Dynamo unbeaten run ended by 10 man Sporting Kansas City
(image via Rodrigo Segura)
With a chance at a trophy looming in Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final, the Houston Dynamo went to Kansas City to try and keep their unbeaten run going. Head coach Ben Olsen made some changes, with one eye on the midweek final upcoming. After going behind early but then going up a man, the Dynamo looked to be in position to extend their run, with at least a draw. It wasn’t to be as Houston were beaten 2-1 by Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park.
The home side jumped out to an early lead after and Erik Thommy just was saved by Steve Clark. VAR called for referee Chris Penso to take a look as the ball took a deflection off the arm of Sebastian Kowalczyk. Penso pointed to the spot and Johnny Russell sent Clark the wrong way on the penalty to give SKC a 1-0 lead just seven minutes in.
After Russell’s opener, Sporting looked for a second. Willy Agada skied a shot from point-blank range in the 16th minute after a good build up play from the hosts. Thommy then had a looping effort from outside the box ping the inside of the upper 90 in the 19th minute. It was then Houston’s turn to test the woodwork in Kansas.
Luis Caicedo was given space in the 21st minute and his rocket smashed off the right post. Nelson Quinones then found himself on the attack on the right in the 25th minute. The Colombian sent in a cross that turned into a shot and caromed back off the cross bar. Franco Escobar then had a shot pushed away by Melia in the 30th minute.
Sporting Kansas City would go down to 10 men in the 37th minute after another VAR review. Russell went in studs up on Quinones, making contact with his shin. Penso originally didn’t call a foul but was called to the monitor to have another look. He showed Russell a straight red and the home side were down to 10.
Going down a man didn’t seem to bother SKC too much and they doubled their lead in the 6th minute of 12 minutes of first half stoppage time. A ball was whipped in from the right and a block by Ethan Bartlow fell kindly for Agada who tucked his shot past Clark to make the game 2-0.
The Dynamo would get a goal back just as the half came to an end. A Herrera free kick was popped into the air and Ethan Bartlow challenged for it. A richocet off his leg fell to Teenage Hadebe who stabbed a shot over Melia to make the score 2-1 in the 9th minute of stoppage time.
Playing up a man for the second half, the Dynamo dominated possession. Sporting didn’t get out of their half much but they were able to play solid defense. A Herrera free kick was scooped up by Melia in the 54th minute. Substitute Corey Baird then had a shot denied by Melia in the 64th. The Dynamo couldn’t find an equalizer but they did find some costly yellow cards. Griffin Dorsey and Luis Caicedo both picked up bookings that will see them suspended for next weekend’s Texas Derby against FC Dallas.
Houston had one last chance in stoppage time as they broke forward. The ball was played in to Baird as he made a run right down the middle. Baird’s one touch effort was right at the on-rushing Melia who was able to deny the close range effort and secure the three points for Sporting Kansas City.
The Dynamo will now travel to South Florida for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final against Inter Miami on Wednesday. Tonight’s loss will sting but a chance at lifting silverware will have the team focused again very quickly. After that, they’ll return to Shell Energy Stadium for a Texas Derby with FC Dallas next Saturday.
