A new coach and an archrival paying a visit were the catalysts Sporting Kansas City needed to shake off their early-season malaise, as Dejan Joveljic bagged a pair of second-half goals to lead Sporting to a two-nil victory over St Louis City SC on Saturday, April 5 at Children’s Mercy Park.

Saint Louis attempted to claim an early goal, making three shot attempts in the 17th minute, two of which missed and a third being saved by Jon Pulskamp. City had six shots in the first half compared to just one for Sporting. That momentum would change in the second half, when after another pair of saves by Pulskamp, Sporting would seize control with Joveljic’s right-footed shot in the 71st minute sliding past City keeper Ben Lundt. Joveljic’s second goal would come 18 minutes later, when he was well positioned to take another shot after Manu Garcia’s attempt hit the crossbar. The game finished with both teams recording 11 shot attempts.

Sporting claimed their first win of the season, and their first for new head coach Kerry Zavagnin. They move up to 14th in the Western Conference on four points. Meanwhile, St Louis City have lost their last three, unable to find their footing since Roman Burki’s injury, and now sit tenth on eight points.

Both squads are back in action April 13, with Sporting KC hosting Portland while St Louis City host Columbus.