Sporting KC hangs on for 3-2 victory over Earthquakes
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Graham Zusi scored for the first time since the 2016 season to help Sporting Kansas City beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 on Saturday night.
Zusi, a 31-year-old defender, hadn't scored since a goal against San Jose on Oct. 23, 2016 in the regular-season finale.
Zusi took a pass from Roger Espinosa, evaded a defender on the right side and, from near the top of the box, ripped a rising left-footer past goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell to give Sporting a 2-1 lead in the 56th minute.
Johnny Russell drew a foul, conceded by Tarbell, in the area and Ilie Sanchez converted from the spot to give Kansas City (2-1-1) a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute.
Peter Vermes after #SportingKC's victory over San Jose: "I think we're on the precipice of doing something really good." #SKCvSJ pic.twitter.com/EB0KpdxFtx
— FOX Sports Kansas City (@FSKansasCity) March 18, 2018
Valeri Qazaishvili tied it in the 34th. His header, off the cross from Nick Lima, was blocked by Zusi but Qazaishvili ripped the rebound into the net.
Felipe Gutierrez fired a left-footer from just outside the box into the net to make it 3-1 in the 68th before Chris Wondolowski capped the scoring in the first minute of stoppage time. Wondolowski moved past Jeff Cunningham into second on MLS's career-scoring list with 135 goals.
San Jose (1-1-0) is winless in its last four against Sporting.
