The Montreal Impact came to Kansas City, Kansas to play, but it was the home side that made the most of their chances. Sporting got two first half goals to earn the win, but should have had several more before the game was out. Although Montreal held the lead in possession and pushed SKC back in the second half, they were only able to get a single goal.

Sporting opened the scoring in the 4th minute following a turnover by Montreal in the box. Jacob Peterson and Benny Feilhaber nearly connected for the goal, but it was Feilhaber who tallied. Krisztian Nemeth collected the dismal clearance before finding Feilhaber who didn't miss his second opportunity. Sporting nearly struck again just two minutes later after Roger Espinoza stole the ball on the touchline and found Nemeth streaking towards the box. Dom Dwyer was able to double the lead in the 34th minute as he split the defense to get one on one with goalkeeper Evan Bush and slotted the ball past the rushing keeper. Nemeth nearly got his first just moment later on a cross by Roger Espinoza, but a poor strike sent the ball wide.

Montreal was able to finish the first half with 61% of the possession, although most of it came in the defensive end. The Impact had two quality opportunities in the opening 45 minutes to get on the board. Dominic Oduro nearly equalized in the 32nd minute on a runner in the box. Matt Besler was unable to close it down as Oduro attempted to chip the keeper. Tim Melia got just his fingertips on it for the save.

Ambroise Oyongo sent in a dangerous cross that surely would have been headed home in the 38th minute if not for Kevin Ellis' timely header clear. The first half wasn't without controversy either. Tim Melia miss-hit a goal kick that went straight to Oduro who wound up on the ground between two defenders. Ricardo Salazar didn't see enough for the foul Oduro was pleading for.

The second half did not start like the first half ended. Montreal came out sharp and applied pressure to the Sporting backline early. Laurent Ciman and Ignacio Piatti both had excellent looks within the first five minutes. Another timely header clear by the backline prevent Oduro from pulling one back in the 55th minute. Finally in the 59th minute, Ignacio Piatti was able to get on the board. A poor step by Ellis allowed the Argentine and defender clear on goal for an easy shot past Melia. Montreal probably should have equalized in the 63rd minute after three players touched the ball in the box, but none took a shot.

The win for Sporting Kansas City moves them up to second place in the Western Conference behind the LA Galaxy by just a single point, but with four games in hand. 

Montreal's loss leaves them in 8th in the Eastern Conference.

Game Notes

Chance Myers sat out Sunday's match in Vancouver likely to prevent a relapse in his return to full fitness. Saad Abdul-Salaam has been an able replacement as Dia plays on the left. Myers did see late action as a winger after replacing Jacob Peterson.

Homegrown Player Anthony Jackson-Hamel got his fifth appearance as a sub this season at forward. Jack McInerney was absent for the match which allowed the youngster more playing time.

The win for Sporting was their 8th consecutive home win across all competitions, setting the record in Sporting Park and tying the club record overall.

The Montreal Impact have yet to win a road game in 2015.

Up Next

Sporting has two more matches this coming week. First they take on the Houston Dynamo at home on Tuesday night in US Open Cup play before traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah where they will face bitter rivals Real Salt Lake on Friday night. 

The Impact are headed back to Montreal to face the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night.