RED BULLS DROP 2-0 DECISION TO SPORTING KANSAS CITY

The New York Red Bulls suffered their first home loss of the season on Wednesday, falling to Sporting Kansas City 2-0 at Red Bull Arena. The loss dropped New York to 14-8-7, 49 points on the season, keeping New York in third place in the Eastern Conference. Sporting, which got goals from C.J. Sapong and Kei Kamara, improved to 16-7-6, 54 points. New York was 10-0-3 at home before Wednesday’s defeat.

The Red Bulls return to action on Saturday when they travel to Gillette Stadium for a match with the New England Revolution at 7:30 PM (TV: MSG; Radio: 93.1 FM). New York returns home the following weekend on Saturday, September 29 to face Toronto FC at 7:00 PM. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging on towww.newyorkredbulls.com. 

The visitors took the lead in the 12^th minute. Graham Zusi took a free kick straight at goal from about 25 yards out and the ball ricocheted off the crossbar and back into the box. Matt Besler was first to it, and sent it in the direction of Sapong. With his back to goal, Sapong turned quickly and took a low shot that snuck inside the near post. 

Sporting K.C. doubled its lead just seven minutes later, again pouncing on a set-piece opportunity. Zusi struck an in-swinging corner from the left flag, finding Kamara from six-yards-out. Sporting’s leading scorer snapped a header past Bill Gaudette for his 11^th goal of the season. 

The Red Bulls nearly pulled one back in the 22^nd minute, when Rafa Marquez led an unmarked Thierry Henry into the box, but the Frenchman sailed his sharp-angle shot wide and high. New York’s search for a goal continued into the second half, and in the 57^th minute, substitute Kenny Cooper had a great chance off an Henry cross and wasn’t able to keep his header on frame. 

In the 78^th minute, goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen kept New York off the board when he got down to smother substitute Lloyd Sam’s effort. Later that minute, Gaudette kept it a two-goal game by parrying away a Kamara header. 

New York Red Bulls 0, Sporting Kansas City 2
September 19, 2012 – Red Bull Arena – Harrison, NJ
MLS Regular Season