Short-handed LAFC have enough to keep Sporting KC skidding

David Martinez took advantage of a rare start to score his second goal of the season and short-handed LAFC eased to a 2-0 away victory over struggling Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night.

Aaron Long also scored for LAFC (3-2-0, 9 points), which was playing without 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga due to international duty, and France all-time leading international goal scorer Olivier Giroud due to injury.

Those goals were enough for the Black-and-Gold to snap a two-match league losing streak and run their unbeaten run against SKC to nine matches.

Hugo Lloris made two saves to keep his third clean sheet of the season.

Kansas City (0-4-1, 1 point) conceded multiple goals for a fourth consecutive game, in part of a longer stretch of 12 matches in all competitions without a victory, dating back to last September.

Martinez put LAFC in front in the 18th minute on an attack that began with some excellent defensive work from Mark Delgado. After tracking back from the opposing box and intercepting a pass, Delgado surged forward and then spotted Martinez to his left.

Goalkeeper John Pulskamp may have expected Martinez to cross from his position near the corner of the penalty area. Instead, he hammered an overpowering effort that beat the sprawling Pulskamp to his left.

The Black-and-Gold doubled the advantage nine minutes after halftime from a set piece.

Ryan Hollingshead connected with the initial header of an outswinging service to force Pulskamp into a lunging save. But the rebound came back in front of goal, where Long met it with an outstretched knee to guide it over the line.

Kansas City rallied from three down to earn a 3-3 draw against Minnesota last weekend, and for a moment it looked like the comeback was on again when referee Ismir Pekmic pointed to the spot after Martinez's challenge with about 20 minutes to go.

But Pekmic reversed the decision following a video review, saying Martinez had won the ball cleanly.

--Field Level Media