Sporting KC edge LAFC to grab Western Conference top seed

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:27 am

Short-handed Sporting Kansas City got a goal from Daniel Salloi in the second half for a 2-1 win over Los Angeles FC on Sunday to finish on top of Major League Soccer's Western Conference.

By virtue of the win, SKC (18-8-8, 62 points) will-have home field advantage in the Western Conference playoffs, will have a first round bye and in addition, are third in line to host the MLS Cup should the New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United slip up in the playoffs.

LAFC (16-9-9, 57 points) came into the game in second place, with the top spot in the West within their reach with a win. However, thanks to the defeat, LAFC finishes third in the West and will host a knockout game against sixth-place Real Salt Lake on Wednesday or Thursday.

Seattle jumped from fourth to second place with a win on Sunday and will have a bye in the first round.

Salloi scored the game-winner when he took a pass from Khiry Shelton, touched it once with his right foot, then put it away from 14 yards out in the 72nd minute.

The game got interesting in the 60th minute. It appeared defender Seth Sinovic preserved SKC's 1-0 lead, blocking a point-blank header from Adama Diomande off his chest, but following video review, it was ruled that Sinovic used his arm to make the save.

Not only was LFAC awarded a penalty kick, but Sinovic was given a red card, forcing SKC to play with 10 men the rest of the way out.

Carlos Vela put home the ensuring penalty kick to draw LAFC level at 1-1.

SKC took the 1-0 lead with a goal in the 37th minute.

Roger Espinoza took a pass from Graham Zusi straight on from the LAFC goal, controlled it, then lasered a left-footed shot into the upper third for the games' first goal.