Zardes, Finlay lead Austin to 2-1 victory over Sporting KC #Zardes #Finlay #lead #Austin #victory #Sporting

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Gyasi Zardes and Ethan Finlay scored unassisted goals two minutes apart in the first half to lead Austin FC to a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night.

Zardes found the net for a sixth time this season and Finlay followed with fourth goal to give goalkeeper Brad Stuver all the cushion he would need to help Austin (9-9-5) win three straight at home for the first time.

Defender Dany Rosero took a pass from Dániel Sallói in the 31st minute and scored for a second time this season for Sporting KC (6-11-8).

A group of South Florida fans waits outside DRV Pink Stadium, home of Inter Miami MLS soccer club, in hopes of catching a glimpse of Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami has announced plans to present Messi along with other new players at an event on July 16. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Lionel Messi has finalized his deal to join Major League Soccer. And after years of planning and pursuing, Inter Miami has landed a global icon.

Seattle Sounders forward Raúl Ruidíaz chases the ball during the second half of the team's MLS soccer match against the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Cristian Espinoza scored on a first-half penalty kick and assisted on a second-half goal by Miguel Trauco to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders.

Vancouver Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini reacts on the sideline during the second half of the team's MLS soccer match against Austin FC on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Pedro Vite scored in the first minute and Sergio Córdova accounted for the only goal of the second half to lead the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 2-1 victory over Austin FC.

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Gavin Beavers, bottom, blocks a goal attempt by Sporting Kansas City forward Alán Pulido (9) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Danny Musovski and Anderson Julio scored second-half goals as Real Salt Lake came from two scores down to earn a 2-2 draw with Sporting Kansas City, upping its unbeaten streak on the road to 11 in all competitions.

Stuver saved three shots for Austin. Kendall McIntosh finished with four saves for Sporting KC.

Sporting KC loses after playing to draws in its last three matches. It was the club’s longest unbeaten streak since a six-match run in 2021.

Sporting KC beat Austin 4-1 at home earlier this season to snap a three-match losing streak in the series.

Austin is 3-0-0 at home in the series, scoring nine goals.

When league play resumes on Aug. 20, Austin will travel to play St. Louis City. Sporting KC’s next league match is Aug. 26 when the club hosts the San Jose Earthquakes.