Final
Kamara's late goal lifts Sporting over FC Dallas
Mar 26, 2012 - 1:23 AM Kansas City, KS (Sports Network) - Kei Kamara got himself off the hook Sunday night.Kamara missed a penalty early in the second half of a tied match, but followed with the match-winner in the 88th minute as Sporting Kansas City won its third straight to open season, 2-1 over FC Dallas at Livestrong Sporting Park.
Sporting Kansas City (3-0-0) began the year with shutout wins over D.C. United and the New England Revolution, but had to overcome an early Ricardo Villar to top previously unbeaten FC Dallas (1-1-1).
Villar scored in the 25th minute for Dallas, but Aurelien Collin answered with seconds remaining in the first half for Kansas City. Kamara missed the penalty 6 minutes into the second half, but made up for it late.
Chance Myers set up the goal with a blazing run down the right wing that ended with a cross to the near post. Kamara raced to meet the ball, held off Dallas defender Ugo Ihemelu, and slotted inside the near post past Kevin Hartman.
Hartman did his part to deny his former club a third straight win early in the second half. Myers won a penalty when he drove into the area and Ihemelu stuck his leg in and brought him down.
Kamara drove the penalty toward the lower left, but Hartman dove to get a hand on the ball and pushed it around the post to keep the match tied at 1-1.
On the strength of Villar's free-kick goal in the 25th minute, Dallas was in position to escape Kansas City with a share of the points, but Kamara - who nearly set up Graham Zusi for the winner and was again denied by Hartman - atoned late.
Sporting is one of just four unbeatens remaining in MLS after just three weeks and one of just two clubs, along with Seattle Sounders FC, which are perfect.
Kansas City will try to continue its early-season run at Chivas USA on April 1 and FC Dallas will try to rebound Friday at winless D.C. United.
- FC DALLAS: 1
SPORTING KANSAS CITY: 2
Final
Mar 25 9:03 PM - Kansas City Goal - Kamara 1 (Myers), 88th minute
FC Dallas 1, Sporting Kansas City 2 89'Mar 25 8:57 PM - Sporting Kansas City Goal - Collin 1 (Zusi), 45th minute
FC Dallas 1, Sporting Kansas City 1 45'Mar 25 8:00 PM - FC Dallas Goal - Villar 2 (unassisted), 25th minute
FC Dallas 1, Sporting Kansas City 0 28'Mar 25 7:35 PM - FC DALLAS: 0
SPORTING KANSAS CITY: 0
1st Half - 1'
Mar 25 7:07 PM
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