Sporting falls to Portland to end perfect start

Portland, OR – Sporting Kansas City's streak of perfection came to end on Saturday as the Portland Timbers claimed a 1-0 victory over the Major League Soccer leaders at Jeld-Wen Field.

Kansas City entered the match with 21 points through its first seven games. Portland carried a streak of its own into Saturday's tilt, entering the match with a four-game losing skid.

But the unforeseen result, caused by an own goal from Chance Myers, sees both streaks come to an end. Sporting's 7-0-0 record ranks as the second-best start to an MLS season in league history.

Sporting gifted Portland the win through a calamitous own goal just before the break.

Kris Boyd found space on the right flank in the 41st minute and whipped a cross to the back post. No Timbers player was making a late run and Myers, under no pressure, inexplicably headed the ball into his own net.

The visitors pushed throughout the second half in search of an equalizer to save their perfect start, but Portland did just enough in the end to spoil their party and keep a clean sheet, its first of the season.

Both sides return to action against the Montreal Impact. The Timbers (2-4-1) will head to the Olympic Stadium to face the expansion side on April 28, while Sporting (7-1-0) will have a week off to regroup. Kansas City will host Montreal at Livestrong Sporting Park on May 5.