Sounders clinch postseason berth

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The magic of Sanna Nyassi continues.

With Sounders FC being thoroughly outplayed on the road Saturday night, the young midfielder struck a go-ahead goal in the 66th minute, his fourth goal in eight days, to help lead Seattle to a 2-1 win against Kansas City.

Designated player Alvaro Fernadez added a goal in the 78th minute to secure the win and a playoff berth for Sounders FC (13-9-6), which improved its run against Major League Soccer opponents to 9-1-3.

The Wizards (9-12-6) got a late penalty-kick goal by Davy Arnaud, but fell to 4-8-3 against Western Conference opponents in front of 11,522 fans. Wizards forward Kei Kamara nearly leveled the match in the 90th minute, but his shot was denied by the post.

Kansas City wasn’t officially eliminated from the postseason hunt but would need a lot of help to earn the last berth.

Seattle, which has never lost a league game in October, improved to 6-5-3 on road, 10-5-1 against the East.

Kansas City controlled the action for most of the match and nearly took the lead several times in a scoreless first half. The first good chance came in the 11th minute when defender Matt Besler headed a shot on goal off a free kick, but goalkeeper Kasey Keller was there for the diving save.

In the 35th minute, forward Teal Bunbury nearly gave the hosts a lead when he lofted a header on goal over Keller, but it hit the cross bar.

Seattle mustered little attack early, but nearly caught the Wizards with a counterattack when forward Fredy Montero lashed a shot inches wide of the far post in the 37th minute.