Sporting Kansas City 2 - 1 Real Salt Lake
Final
  for this game

Opara leaves it late as SKC edges 10-man RSL

Jul 21, 2013 - 4:22 AM Sandy, UT (Sports Network) - Ike Opara scored deep in stoppage time on Saturday to lift Sporting Kansas City to a dramatic 2-1 victory over 10-man Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Robbie Findley opened the scoring for RSL in the 56th minute, but the goal was canceled out by a Soony Saad equalizer before Opara's heroics at the death allowed SKC to extend their margin atop the Eastern Conference to four points clear of second place Montreal Impact

Chances were at a premium over the duration of the first half, but the action picked up in the second half and the visitors had a great chance to score when Saad got a free header on goal, but it was cleared off the line by Joao Plata.

The hosts opened the scoring on a set-piece opportunity when Javier Morales chipped a ball into the penalty area. Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen came off his line to claim the ball, but couldn't make the catch which allowed Findley to easily nod it home.

But the tide turned for RSL in the 66th minute when defender Chris Wingert was sent off after he pulled Saad down from behind.

On the ensuing free kick Sporting found an equalizer when Saad got on the end of a loose ball in the box following a poor clearance from Lovel Palmer and side-footed it into the net.

The match appeared headed for a stalemate as the clock reached the seventh minute of stoppage time, but SKC snuck out with all three points when Opara got free to head home a corner kick from Graham Zusi.

Despite the loss, Real Salt Lake remains top of the Western Conference on 37 points.






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