Sporting Kansas City secured their first league win of the 2019 MLS season on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Philadelphia Union 2-0 at Children’s Mercy Park.
Ilie Sanchez buried an early penalty kick, goalkeeper Tim Melia saved a penalty of his own, and a late own goal sealed the result as Sporting (1-1-0, 3 points) rolled to victory over the 10-man Union (0-2-0, 0 points), who were reduced to 10 men when Marco Fabian received a straight red card in the 60th minute.
Melia’s penalty save to deny Fabian was one of his four stops on the day, which helped Sporting to their first shutout of Philadelphia in 14 MLS meetings between the sides.