MLS: Sporting Kansas City pull clear, Toronto win again

Sporting Kansas City continued their strong start to the MLS season, while Toronto claimed another win on Friday.

Sporting claimed a 2-1 win over Minnesota United at Allianz Field to pull clear atop the Western Conference.

Michael Boxall’s 55th-minute own goal proved decisive as Sporting claimed a fifth win in six MLS games, going four points clear of second-placed Minnesota.

Gadi Kinda got on the end of a Jaylin Lindsey cross to give Peter Vermes’ Sporting a 12th-minute lead.

Clean service.  Solid finish. @SportingKC take the early lead! #MINvSKC pic.twitter.com/Mc2kSRSNM3

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 21, 2020

Minnesota were level just after the half-hour mark, an unfortunate deflection off Lindsey leading to an own goal.

But Boxall turned a cross into his own net 10 minutes into the second half for what proved to be the winner.

Toronto recorded a second win in four days over the Vancouver Whitecaps with a 1-0 victory.

Richie Laryea’s low finish in the 15th minute was all Toronto needed, getting back to within a point of Eastern Conference leaders Columbus Crew.

The Canadian opens the scoring. 

Pablo Piatti  Alejandro Pozuelo  Richie Laryea gives @TorontoFC the lead. #TORvVAN pic.twitter.com/aZlPiADCV3

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 22, 2020

In the day’s other games, Cincinnati and DC United drew 0-0, while the Houston Dynamo’s clash with Dallas also finished goalless.