Houston, Texas. – The Sporting KC, Dynamo rivalry was renewed for the first time of 2019, and both sides came away with an even point. It was a hotly contested match in Saturday night’s Western Conference matchup. Tempers flared, tackles flew in, and it was your typical Sporting/Dynamo matchup.
Sporting KC, Dynamo Draw 1-1
Neither team had much success in the first half. Sporting won the possession battle but didn’t put a shot on target, and Houston’s meager attempt in the first half hardly troubled Tim Melia. However, the second half was a much different story.
Yohan Croizet opened the scoring in the 63rd minute. Ilie Sanchez pinged a ball up over the top of Lundqvist, and Croizet won the header, knocked it on, and chipped it over an onrushing Joe Willis.
But Houston needly on six minutes to reply. Romell Quioto sent a long cross to the second post, which A.J. DeLaGarza headed down to Alberth Elis. Elis made an incredible scissor kicked shot that ripped into the upper corner of Melia’s net.
Neither team ended up with a clear cut chance over the final half hour plus stoppage time, giving both teams a point in the 1-1 draw.
Three Things
- Sporting KC needed a point. It’s a big road point down in Houston too. Sporting was short-handed, playing their third game in six days against a team at the top of the Western Conference, and was still able to grind it out for a tough point on the road. It’s a well-earned point and one that Sporting KC will take with them as they try to climb out of their predicament that they have found themselves in.
- It’s hard to judge a lot of performances tonight, but MOTM for Sporting KC had to be Seth Sinovic. He shut down Alberth Elis for the most part, and you can’t fault him for the goal Elis scored. He took bruises in the battle and still limited a lot of what Elis was trying to do.
- Houston is starting to show cracks. Sporting KC hasn’t been a good defensive team in 2019, and they still found a way to dig in, grind it out, and hold their attack to maybe one or two meaningful chances the whole game. That isn’t good for Houston. Their defense is ok, but to not be able to punish a beleaguered Sporting KC team, while at home, isn’t a good sign for Houston.
What’s Next?
Sporting KC will travel to Toronto next Friday as part of their “June Swoon” on the road. Houston’s next match is June 11th against Austin Bold FC.
