SOCCER: Sporting Kansas City beats Minnesota United 2-1

Dejan Joveljic and Manu Garcia scored for Sporting Kansas City, while goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland made six saves to help the club improve to 4-10-2 (14 points). The victory also ended Sporting KC's five-match winless streak against Minnesota United.

Minnesota United dropped to 6-6-4 (22 points) and extended its winless run to five matches. Devin Padelford scored the Loons' lone goal, while goalkeeper Drake Callender recorded five saves.

The visitors created several early opportunities but failed to capitalize. Kelvin Yeboah came close twice in the opening 15 minutes, first with a header that Cleveland stopped and later with a shot that struck the post. Cleveland also denied Morris Duggan with a diving save from long range.

Sporting Kansas City broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Joveljic finished Capita's pass from close range for his eighth goal of the season.

Garcia doubled the lead in the 54th minute, curling a right-footed shot into the net from the edge of the penalty area after a setup from Jake Davis.

Minnesota cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 75th minute as an unmarked Padelford headed home Joaquin Pereyra's corner kick for his first goal of the campaign.

The Loons nearly equalized in the 90th minute, but Anthony Markanich's spinning left-footed effort from outside the box drifted just wide of the post.

Despite controlling 66 percent of possession and completing 500 accurate passes compared to Sporting Kansas City's 235, Minnesota United was unable to find a late equalizer. The club has scored just 19 goals through 16 matches this season. -Field Level Media/Reuters