Matt Besler's first goal since 2011 -- in stoppage time, no less -- gave Sporting KC a thrilling 3-2 victory against 10-man Columbus Crew SC at Children's Mercy Park on Sunday.
Crew SC went up 1-0 via a team goal finished off expertly by Ola Kamara, but Sporting clawed back to 2-1 after a red card to Tyson Wahl set up a Benny Feilhaber penalty kick and Graham Zusi strike. The home team appeared to have the advantage until Kamara popped up again to score his seventh goal in five games to make it 2-2.
That set the stage for Besler, who started the game on the bench after returning to Sporting following a busy month of June with the US national team in Copa America Centenario. When a free kick popped out to Jimmy Medranda, Ike Opara got on the end of the cross headed it across the goal to Besler at the back post for an easy finish.
The win pushed Kansas City (7-8-4, 25 pts) above the red line and into fourth place in the Western Conference. Crew SC fell to 3-6-7 (16 pts) and are second to last in the East.
Box Score
- 22' CLB -- Ola Kamara (Harrison Afful, Ethan Finlay)
- 49' SKC -- Benny Feilhaber (PK)
- 56' SKC -- Graham Zusi (Roger Espinoza)
- 75' CLB -- Ola Kamara (Tony Tchani)
- 90+1' SKC -- Matt Besler (Ike Opara, Jimmy Medranda)
- Full Box Score
- Stats
- Watch Highlights
Three Things
1. KAMARA STAYS RED HOT: After former Crew SC front man Kei Kamara scored twice for the Revs on Saturday, Ola Kamara matched him with a goal on either side of halftime. They were Kamara's sixth and seventh goals in MLS, in only 10 games and six starts.
2. ZUSI RETURNS WITH VIGOR: Sporting KC midfielder Graham Zusi says the United States' Copa America Centenario run inspired him, and it certainly showed. He struck the crossbar with a free kick, put the Crew SC back line under pressure with driving runs and even scored a thumping goal...with his left foot. It was his first goal of 2016.
3. GO ON GREGG: The players weren't the only ones producing highlights on Sunday night. Columbus Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter had the touch of the night with this picture-perfect scorpion kick.
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