Kansas City, KS (Sports Network) - Sporting Kansas City is still perfect.
Aurelien Collin scored in the second half and Kansas City posted its fifth
shutout through six matches, 1-0 over Real Salt Lake on Saturday in a battle
of the top two clubs in Major League Soccer at Livestrong Sporting Park.
Sporting (6-0-0) extended its record streak of not allowing a shot on goal to
335 minutes, which lasted until Real (5-2-0) tested goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen
in stoppage time.
Kansas City has allowed just one goal this season in one of the best start's
in the league's history, as center backs Matt Besler and Collin have made it
easy on Nielsen to this point in the season.
Sporting controlled the match up of Eastern and Western Conference leaders,
and nearly pulled in front late in the first half when C.J. Sapong headed a
shot past RSL goalie Nick Rimando.
Referee Kevin Stott waved the goal off due to a foul on Sapong, but Sporting
treated a crowd of 19,422 to match-winner in the second half.
Graham Zusi swung a corner kick in from the left, and Collin sneaked unmarked
to the edge of the six-yard box to power a header past Rimando from close
range for his second goal of the season. Zusi's assist was his MLS-best sixth.
Although Sporting's scoring threats were also rare, Zusi almost produced a
second goal in the 75th minute off another corner, but Kei Kamara had a strong
header from just six yards denied by a sprawling Rimando.
Sporting did not allow a shot on goal in its last two games, wins over Chivas
USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy, and made it into stoppage time before Nat
Borchers put a header on goal against Real.
Kansas City allowed its only goal this season against FC Dallas on March 25,
and that was the last shot on goal before Borchers' attempt. Nielsen has been
in goal for all six matches this season.
Sporting will try to extend its amazing streak Wednesday in Canada against
Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Real visits the San Jose Earthquakes in a battle of
the top West clubs April 21.
GAME NOTES:
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