Sporting slows streaking Crew with Opara's header

Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Sporting Kansas City took another step toward solidifying a place in the postseason as Ike Opara's 17th-minute goal was enough for a 1-0 win at the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Sporting has now won four of its last five games to move to within two points of Eastern Conference leaders Red Bull New York, with Sporting having played one fewer match.

The result also sees an end to the Crew's three-match winning streak and leaves the club four points adrift of a spot in the postseason.

Seth Sinovic tested Crew goalkeeper Matt Lampson with a stinging shot in the 12th minute that the goalkeeper tipped over the crossbar.

But Lampson could do nothing to keep out a header from Opara five minutes later as he was picked out by a left-wing cross from Graham Zusi.

Kansas City was content to stay organized and defend after the break, and the Crew had two chances in the last 10 minutes to snatch a point.

The first came on a header from Bernardo Anor which was cleared off the goal line by Sinovic, while Federico Higuain's free kick a few minutes later sailed just past the post.