WASHINGTON (AP) -- Substitute C.J. Sapong scored on a header in

stoppage time in Sporting Kansas City's 1-0 victory over D.C.

United in the season opener for both teams Saturday night.

Bill Hamid made seven saves to keep United in it, but had little

chance to stop Sapong's header off Graham Zusi's corner kick

that gave Sporting its third straight 1-0 victory over D.C.

Kansas City dominated most of the game, outshooting D.C. 17-7

overall and 8-1 in shots on target as it began the defense of

its Eastern Conference regular-season title.

Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen needed to make just one save,

a routine stop on Maicon Santos' long-range late effort.

But for all the possession, Sporting looked to be headed for a

scoreless tie until Sapong entered for starter Teal Bunbury and

drew the foul that would eventually lead to the goal.

Sapong bodied up United defender Brandon McDonald and cajoled

him into bear-hugging the forward for a foul.

Zusi blasted the resulting free kick into United's defensive

wall, with the ball deflecting out for a corner kick. Zusi then

found Sapong at the 6-yard box from the corner for a mostly

unchallenged header.

Kansas City has won four of its last five against D.C., its best

run against United since it won five straight in 1996-97. It has

also won two straight at RFK stadium after losing its previous

three.

United is 1-2-1 in its last four home openers.