CCL Roundup: Portland, Sporting Kansas City ease to home victories
Sporting Kansas City 3 – Real Esteli 0
Claudio Bieler sent Sporting three points clear at the top of Group 2 with his double in this gritty home win. Bieler opened the scoring by smashing home Seth Sinovic’s inviting cross from the left. The out-of-favor striker spurned a glorious chance to increase the advantage before the interval, but he made amends when he drew and tucked away a penalty in the 70th minute. Sal Zizzo completed the victory with a glancing header in the final quarter of an hour to secure the points. The triumph ensures Sporting will qualify for the quarterfinals with a draw or a win at Saprissa on Oct. 23.
Portland 6 – Alpha United 0
Portland moved to the cusp of a place in the quarterfinals with a straightforward victory at Providence Park. Jack Jewsbury and Gaston Fernandez struck before the interval to give the Timbers a comfortable halftime advantage against the eliminated Guyanese side. Michael Nanchoff angled home four minutes after play resumed to dispel any lingering doubt. Norberto Paparatto headed home twice either side of a robust Fanendo Adi strike to hand the Timbers a convincing win. The result means the Timbers can advance to the quarterfinals with a draw or a win at Olimpia on Oct. 21.
