Sporting KC beat Fire to clinch playoff spot

Posted September 29, 2012 12:13 am

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Graham Zusi scored two goals, and Sporting Kansas City clinched a playoff spot with a 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire on Friday night.

Jimmy Nielsen had to make one save to record his league-leading 14th shutout for Sporting (17-7-7), which extended its unbeaten streak to nine matches and widened its Eastern Conference lead to five points over the Fire. Sporting had not won against Chicago at home since a 3-2 victory on Aug. 22, 2007.

Chicago (16-8-7) had a four-match winning streak snapped and lost for just the second time in nine games.

Zusi put Sporting up 1-0 in the 11th minute, running onto Kei Kamara’s cross and one-timing the ball past Sean Johnson. He scored unassisted in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, working his way free and slotting the ball home just seconds from the final whistle.

Chicago manager Frank Klopas and Fire defender Gonzalo Segares were both ejected in second-half stoppage time, Klopas drawing a straight red card from referee Chris Penso and Segares picking up his second caution. Both will be suspended for Chicago’s next match, on Wednesday at home against Philadelphia.

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