Sporting Kansas City 1 - 0 Chivas USA
Final
  for this game

Sapong preserves Sporting's perfect start

Apr 2, 2012 - 3:05 AM Carson, CA (Sports Network) - Sporting Kansas City maintained its perfect start to the season by grinding out a 1-0 win over Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center on Sunday.

C.J. Sapong recorded the only goal of the match, striking in the 47th minute to see Sporting begin the season with a 4-0-0 record for the first time in club history.

Following a tame first half, play slightly opened up just two minutes after the restart as Sapong netted his third goal of the season.

Graham Zusi uncorked a screamer that rattled the crossbar and bounced back into play. The midfield maestro followed his shot and was able to nod the rebound back in front of goal to find Sapong, who waiting to head the ball past Dan Kennedy for the lone tally of the match.

Chivas came close to leveling the score moments later when Laurent Courtois played in Nick LaBrocca, but his shot trickled past Sporting 'keeper Jimmy Nielsen and hit the base of the post before rolling out of play.

The remainder of the match simmered with scoring chances at a premium as both sides seemed to cancel each other out tactically.

Sporting's dominant start to the season has seen the club concede just once. Only Vancouver Whitecaps FC has bettered that statistic as Martin Rennie's men have yet to allow a goal.

Kansas City will face a stern test next time out as it hosts a Los Angeles Galaxy team that is desperate for a win. They will meet at Livestrong Sporting Park on April 7.

Chivas (1-3-0) was unable to build upon its surprising 1-0 defeat of Real Salt Lake as it drops its third result of the season. The Goats will look to bounce back on April 7 when they face the Portland Timbers in a massive Western Conference fixture at Jeld-Wen Field.






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