KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — C.J. Sapong and Julio Cesar scored in the first half to help Sporting Kansas City beat Toronto FC 2-0 on Saturday night, spoiling the debut of new manager Paul Mariner.
Mariner, who had been Toronto’s director of player development, took over last week when Aron Winter was fired after a 1-9-0 start.
Graham Zusi had his eighth assist for Sporting (9-3-1), moving him back into a share of the MLS lead with Dwayne De Rosario of D.C. United, and Jimmy Nielsen made three saves for his sixth shutout.
Sapong put Kansas City up 1-0 in the 18th minute, scoring from close range after a cross from Jacob Peterson, and Julio Cesar added an insurance goal in the 35th when he volleyed home Zusi’s corner kick from the top right corner of the 6-yard box.
