Sporting KC Beats Red Bulls 2-0 To Clinch Playoff Berth
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — C.J. Sapong scored and Sporting Kansas City clinched a playoff berth with a 2-0 victory on Saturday over the New York Red Bulls, who lost forward Thierry Henry to a red card in the first half.
Teal Bunbury also scored for Kansas City (12-9-12), which moved into a first-place tie with Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have 48 points with one game remaining.
New York (9-8-16), which has 43 points, had to play much of the game a man down after Henry was sent off in the first half.
Henry, who came in with 14 goals — tying him for the league lead — was given a red card in the 28th minute for kneeing Roger Espinoza in the back as Espinoza sat on the field.
Henry will be suspended for the Red Bulls' regular-season finale against Philadelphia on Thursday.
Sapong entered in the 73rd minute and made it 2-0 in the 74th with a half-volley off an assist from Matt Besler.
Bunbury, who shot wide right on two breakaways in the first half, didn't miss in the 57th minute.
After a corner kick in New York's end, the ball bounced before Kansas City's Julio Cesar headed it to Bunbury for a volley into the lower-left corner.
