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Dos-Vale: Sporting Kansas City 3-1 Saprissa

Dovale's second-half brace gives Sporting KC a 3-1 win, and control of Group 2.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Sporting Kansas City grabbed a big win in Champions League as they defeated Saprissa 3-1.

Dom Dwyer supplied his 20th goal of the year on a penalty, which Toni Dovale put in two second half goals for the victory.

Dwyer's goal would come relatively early in the match after Sporting Kansas City had been creating some good opportunities. He flicked a ball through to Benny Feilhaber, who was not able to get a shot off before being tackled by the keeper. After a questionable yellow to the keeper, Sporting was awarded a penalty. Dwyer slotted it home, right past the keeper's hand, for his 20th overall goal this year.

Saprissa would rebound in the 28th minute, however. A half-volley from Bustos following a nice assist to the top of the box was rocketed into the far corner for the score. The equalizer would carry the two teams to half time, making it 1-1 at the break.

The second half would be much better for the home side, thanks to Toni Dovale. Dovale, who had scored Sporting KC's lone goal against Real Esteli earlier in the group stage, got his chance in the 69th minute when he received a ball at the top of the box. In a similar move to Bustos' goal earlier, Dovale fired a shot to the far corner to put Sporting KC up 2-1.

Seven minutes later, Dovale was on the scoresheet again. Dwyer sent a ball across the face of goal that was met at the opposite end by Dovale. Dovale finished top shelf over the keeper for his second of the night, giving Sporting KC the 3-1 lead.

That score would carry through to the final whistle, giving Sporting Kansas City the 3-1 victory. This win gave Sporting control of Group 2 in the CONCACAF Champions League. They are currently tied on points with Saprissa, both with four. Sporting KC, however has a game in hand and will have a chance to fully overtake the group Tuesday when they host Real Esteli.

Sporting Kansas City and Saprissa will meet once more in the final matchday of Group 2. They will converge in Costa Rica on October 23rd, where a win against Real Esteli would mean that Sporting KC would only need a result in this final match to win the group and advance to the quarterfinals.