The game in 100 words (or less): Sporting Kansas City have officially qualified for the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, having knocked off the defending champions LA Galaxy, 2-1 at Sporting Park on “Decision Day.” Peter Vermes’ side entered Sunday’s finale with a playoff berth anything but guaranteed, and for the first hour on Sunday teetered back and forth on either side of the playoff cut line. Kevin Ellis gave Sporting a first-half lead, but reigning MLS MVP Robbie Keane equalized just before the halftime whistle. Dom Dwyer scored the eventual winner to put Sporting four points clear of the San Jose Earthquakes for the sixth and final spot in the Western Conference. Sporting finish sixth and will be away to the Portland Timbers in the knockout round, while the Galaxy finish one spot better, setting up a knockout round clash with the Seattle Sounders.
[ MORE: Playoff scenarios — Western Conference | East ]
Three moments that mattered
38' — Ellis bundles home the rebound, makes it 1-0 SKC — He was pretty clearly offside, but the assistant referee failed to flag for the infraction, thus Kevin Ellis was in perfect position to knock home the loose rebound from Chance Myers’ shot moments earlier.
Right place, right time. #SKCvLA #DecisionDay https://t.co/gNV5I23RbU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 26, 2015
45+1' — GdS, Keane combine for LA’s equalizer — Giovani dos Santos and Robbie Keane found themselves in acres of space, a single defender to beat following a bad giveaway in midfield, which resulted in Keane lifting the ball over an out-rushing Tim Melia.
Unreal finish from Robbie Keane. #decisionday https://t.co/x1iGQ8kh77
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 26, 2015
65' — Feilhaber feeds Dwyer for 2-1 lead — Benny Feilhaber started Sunday’s game on the bench (coach’s decision), but was thrown into the fire after halftime. 20 minutes into his shift, he played the incisive through ball to put Dom Dwyer in on goal. Dwyer finished past Donovan Rickets for the 2-1 lead.
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Man of the match: Benny Feilhaber
Goalscorers: Ellis (36'), Keane (45+1'), Dwyer (65')