Sporting Kansas City were touted as favorites to win the Eastern Conference in the preseason, but it might be time to call them favorites to win MLS Cup. Of course, it is still very early, and the LA Galaxy are not anywhere near the dominant team that people expected them to be, but after defeating LA, 1-0, on Saturday, Sporting are a perfect 5-0-0 and no team has looked more impressive.
Sporting Kansas City Vs. LA Galaxy, 2012 MLS: SKC Makes Claim For Tops In MLS With Win
It took 40 minutes for Sporting to go in front, but it wasn't as if the goal wasn't coming. They were better from the beginning and their goal was only just. Bobby Convey cut in from the right and played a great ball into Kei Kamara, whose run was perfectly timed. With LA trying, and failing, to play an offside trap, Kamara was in all alone for a simple header in front that he buried for the winner.
Sporting may have only scored one, but they were strong the whole match. Josh Saunders had to make two fine saves to keep Kansas City from adding to their lead and LA generated very few chances in the contest. Sporting defense, which has allowed just one goal this season, were strong and with the Galaxy strike partnership of Edson Buddle and Robbie Keane playing terribly, things were never going to go well for LA.
In the end, Kansas City skipped away with a deserved win. If they can win next week at Salt Lake then they’ll certainly become favorites to win MLS Cup. That’s a trophy LA won last year, but with just three points from four matches, they don’t look much the part of defending champions.
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