks
I like that SKC has (short) history that can give it a nickname, as KCBnB says. Not the most organic way to develop an identity, but cool nonetheless.
Also, does anyone else call Dallas the ‘Red Stripes’, or is that just the SBI staff? I thought it was the Hoops, but the Red Stripes is much better.
How about Sporking City?
Most diehard supporters still refer to them as the Wizards, not in a negative “Sporting Sucks” way but in the Man United are the Red Devils kind of way.
Because he is a pale vampire? Damn that’s creepy.
Okay, i counted, it was only 8!!! SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Do they have a nickname yet? Cause i don’t know if i can read another article where you repeat ‘Sporting Kansas City’ like 5,000 times, without exaggeration.
Good to see a big crowd at a SSS for a midweek game. This game would’ve drawn 8500 at Arrowhead six years ago.
Too bad the Quakes lost.
Congrats to SKC. Going to have to rock my original Wizards kit tomorrow.
Haha why is he biting sapong’s neck?
Though my team lost, im not too saddened. It was great seeing the quakes moving the ball around so well on the road and it was refreshing to see such a great turnout for a midweek game (was a sellout even though some ppl decided not to show up obviously)and the fans deserved to see at least a result. The stadium is just gorgeous! MLS is growing right before our eyes with KC getting their SSS, Houston getting theirs sometime next season, SJ getting theirs (hopefully) no later then the start of the 2013 season. Good to be an MLS fan right now.