Johnny Russell scores in 80th minute, Sporting KC beats Minnesota United 1-0

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Johnny Russell scored in the 80th minute, and Sporting Kansas City beat Minnesota United 1-0 on Sunday night to take the Western Conference lead.

Sporting Kansas City (6-3-2) fired off 21 shots against Minnesota (5-4-2), but didn’t find the back of the net until Graham Zusi lofted the ball from distance to Russell, who outran the defense and shot to the far post for his third goal of the season. Kansas City snapped a four-game winless streak.

Dayne St. Clair had four of his five saves in the first half for Minnesota. The Loons entered having scored seven goals in consecutive home wins.

Minnesota listed seven players not medically cleared for the match. Sporting KC had six on the list, including Erik Hurtado and Alan Pulido.

An unidentified player for Sporting Kansas City tested positive for COVID-19. The team said Saturday the player self-isolated upon the initial positive result and will remain in isolation until cleared by the club’s medical staff. No other players and coaches were confirmed positive for the coronavirus.

Russell: “I’m just glad to finally get one. There’s been so many games here recently where we’ve dominated like that, had chances and we haven’t finished it. …Thankfully came away with a goal and got the three points we needed as well.” #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/DhZCeMIiVH

— FOX Sports Kansas City (@FSKansasCity) September 14, 2020