Minnesota United defeats Sporting KC 2-0 with late goals

On Saturday night, Minnesota United secured a 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City in Kansas City, effectively eliminating the latter from playoff contention. Kelvin Yeboah opened the scoring in the 65th minute, marking his fifth goal in as many games. He skillfully received a through ball from Robin Lod and executed a precise shot from the left-center of the area, finding the back post. This goal highlighted Yeboah's impressive form, as he has now scored in three consecutive matches following a strong debut performance earlier in the season. Bongokuhle Hlongwane sealed the win for Minnesota with a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Lod assisted once again, tapping a pass to Hlongwane, who managed to evade the defense and beat goalkeeper Tim Melia in a one-on-one situation. This goal was Hlongwane's 11th of the season and his fourth in the last four games, showcasing his growing impact on the team. Despite the loss, Sporting Kansas City dominated possession with 66% and outshot Minnesota 19-7, including a 4-3 advantage in shots on target. However, Minnesota's goalkeeper Dayne St. Claire was instrumental in the victory, making four crucial saves to maintain the clean sheet. The match underscored Minnesota United's resilience and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, while Kansas City faced the harsh reality of being eliminated from playoff contention, reflecting a challenging season for the team.