Wondolowski's header sinks toothless Sporting Kansas City 1-0

San Jose has not been a friendly place for Sporting Kansas City. They haven't won there since Landon Donovan was paying tribute to Brandi Chastain. This match was no exception, as the San Jose Earthquakes downed Sporting Kansas City 1-0 at Buck Shaw Stadium.

It was a rather boring first half as both teams traded off possession, neither one really gaining an advantage. However there were some exciting moments, such as the 33rd minute. A free kick was sent into the box  where Goodson of the Earthquakes was able to get his head on the ball and direct it towards goal. It took a spectacular, one-handed save from Nielsen to keep the score level. Nielsen was also able to knock the ball out of range of a rebound attempt, therefore saving multiple possible chances for the Earthquakes.

Chance Myers also earned a yellow card in the first half after he plowed through Chris Wondolowski during an aerial challenge in the 23rd minute, followed by an Aurelien Collin caution in the 32nd minute. The physicality would continue the entire half and no one would be able to break through as the teams went into the half deadlocked at 0-0.

San Jose would receive that breakthrough in the 55th minute. Off of a deflection, Steven Beitashour recived a ball on the outside of the box and sent in a cross which found the head of an unmarked Chris Wondolowski. Even though Jimmy Nielsen was able to get some fingers on the ball, it was not enough to save it and the Earthquakes gained a 1-0 lead. It was Wondo's seventh goal of the season and Sporting would be playing the rest of the match from behind.

Coming back from a 1-0 deficit on the road is difficult enough. To do it without Graham Zusi and Kei Kamara would prove impossible, although Sporting did have some chances. They had seven corners in the match and some balls were crossed into the box, but only 9.5% of the crosses actually met their intended targets. There was an instance in the 66th minute where Soony Saad was taken down in the box chasing after a loose ball near the post, but no foul was called.

Sporting would not be able to record an equalizer before the final whistle and ended up falling to that 1-0 scoreline. With the loss, Sporting remained at the top of the Eastern Conference, but the Red Bulls are now tied with Sporting following their draw with Philadelphia. Sporting still remains two points down of Real Salt Lake in the Supporters Shield race, but kept their second place position. Sporting has a quick turnaround as they head to Chicago for a Friday night matchup against the Fire before returning home the following week to take on the Rapids.