Earthquakes' Comeback Falls Short in 2-1 Defeat against Sporting KC

May 27, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS) San Jose Earthquakes

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the San Jose Earthquakes nearly made their second comeback of the week on the road, but their second half rally came up just short as they fell 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park on Sunday. Simon Dawkins scored in the 72nd minute and despite holding 61 percent of the possession in the second half, the Quakes could not find the equalizer.

Sporting KC came out strong in the first half, scoring just five minutes into the game. Kei Kamara found C.J. Sapong with a cross to the back post and Sapong powered a volley past Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch.

Just minutes before halftime, Kamara was involved again, as he rose high to drive home a header from eight yards out. Michael Harrington picked out Kamara with a cross and he finished to make it 2-0 heading into intermission.

San Jose's strong second half culminated in Dawkins' goal with under 20 minutes to go. Ramiro Corrales knocked a header down to Dawkins, who took a touch around a defender, before curling a shot to the far post over a diving Jimmy Nielsen.

Despite some late pressure, San Jose could not replicate their late comeback from Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Galaxy. The Quakes scored three times in the final 15 minutes to beat the Galaxy 3-2 at The Home Depot Center on May 23.

The Earthquakes return to play in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, May 29 against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League. The game kicks off at Cagan Stadium at Stanford University at 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets are now available at sjearthquakes.com at $15 for the general public and $10 for Quakes season ticket holders.

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