Sporting KC survives San Jose’s first round scare, wins in PKs

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Sporting Kansas City came through, scoring each of the team's first three penalty kicks to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes and advance into the Western Conference semifinals.

Tim Melia continued his dominance in PKs, snuffing out each of the Earthquakes' first three attempts to stave off elimination.

Sporting faithful didn’t have to wait long for the team's first postseason goal. Roger Espinoza headed SKC’s first corner of the game into the back of the net in the fourth minute.

But the Earthquakes wouldn’t wait long to respond. Carlos Fierro took advantage of some 22nd minute confusion in the SKC box to poke one past the line and level the score at 1-1.

San Jose’s counter attack proved dangerous throughout the first half. Earthquakes midfielder Shae Salinas’ screamer in the 35’ gave his squad its first lead.

Sporting emerged re-energized from the half, pressuring early and often in the Earthquakes final third. Ilie’s header of SKC’s first corner of the second half proved the equalizer.