HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — C.J. Sapong and Kei Kamara scored first-half goals and Sporting KC won the battle for first place in the Eastern Conference and extended its unbeaten streak to seven games with a 2-0 victory over the Red Bulls on Wednesday night.
Graham Zusi added his MLS-high 14th assist of the season as Sporting KC (16-7-6) opened a four-point lead over second-place Chicago and a five-point bulge over third-place New York (14-8-7) with five games left in the regular season.
Sporting KC came in with the MLS’ best defense (25 goals allowed) and goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen didn’t have to make his first save until the 56th minute in recording his league-best 12th shutout. He finished with four saves in handing New York its first loss at Red Bull Arena in 14 games (10-1-3).
The Red Bulls would have moved into first place in the conference with a win.
