~ Photo credit: USA Today Sports Images

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ Benny Feilhaber scored the game winner and had an assist as Kansas City reached the playoffs for the sixth straight year with a 2-0 win over San Jose Sunday.

Feilhaber scored for the first time in over two months.  His goal came off a penalty kick as Cordell Cato was called for a handball.

It was the third time in five games where a penalty kick has occurred in one of the Quakes’ games and second game in three where a penalty has been converted against them.

Sporting was one of six teams hoping to clinch the four playoff spots remaining.

Both teams were coming off scoreless draws as they played for the second time in a month. In terms of shot activity, the number by each team were about half of the shots in San Jose’s last game.

The Quakes’ Chris Wondolowski had a game-high four shots and at least four shots for the third straight game while was Tim Melia was forced to make four saves.

On generating chances, but not being able to capitalize, Wondolowski replied, “Yeah, I think it’s just a microcosm of our season. It’s very frustrating, but credit to Kansas City, they did a good job and they are very hard to break down defensively.”

The first of Wondolowski’s chances came in the 10th minute. Tommy Thompson was in good position but Matt Besler was able to block the attempt.

In the 24th minute, Simon Dawkins’ shot rebounded off Melia. Wondolowksi was able to get the ball but Melia won by recovering in time.

Graham Zusi put the game result pretty much out of doubt when he scored in the 88th minute, as his team came to congratulate him.

Wondolowski had a high header earlier and his last attempt came in the 90th minute.

Game notes: Sporting won the season series 2-1. The first game was won by San Jose by way of penalty kick. Kansas City midfielder Brad Davis announced his retirement before the game. Sporting ended the regular season in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 13-13-8 record and the Quakes finished in ninth place with an 8-12-14 record.