New York Red Bulls Vs. Sporting Kansas City: Red Bulls Survive Second Half Sare To Beat KC, 1-0

For 45 minutes, the match was all New York Red Bulls. They went up a goal and looked like they were going to score several times more, but the second 45 minutes were a whole other story. Sporting Kansas City pushed the Red Bulls and challenged the home side, but KC couldn't find an equalizer and New York grabbed a 1-0 victory. With the win, the Red Bulls move back on top of the Eastern Conference, while the loss leaves Kansas City all alone in the cellar.

The Red Bulls had their chance to go on top early when Dwayne De Rosario drew a penalty, but Rafa Marquez's spot kick was slow and not near the corner, allowing Jimmy Nielsen to make an easy save. Nielsen didn't have that opportunity when the Red Bulls finally got on the scoreboard. A quick restart by Marquez was flicked on by Henry to De Rosario, who crossed to a streaking Rodgers. Rodgers finished with the first touch past a helpless Nielsen as the Sporting defenders appealed off an offside call on Rodgers. Replays showed the play to be very close and inconclusive, but the replays were insignificant anyways because the linesman's flag did not go up and the goal stood.

New York continued to push, but couldn't find a second goal and went into halftime with their 1-0 lead. The second half was a different story though. Kansas City did not dominate the second half the way New York dominated the first, but they pushed and pressured the Red Bulls' back line. Chances went wide and high though with Bouna Coundoul making saves on the couple chances that found the frame as the Red Bulls hung on for the three points.