Lampard strikes but N.Y. City downed by Kansas in MLS

Los Angeles (AFP) – Frank Lampard scored his fourth goal in five games but it was not enough to stop New York City FC from slipping to a 3-1 defeat at Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer. 

Former Chelsea and England star Lampard on Sunday stroked in a 14th-minute equaliser for City after Brazilian midfielder Benny Feilhaber had given Sporting an early lead after only eight minutes. 

But two minutes after Lampard’s goal, Sporting regained the lead when a speculative long-range effort from Colombian midfielder Jimmy Medranda resulted in a goal for the home side. 

There appeared to be no danger when Medranda gathered the ball on the edge of the penalty area following a Sporting corner. 

City’s defenders granted Medranda far too much time and space however and he was able to uncork a venomous shot towards goal. 

The ball kicked up on the playing surface just before Josh Saunders dived to save, but the City goalkeeper will still feel he should have done better as the ball flew past him and into the back of the net. 

New York rallied but fell 3-1 down early in the second half when they failed to properly clear their lines. 

After a round of aerial ping-pong, the ball fell to Ike Opara who poked a low shot past Saunders to make it 3-1. 

Despite the defeat, New York remain on top of the Eastern Conference with 30 points from 20 games, comfortably on course to finish in the playoff positions. 

In the Western Conference meanwhile, the win saw Kansas City move up into fifth place in the 10-team division. 

The top six teams qualify for the postseason. 

In the day’s other MLS game, the Portland Timbers were held to a 0-0 draw against the New York Red Bulls.