New York Red Bulls Maintain Final Playoff Spot Despite 2-0 Loss to Sporting KC

In a season of underachievement, the New York Red Bulls were clearly out-played by Sporting Kansas City in a 2-0 loss on Saturday afternoon at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.

Watching them play live has been painful at times, but watching them on television was even more excruciating. Sporting almost took an immediate lead when Omar Bravo crossed the ball to an unmarked Aurelian Collin, who misfired his header past the left post.

Even though the Red Bulls had numerous scoring opportunities, the team looked flat and out of sync. 

After colliding with Sporting's Roger Espinoza, Thierry Henry was immediately issued a red card in the 28th minute. Playing a man down for the remainder of the first half, the Red Bulls were able to hold Sporting to a scoreless draw. 

Despite the ejection of Henry, the Red Bulls failed to take advantage of their scoring opportunities.

In the second half, Sporting KC gave their 19,921 assembled fans two good reasons to cheer. The first was in the 57th minute, when Teal Bunbury accepted a pass from Julio Cesar and kicked the ball past Red Bulls goalkeeper Frank Rost to give Sporting KC a 1-0 lead.  

Moments later, Joel Lindpere had the opportunity to produce the equalizer when he made a dash into the penalty box and fired an attempt that Nielsen punched out.

In the 74th minute, Sporting doubled their lead when C.J. Sapong scored his fifth goal of the season, when Graham Zusi corner kick was headed down by defender Matt Besler and finished by Sapong who hammered the ball home with his right foot. With Kansas City leading 2-0, the Red Bulls were unable to produce a goal.

Despite losing to current best team in the Eastern Conference, the Red Bulls control their destiny as they hold the final MLS Wild Card spot. Playing their final regular season match at Red Bull Arena on Thursday, October 20 against Eastern Conference rival Philadelphia Union, the Red Bulls have to win or else face the possibility of missing the postseason for the second time in three years.

To add more salt to their wounds, the Red Bulls will have to defeat the Union without leading goal scorer Thierry Henry for his actions on Saturday. In a season which had the potential of them hoisting the MLS Cup over their heads, the Red Bulls have been reduced to a team that's only hopeful to qualify for the playoffs. 

Other MLS results from Friday & Saturday Night

Real Salt Lake (15-11-7) and Colorado Rapids (11-9-13) battled to a scoreless draw on Friday. 

Houston Dynamo (11-9-13) won 2-0 over the Portland Timbers (11-14-7) on Friday. 

Philadelphia Union (11-7-15) and the Toronto FC (6-13-14) played to a 1-1 draw. 

Chicago Fire (8-9-16) won 2-1 over D.C. United (9-12-11). 

Columbus Crew (13-12-8) won 3-0 over the New England Revolution (5-15-12). 

FC Dallas (15-11-7) won 2-0 over the Vancouver Whitecaps (6-17-10).

Seattle Sounders (17-7-9 ) rallied to win 2-1 over the San Jose Earthquakes (7-12-14). 

MLS Playoff Standings as of Saturday, Oct. 15. 

Western Conference Top 3: (ss)LA Galaxy, (x)Seattle Sounders, (x)Real Salt Lake

Eastern Conference Top 3: (x)Sporting KC, (x)Philadelphia Union, (x)Columbus Crew

Wild Card Race: (x)FC Dallas, (x)Colorado Rapids, (x)Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls

(ss) clinched Supporters' Shield 

(x) clinched playoff spot

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for LatinoSports.com. He also writes for 5 Points Press &USSoccerPlayers.com; your source for American Soccer news brought to you by members of the U.S. National Team. Easily accessible, you may reach Cesar at [e-mail] and at Twitter at @CoveringSoccer.