Houston Dynamo, Sporting Kansas City battle to 1-1 draw

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyrightr 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 1, 2019) After a sluggish first half, the Houston Dynamo tied the score at  late in the second half to hold on for a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. After uninspired play in the first half, the Dynamo showed more intensity in the second half, but it was not enough to get the lead and the eventual win.

Sporting Kansas City dominated Houston in the first half, both tactically and mentally, to take control of the game and shut down any attempt by the Dynamo to advance the ball and get an advantage in a game that should have been "all Houston."  Houston head coach talked about the Dynamo's slow start in the post-game press conference.

“Well I think we went out the first half a little bit flat. A little bit not well coordinated to do our pressure and sadly the players from Kansas City started to manage the game and delay and it was too much for the referee. Today was really embarrassing how the players noticed that they could waste time—dive, delay, everything and the referee didn’t care. It was embarrassing because the fans, they come to watch a good game of soccer, but the referee Kevin Stott today wasn’t up to the level. He allowed them to waste a lot of time and in this sport, you can win, you can tie, you can lose but the referee needs to do the right things and today, I don’t think he was up to the level for this game. The players noticed right there in the first minute, second minute, tenth minute, the goalkeeper noticed that he didn’t care. He just was comfortable doing whatever he wanted, and they stared to dive. They started to get on the ground and he just—for him, it was fine and that’s not good for the game. Listen, if they go and win and they are better than us they have to get the three points but the referee needs to create a good environment for the game of soccer and he didn’t do it and the people, the fans, they were getting really upset and we all. Of course, for them it was good, but we wanted to play and if they are better than us that’s fine, but it has to be a better situation because he wasn’t up to this game and it’s embarrassing what happened today. It was embarrassing for the fans how they wasted time and he didn’t care.”

A Houston mistake in the 62nd minute allowed Sporting KC to score the first goal of the game by midfielder Yohan Croizet; his first of the season. Houston scored the equalizer seven minutes later off a volley to forward Alberth Elis to even the score and save the Dynamo from defeat. He stated:

“This was a tough game. It was very humid out there today and it was to play with that type of weather. I am grateful to God that we could secure the draw and we have to keep working so we can improve on today’s performance. We have to win at home. We cannot let points go at home and now we shift our focus to the next game.”

The draw earned one point for both squads; pushing Houston to a 7-3-4 record (24 points) with Sporting KC moving to 3-5-6 (15 points). The draw extended Houston's unbeaten record at BBVA Compass Stadium to 7-0-3 and take their record against Kansas City to 11-7-13 all-time and 7-4-6 in Houston. The draw also snapped a two-game losing streak to Kansas City in league play.

Next up for Houston is a Saturday, June 22 meeting with Portland Timbers FC at Providence Park in Portland with a scheduled kickoff of 10 p.m. CDT.

Houston Dash prepare for 2019 season opener with 5-0 win over Texas Tech

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Jennifer Edwards

Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 7, 2019) On Saturday, April 30, the Houston Dash faced off against the Texas Tech women's soccer team at Houston Sports Park in their final tune up test prior to their 2019 campaign.

The Dash looked strong during and after the 5-0 win over the Red Raiders. Their five goals were scored by five different players. New head coach, James Clarkson was quoted after the scrimmage saying, 

“We want to be competitive, we want to win games, we want to scores goals.” 

That is exactly what his team did. Goals were scored by NWSL veterans Kealia Ohai (No. 7 above) and Sophie Schmidt as well as rookies Jamia Fields and Cece Kizer.

The Dash’s passing game is improved greatly over last year’s open practice and the new leadership’s visions are being recognized. The Texas Tech goalkeeper, Marissa Zucchetto, had her hands full as the Dash peppered goal attempts time and time again. She was able to deflect many of these attempts only allowing the five goals.

This year’s open practice scrimmage was very well attended. Fans enjoyed music, balloon animals and free shirts. The team stuck around after the practice to sign autographs and encourage everyone to come out to the season opener. The Dash will kick off their 2019 season against the Seattle Reign on Sunday, April 14 at BBVA Compass Stadium, with a 5 p.m. CDT start.

Club America, Santos Laguna battle to 1-1 draw in Houston

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 1, 2019) Club America and Santos Laguna battled to a 1-1 draw in a friendly match in Houston on Saturday, December 29, 2018. The match closed out 2018 for both teams in front of a sellout crowd at BBVA Compass Stadium. Both scores came in the second half and were within four minutes of each other.

The first goal came in the 54th minute when forward Fernando Gonzalez drilled the ball into the net for the score for Las Águilas. Santos evened the score in the 58th minute on a direct free kick by defender Matheus Doria.

In their last five match ups, dating back to November 19, 2017,  America has won two, Santos one, with two games ending in a draw.

The two matches ending in a draw were on May 13, 2018 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with a 2-2 score, and on November 11, 2018 at Estadio Corona in Torreón, ending in a 1-1 score. The two wins for America were on November 19, 2017 in Torreón and on April 28, 2018 in Mexico City. Both wins were by the score of 1-0. The one win for Santos was on May 28, 2018 in Mexico City, with a 4-1 score.

Busy week of July 15-21 coming at BBVA Compass Stadium

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved 

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 15, 2018). The week of July 15-21 will be a busy time at Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium. Four events will be held on four consecutive days, beginning on July 18. On Wednesday, the Houston Dynamo will host Sporting Kansas City in the quarterfinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CDT. Kansas City is the defending U.S. Open champion, taking their fourth title last year (2017). Their previous titles were in 2002, 2012, and 2015. U.S. Open Cup  is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S.

On Thursday, July 19, the AFFL U.S. Open of Football Ultimate Final will be held. The final game will pit Godspeed against Fighting Cancer, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CDT. The 7-on-7 tournament promises high-scoring offensive fireworks with non-stop action.

Friday, July 20 will see Atletico Nacional and America de Cali play a friendly soccer match in the grand opening event off the Colombian Fest in Houston, with kickoff at 8 p.m. CDT.

The four days of events will conclude on Saturday July 21 with the Houston Dynamo hosting FC Dallas in the first of the three-game series of the Texas Derby, with an 8 p.m. CDT start.

Houston Dynamo posts 2-0 shut out over Colorado Rapids

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 A  Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 9, 2018) The Houston Dynamo posted two goals within six minutes of each other to top the Colorado Rapids by the score at 2-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The first goal came in the 30th minute when midfielder Tomas Martinez found himself "in the right place at the right time" for his fourth goal of the season. The Argentinian started in 12 games this season and has scored six goals in his MLS career. Forward Mauro Manotas (No. 10 shown above) converted a penalty kick in the 36th minute to close the scoring in the match. It was the sixth goal of the year for the Colombian; matching his total from the 2016 season. “I hit the ball with my left and it bounced back, so I finished with my right. The truth is that he (Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard) is a great goalkeeper who has a lot of experience and has been to World Cups. I’m content for scoring on him, ” said Manotas when talking to the media after the game.

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 A  Rights Reserved

Houston pushed their record to 6-5-3 on the season and gave Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera (shown right) his 19th regular season win while leading the Dynamo. He was quoted after the game;

“We knew from the beginning that it was going to be a tough match with a team that normally is going to be waiting deep with five in the back and two or three defensive midfielders and only one guy up top. It’s a team that when they win the ball, they try to counterattack and capitalize on your mistakes. Today I’m really excited and happy because the players were really focused and concentrated on the game and they were aggressive. We went after them and we took control of the game really quickly and we started to create options. When we didn’t create options, we were moving the ball and trying to find them with our 50/50 balls and that is important. Sometimes, it’s not about just going forward, it’s about being able to move the ball well, and we did that today. We have to be patient and we were patient. So overall it was a good performance and we were able to score in the first half and that is, of course, very important for us. Then, with the second goal I think we were in control. We were cruising, and they got a red card which helped us to continue keeping the possession. At half time, I told the guys that we need to be sure that we don’t make any mistakes, that we don’t get sluggish like when we’re dribbling the ball; let’s play serious, let’s try to score another goal, and (forwards) Romell (Quioto), Alberth (Elis), and Mauro (Manotas), they were trying. They were pushing. They were trying. We created a couple of options. We hit the post two or three times and then the goalkeeper, Tim Howard, is excellent in saving, but I think it was a solid performance overall.”

Next up for Houston is a Monday, June 18 Lamar Hunt Cup match against Minnesota United FC at BBVA Compass Stadium. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT

Houston rapper Bun B performs at Houston Dynamo vs. Chicago Fire soccer game on July 4th weekend

Photo by Darla TamulitisLa Vita Loca PhotographyCopyright 2015 All Rights Reservedd

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 3, 2015) Houston rapper Bun B preformed at the Bud Light Beer Garden prior to the Houston Dynamo playing the Chicago Fire at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Friday, July 3, 2015. DJ Charlee got the performance started before Bun B took the stage and got the soccer fans hopping to his fast beat rap and musical stylings.

Bun B, whose given name is Bernard Freeman in one half of the southern rap duo UGK, also known as UnderGround Kingz. He performed hits from his various albums to soccer and rap fans alike who were in attendance for the Dynamo-Fire Major League Soccer game.

The 42-year old Port Arthur, Texas native has released four albums since 2005; Trill, II Trill, Trill OG and Trill OG: The Epilogue; and has over one million followers on Twitter. He has appeared in three films since 2010; Ghetto Stories (2010), Video Girl (2011), and Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012).

Photo by Darla TamulitisLa Vita Loca PhotographyCopyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

Freeman taught as a Distinguished Lecturer at Rice University beginning in 2011, focusing on the topics of Religion and Hip-Hop. He has been married to his wife Angela Walls since 2003 and his step-son is Young-B, an American rapper who is a member of the group “Youngest N Charge.”

BBVA Compass Stadium is becoming a hot-bed for musical performances in the Houston area; previously hosting county-music performers Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen, and Chase Rice on May 22. They are scheduled to host six-time Grammy nominated singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran on Thursday, September 3, 2015.

Photos by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, 

Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved.

Houston Dynamo down Chivas USA, 5-1

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September The Houston Dynamo (12-10-7, 43 points) kept their playoff chances alive as they rallied for four goals in the second half to down Chivas USA (6-16-8, 26 points) by the score of 5-1 in front of 20,157 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The five goals scored by the Dynamo was the highest goal total in an MLS game since the inaugural game in 

Houston on April 2, 2006, when they defeated the Colorado Rapids by the score of 5-2 on four goals by Brian Ching.
At the end of the first half, the Dynamo held a 1-0 lead as a result of a Giles Barnes goal in the 39th minute; with an assist by Brad Davis.
Chivas evened the score in the 50th minute when Eric Avila found the goal for the score on an unassisted kick.
Then the Dynamo’s scoring assault began with goals by Barnes in the 54th minute and Will Bruin in the 63rd 
minute.
Barnes scored his goal off an assisted pass by Brad Davis and Bruin’s goal, which was his seventh of the season, was unassisted.
 
Boniek Garcia finally got his first goal in the orange and while colors of the Dynamo when he took a fine pass from Bruin in the 79th minute and adeptly put it in the net for the Dynamo’s fourth goal of the night.
He added an insurance goal in extra time when he received a penalty kick to round out the scoring for the Dynamo.
With the win, Houston is in sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind Montreal and three points ahead of New England.
They will next play W Connection in a CONCACAF Champions League game on Wednesday, Sept. 28 with a 7 p.m. start.

Their next MLS game will be on the road against New England on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013.