D.C. United 1 - 2 Sporting Kansas City
Final
  for this game

Zusi stars as Sporting downs D.C.

Aug 12, 2012 - 2:38 AM Kansas City, KS (Sports Network) - Sporting Kansas City capped a memorable week by earning a 2-1 win over D.C. United at Livestrong Sporting Park on Saturday.

Kansas City nabbed the first piece of silverware of the American soccer season on Wednesday, edging Seattle Sounders FC on penalties to clinch the U.S. Open Cup title.

Sporting followed up that memorable win with a league victory to lift the club to the top of the Eastern Conference with 43 points on the season.

Graham Zusi was the star of the show against United, providing the assist on Teal Bunbury's opening goal - which was canceled out by Nick DeLeon shortly after - before notching the game-winner in the second half.

Kansas City (13-7-3) has won two in a row while D.C. (11-8-3) has lost three of its last four to stay put on 36 points for the season.

Sporting jumped out to a lead in just the 13th minute when Zusi's corner kick was headed home by Bunbury.

It took D.C. United only 10 minutes to equalize though, as Andy Najar's cross fell fortuitously for DeLeon, who was able to slam the loose ball past Jimmy Nielsen.

Sporting hit the woodwork twice as Pablo Nagamura struck the post in the 38th minute and Zusi rattled the crossbar in the 53rd minute, but the home side eventually grabbed the lead in the 63rd minute.

Kei Kamara found space on the left flank and picked out an unmarked Zusi at the back post. The 25-year-old settled the delivery with one touch before firing a low shot past Bill Hamid for what turned out to be the difference between the two sides on the night.

Sporting will look to extend its lead at the top of the East on August 18 when it heads to BMO Field to face Toronto FC. United will hope to get back on track on August 19 when it hosts the Philadelphia Union in a massive clash at RFK Stadium.






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