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Sporting KC Winning Streak Snapped in 1-0 Defeat at Portland Timbers

April 22, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Sporting Kansas City had their club record seven-match winning streak snapped on Saturday, as the team dropped a 1-0 result away to the Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field in Portland. A first half own goal from Chance Myers was enough to give Portland the victory as Sporting Kansas City were held without a goal of their own for the first time during the 2012 season.

Sporting Kansas City forward C.J. Sapong created the first chance of the match, spinning beyond Portland centerback Hanyer Mosquera to get to the byline before cutting a pass back towards the top of the area. Sapong's pass found fellow forward Kei Kamara near the penalty spot, but Kamara's left-footed effort was saved well by Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins, who collapsed quickly down to his left to smother the effort.

Midfielder Graham Zusi nearly put Sporting Kansas City in front in the 23rd minute from a set piece situation. Standing over a free kick on the left, Zusi curled a right-footed effort towards the back post that nearly made its way past Perkins and into the far corner.

Former Sporting Kansas City midfielder Jack Jewsbury was at the end of Portland's first chance of the evening in the 26th minute. Sporting Kansas City forward Bobby Convey was dispossessed in the team's defensive third before Jewsbury stabbed a shot through a cluster of bodies that was caught by Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen.

Less than a minute later, Myers almost broke the deadlock, collecting a cross from Roger Espinoza at the back post before taking a touch into the area and blazing ashot over the bar.

In the 42nd minute, Portland went in front courtesy of an own goal from Myers. Breakingthrough the midfield, Timbers midfielder Diego Chara played forward Kris Boyd into the channel down the right. Boyd sent a cross toward the back post that was pursued by both Myers and Julio Cesar, but the two collided as the ball was headed by Myers past Nielsen to give Portland the lead.

Convey had a low shot blocked away by Timbers defender Mike Chabala just a minute later, but Sporting Kansas City still went into halftime trailing for the first time during the 2012 season.

Boyd could have extended the Timbers lead in the 47th minute. Released in behind the Sporting Kansas City backline, Chara laid a pass across the top of the area that appeared to be intended for Timbers forward Jorge Perlaza. Perlaza let the ball run beyond him, however, and Boyd's left-footed shot was blocked over the crossbar by a diving Nielsen.

Espinoza was able to let fly an effort from long range in the 63rd minute, but his left-footed strike sailed just over the bar as Sporting Kansas City continued to search for an equalizer.

Six minutes later, Chara was again at the center of a quality chance for Portland. Chasing down a long ball out of the back, Chara cut pas Sporting Kansas City defender Seth Sinovic before laying a pass to the top of the area for Jewsbury. Jewsbury struck his shot first time, but it was blocked away by Collin for a corner.

Sporting Kansas City created one more chance before the final whistle as a Matt Besler throw-in wreaked havoc in the Portland area. Challenging at the near post, substitute forward Teal Bunbury forced Perkins to misplay the ball as it slipped through his hands and was blocked off the line by Mosquera.

That chance was the last that Sporting Kansas City would see on the night, as the club's record receives its first blemish and now stands at 7-1-0 on the year.

Sporting KC will enjoy a week off from MLS action before hosting the Montreal Impact on Saturday, May 5 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com or at the LSP Box Offices.

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