HARRISON, N.J. – After destroying Eastern Conference rival D.C. United at their home, the New York Red Bulls returned to Red Bull Arena and an attendance of 20,636 to host Sporting Kansas City. The result of the match, a 1-0 victory for New York, was not as dominating as those against D.C. or the San Jose Earthquakes a fortnight ago, but the outcome allowed New York to regain first-place in the East after the Philadelphia Union won earlier in the day.
Luke Rodgers, the English striker formerly of Notts County, scored the match’s winner in the 22nd minute, a nice follow-up to the two-goal performance against the ‘Quakes that saw him win MLS Player of the Week. The finish absolved Designated Player Rafael Márquez whose 13th minute penalty was saved relatively easily by Kansas City’s spry goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen.
The remainder of the match was comprised of a few dangerous opportunities by New York before Kansas City, following some substitutions, even out the play in the second...
