Sporting KC defeated the Philadelphia Union 2-1 at LiveSTRONG Sporting Park in their final regular season match of the 2012 MLS season. It caps a strong regular season where they will head into the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs as the top team in the Eastand second place overall.
Top seed in the East
Sporting needed a draw or better to clinch the top spot in the Eastern Conference and they accomplished that on Wednesday night. KC will have home field advantage throughout the Eastern Conference and could host MLS Cup against any team except the San Jose Earthquakes. The match wasn't the best performance of the season by Sporting but they found a way to get the three points. It was a tough test and much credit to a Philadelphia side that was resilient after conceding a first half goal.
Kamara with a strong performance
The Man of the Match for Sporting KC was Kei Kamara. He was consistently dangerous in the attack and assisted on both goals. Kamara sent a great pass to Jacob Peterson in the first half and a perfectly weighted through ball to CJ Sapong in the second half. Kamara set personal bests in goals and assists this season and will be a key player in the playoffs.
Momentum heading into the playoffs
A draw would have been a decent result but Wednesday night's victory definitely gives the team a boost heading into the playoffs. After draws at Columbus and New York, Sporting won their first match since September and extend their unbeaten streak 12 games (second longest in club history). Sporting are playing as well as any team in MLS and if they can continue to get draws or better, will make a deep run in the playoffs. The team's ability to take a punch (Philly equalizing in second half) and then take control of the match (Sapong's game winner) was impressive.
