COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Ike Opara scored the game's only goal in the 17th minute Saturday and Sporting Kansas City dealt a blow to Columbus' playoff hopes with a 1-0 victory.
An unguarded Opara executed a close-in header off a pass from Graham Zusi on the winning play, which Columbus goalkeeper Matt Lampson had no chance to stop.
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Second-place SKC (15-10-6) remained four points behind Eastern Conference leader New York with a chance to clinch a post-season berth.
The Crew (12-15-5), meanwhile, saw their late-season playoff push come to a likely end with the loss, which followed four wins in five games under interim head Coach Brian Bliss.
