By GARRETT DAVEY
KANSAS CITY, Kansas -- Sporting Kansas City is one of the toughest teams in the league to beat at home, and doing so with ten men and without your top player makes the task all but impossible.
The New York Red Bulls learned that fact after seeing Thierry Henry sent off for violent conduct in the 28th minute. Sporting KC capitalized on the man advantage, with Teal Bunbury and C.J. Sapong providing the goals in a 2-0 victory at Livestrong Sporting Park on Saturday.
Kansas City enjoyed a bright start to the first half, holding on to the bulk of possession but failing to capitalize on a number of gilt-edged opportunities. Aurelien Collin should have scored on a header in the first minute after Omar Bravo chipped a ball into the box to a wide open Collin who put his shot just left of the post.
The victory moved Sporting KC back into first place in the Eastern Conference with one game remaining, while the loss left the Red Bulls hanging onto to the final MLS playoff spot.
The turning point in the match came in the 28th minute when Henry was issued a straight red card from match referee Kevin Stott. Henry lost possession in midfield to Roger Espinoza, and upon chasing after the play looked to fall over Espinoza, kneeing the Honduran in the back in the process.
At first glance, the contact appeared to be accidental, but Stott is confident that Henry “intentionally kicked an opposing player that was on the ground and the ball was not in playing distance.”
“I haven’t seen the replay, but the referee was very quick to give the red card,” said Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe.
After the sending off, KC bossed possession and creating more scoring chances.
“When (Thierry Henry) got thrown out it changed the game from the perspective that Julio (Cesar) could push up the field more," Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes said. "And at the same time push Roger (Espinoza) and (Graham) Zusi up the field.”
As the second half began, Sporting looked to exploit their one-man advantage, and they didn’t have to wait long. In the 57th minute, Teal Bunbury opened up the scoring after a Zusi corner found Davy Arnaud on the left of the box who headed the ball back across the box to Cesar who headed it to Bunbury who volleyed a right-footed shot past an outstretched Frank Rost.
C.J. Sapong’s first touch put Kansas City up 2-0 in the 74th minute when Matt Besler headed a corner down into the box to Sapong who right-footed past his defender and into the goal. Sporting KC captain Davy Arnaud said of Sapong, “I don’t know if people realize just how good CJ has been for us this year. He’s been outstanding every single game, and in my mind I don’t think there’s any question who the rookie of the year should be.”
With the win, Sporting clinch a playoff spot and move into a first-place tie on points with Philadelphia.
“I couldn’t be more happy or excited," said Sporting KC midfifelder Davy Arnaud. " First of all that we clinched the playoffs but second of all that we did it at home in front of our fans and in this amazing atmosphere.
"We feel we have the players here to have a very good team. The last couple of seasons not being involved in the playoffs have been tough. To be back where we want to be feels good.”
The loss still leaves Red Bulls with everything to play for in their final match, on Thursday against Philadelphia. A loss to the Union could allow the Red Bulls to be caught by either Portland or D.C. United, while a victory would clinch a playoff spot for New York.
“Conditions are clear for the last game. It’s a must win.”
New York Red (9-8-16, 43pts) play Philadelphia Union Thursday October 20. Sporting KC (12-9-12, 48pts) travel to D.C. United Saturday October 22 looking to capture the top spot in the final regular season match.
