Sporting KC routs Minnesota to move top of Western Conference

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:04 am

Johnny Russell had one goal and two assists and Sporting Kansas City moved into first place in the Western Conference with a dominating 4-0 victory over visiting Minnesota United FC on Wednesday night.

Daniel Salloi, Khiry Shelton and Cameron Duke also scored goals for Sporting Kansas City (13-5-7, 46 points), who moved one point ahead of the Seattle Sounders in the West. Salloi extended his career high to 13 goals with the tally.

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Tim Melia wasn't even called on to make a save while notching his seventh shutout of the season as Sporting KC won its second straight match.

Tyler Miller made four saves for Minnesota United (8-8-7, 31 points), which falls to 1-3-2 over their last six matches.

Minnesota United didn't place a single shot on target while being outshot 12-10. Sporting KC put eight shots on target.

The Loons had a chance for a fast start, but Ethan Finlay's right-footed blast in the fourth minute caromed off the crossbar.

The rest of the first half belonged to Sporting KC as they scored goals in the 14th, 36th and 45th minutes.

Sporting's first goal came after Salloi's right-footed blast was saved by Miller. Shelton was positioned well for the rebound and headed the ball into the net for his second goal of the season.

In the 36th minute, Russell delivered a stellar pass over to Salloi, who unleashed a right-footed shot past Miller into the right corner of the net to make it 2-0.

Later in the half, Sporting KC was awarded a penalty kick and Russell took a slow approach and kicked the ball into the right portion of the net while Miller dove in the other direction. It was Russell's sixth goal of the season.

Sporting KC continued to dominate in the second half and made it 4-0 in the 52nd minute when Russell sent a cross toward the middle of the box and Duke slapped into the net with his right foot for his second goal of the season.

Adrien Hunou had a chance to get Minnesota on the board in the 82nd minute but sent his header wide to the left.