Sporting Kansas City are on the verge of an Eastern Conference championship after a 0-0 draw with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. They need just a draw, or a D.C. United draw or loss next week to clinch the top spot in the East, but one thing that they do not have a chance at anymore is the Supporters' Shield, which is the San Jose Earthquakes' by virtue of Sporting's draw.
New York Red Bulls vs. Sporting Kansas City: Final score 0-0, SKC draw means San Jose wins Supporters’ Shield
Kansas City wasn’t at their best and they did manage to win away to New York, but those two dropped points clinched the Supporters’ Shield for San Jose.
Jeff Zelevansky
The Red Bulls weren't particularly good, but they still had the better of the play for 90 minutes. Kenny Cooper had a good chance from in close and Jimmy Nielsen made a handful of fine saves to keep Sporting even.
New York almost saw their superior play go to waste late on when Kei Kamara got on the end of a Graham Zusi cross and headed for what looked like a sure goal, but Luis Robles made a great save to keep the match even.
Most of Sporting's play came through Zusi, who was good, but they still clearly missed Roger Espinoza in the center. Still, they came away with a point, which considered their poor play, is a good result.
The draw leaves Kansas City three points clear of D.C. for first place in the East. New York is back in fourth place, but just three points back of D.C. and thanks to the Columbus Crew's loss, have no clinched a playoff spot.
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