Sporting Kansas City have moved up the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference following a 2-0 victory over the LA Galaxy at Children's Mercy Park on Wednesday.
Johnny Russell scored two more goals for Sporting KC to pace the home side, his eighth consecutive game finding the scoresheet, and his second straight with a match-winner coming off his decisive strike in a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.
With the three-point result, Sporting KC drew level with Seattle at the top of the West table on 58 points and grabbed temporary hold of the No. 1 seed via the second tiebreaker (goal differential).
Sporting KC came out firing early, coming inches from opening the scoring in just the second minute after a corner kick bounced around the box and eventually made its way to the feet of midfielder Ilie Sanchez, who saw his shot from inside the area bounce off the post.
The hosts continued to play on the front foot throughout most of the first half, and finally found their breakthrough in the 40th minute through Russell, who continued his torrid run of form. It was a clinical finish from the Scottish attacker, who evaded a defender on the right side of the penalty box and beat Jonathan Bond with a laser shot to the near post.
Russell added the insurance in the 82nd minute with a sublime bending strike to the top corner past the outstretched arm of a diving Bond to effectively put the match to bed.
Goals
- 40' - SKC - Johnny Russell
- 82' - SKC - Johnny Russell
