Sapong drives the bus, Sporting Kansas City defeats Toronto FC 2-1

CJ Sapong's stellar day was enough for Sporting Kansas City as they defeated Toronto FC 2-1 on a rainy day in Canada.

Sapong used his head twice to get in the net for Sporting, doubling his goal total from the rest of the season.

After both teams fuddling around in the rain, Sporting KC broke through in the 18th minute. Dom Dwyer received a ball in the box, where he used his head to pass it to CJ Sapong, who in turn fired a header past Toronto keeper Joe Bendik for the game's first goal. It was Sapong's second goal in as many matches and Sporting lead 1-0.

Toronto would equalize in the 38th minute after a crucial mistake from Aurelien Collin and Jimmy Nielsen. A misplayed pass between the two lead to Alvaro Rey intercepting the ball for the Reds. He passed it to Darel Russel at the top of the box, who fired it into the corner for the equalizer. It was his second goal of the season, and the game was tied 1-1.

The Reds had big chance to go ahead in the 45th minute. A corner kick was sent into the box and was headed towards goal by Bright Dike, but was saved by a luckily positioned Jacob Peterson. It would be the last chance of the half as the two teams went in to the locker room level at 1-1.

Sporting would retake the lead in the 53rd minute after a spectacular effort from CJ Sapong. Chance Myers sent in a ball from the far side, where it was met by a diving CJ Sapong. Sapong was able to head the ball across the goal and get it in far post to put the away side ahead 2-1. It was Sapong's second goal of the game, which doubled his goal output for the season.

Toronto would threaten the last ten minutes, but Sporting would get a boost after Toronto went down to ten men. In the 86th minute, Steven Caldwell went in for a dangerous tackle on Josh Gardner and earned a straight red. Sporting would play a man up for the rest of the match. It wouldn't be the last ejection for Toronto, however, as Ryan Nelsen would be sent off in stoppage time.

Despite a frantic four minutes of stoppage, Sporting was able to hold Toronto off and secure the victory, 2-1 in Toronto.

Sporting moved to 14-9-6 on the year and kept pace with the Red Bulls and the Impact at the top of the Eastern Conference. New York and Sporting KC currently hold the lead at 48 points with an equal number of games played. Montreal is three points down but has a game in hand. As for the Supporters Shield race, Sporting is now one point down on Seattle, but the Sounders have two games in hand.

Next up for Sporting KC is a home match with the Union on Friday. The Union are fighting for a playoff spot, so they'll be coming into Kansas City with a need for points.