Houston Dynamo FC, Sporting KC battle to 2-2 draw in MLS action

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 8, 2023) Eight minutes into added time of the second half, Houston Dynamo FC snatched "a draw from the mouth of defeat" when Ivan Franco found the back of the goal; securing a 2-2 draw against Sporting Kansas City at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday. Houston trailed Sporting KC prior to the score after forward Alan Pulido converted a penalty kick in the second half.

Pulido also scored the initial goal of the match, in the 25th minute, when he right-footed the ball from the center of the box to the center of the goal. It was his ninth goal of the season. He was assisted by midfielder Gadi Kinda; who tallied his third assist of the season.

The Dynamo evened the score two minutes into added time of the first half when forward Aliyu Ibrahim received a pass from Hector Herrera. Upon getting the ball, Ibrahim right-footed his shot from near the goal to the bottom left corner, making the score even at one at halftime. Kansas City took the lead in the 60th minute on Pulido's penalty kick.  The match concluded when Franco scored in second half added time.

Houston Dynamo FC to face Sporting Kansas City on Sunday

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 3, 2021) The Houston Dynamo FC hits the road with six games remaining in the season to face Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City with a 3 p.m. CT start.

Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos talked with the press on Friday, October 1, via zoom, and talked about the team's preparation for the match.

First, he discussed how the team is navigating this match prior to the international match.

 "Obviously, we're a little disappointed after this last game that we couldn't get three points. In particular, once we analyzed the video and we saw how many clear chances we had to win the game by two or three goals, it's disappointing. We have to keep moving forward. This team has done a good job of that, of putting things behind and working as hard as possible for the next game and that's what we'll keep doing."

He also talked about what to expect from Kansas City.

 "I think it's no secret that they are a really good team. I feel like Seattle and Kansas City are the two best teams in the Western Conference. I have to say, I'd have to include Portland in there because I think player-by-player, I think Portland is just as good and they will get their form. Kansas City is difficult in particular at their place. I feel like we're in a good moment right now and we're going for the win, that's what we prepare for."

With the MLS playoffs looming on the horizon, he stated: 

"I think we cross that bridge when the time comes. Personally, I can tell you I've been involved in soccer since I was five-years-old, so it's been 50 years of doing this. I've never quit anything, and we always do all we can to win games. At the end of the day, that's why you play the games. Right now, we're still in it, I think we need a big result this weekend. That's what we're going for and that's what the players are excited about." 

Having beat Kansas City earlier this season, he discussed if that game will play an impact on Sunday's matchup.

"We think we can, I think Kansas City is playing better now than they were at that time, but I feel like we're playing better than we were at that time. I think defensively we're much more solid right now than we were at that moment. I know we won the game I think 1-0, when we played them at home. I didn't feel like we were as solid as we are today, we didn't have Teenage (Hadebe) at that time I believe. I think we're a better team now than we were at that time and I think they are as well." 

He was also asked if they are doing anything differently to prepare for this road game:

"Not really. We have to analyze the video and we have to think about how we're doing according to what we see there. Not necessarily and I realize of course that I'm always responsible for results only, I know that's the one thing that matters. When we analyze the video, we have to look at chance creation and how we were in front of the goal and did we get in front of the goal and should we have been winning the game. I think we're at that place where I feel like this last game, we certainly should have won it and in Minnesota we made two serious mistakes to start the game that kind of took us out of the game, the rest of the game was good. Not that that's a consolation, but I do look at our last five games and I see us in a good trend playing better and doing well. I think at the moment, we of course improve a few little things here and there, but we're defending a lot better and we have to continue to do that and that gives us a chance to win."

Houston Dynamo fall 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 3, 2020) The Houston Dynamo fell behind in the first half and could not overcome the offense of Sporting Kansas City, dropping a 2-1 decision at BBVA Stadium on Saturday evening. Kansas City jumped out to and early 1-1 lead in the 34th minute and added a second goal late in the game. Houston found the back of the net in the 84th minute, but it was not enough; dropping their second game to KC in four matches this season.

Previously, Houston fell to their Western Conference opponent by the score of 4-0 on March 7; prior to the COVIOD-19 shutdown. Once Major League Soccer resumed play (Phase 1), Houston downed Kansas City 5-2 on August 25 (in Kansas City) and won by a 2-1 margin in Houston on September 9.

Houston head coach Tab Ramos stated after the match:

“I think for 60 to 65 minutes we played pretty well. Unfortunately, like its happened in the last few games, we can’t take advantage of the way we play and take that into a lead in the game. We’re falling behind. I think Kansas City scored their goal on their first shot on goal in the 30th minute. We had quite a few chances to be up in the game before that – we’re having a little trouble finishing right now. We just have to deal with that and be strong because we’re creating the opportunities, but not putting them away.”

 

Forward Alan Pulido struck paydirt in the 34th minute to give Kansas City the early 1-0 lead; with an assist credited midfielder Gianiuca Busio. They added their second goal of the match in the 73rd minute, when Pulido secured a brace; pushing their lead to 2-0. Houston responded 11 minutes later; on a solid pass from forward Darwin Quintero to defender Sam Junqua to finally get Houston on the scoreboard. Junqua stated:

“I just tried to do my best and worked as hard as I could, getting on the ball and trying to make something happen. I tried to run and give it all for my team, and I think I achieved most of that.”

Late Manotas' goal gives Houston 2-1 win over Kansas City

Photo by 
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 5, 2020) The Houston Dynamo improved their season record to 3-2-4 and extended their winning streak to three with a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City at BBVA Stadium. The win gave them back-to-back victories for the first time this season. In addition, it improved their all-time season record against Kansas City to 12-9-13.

Kansas City scored first with a nice shot from the right of the box in the 30th minute by Erik Hurtado. The 29-year-old forward's goal was his second of the 2020 season; having scored his first goal of 2020 against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on February 29.

Houston evened the score 29 minutes later, in the 50th minute, with a goal by forward Alberth Elis, his fourth in 2020. With the score, 24-year-old Honduran needs nine goals to tie Brad Davis for third most goals scored for the Dynamo across all competitions, at 45.

Mauro Manotas gave the Dynamo the lead in the 86th minute when he got a perfect setup from Zarek Valentin to push the score to 2-1. Manotas's score pushed his regular-season goals to 50; tying Bruin for the second most goals for Houston during regular-season action.

Kansas City and Houston met on August 25, with the Dynamo earned their first win of the season courtesy of goals from Ellis, Christian Ramirez and Niko Hanson.  Houston will close Phase 1 on the road as they travel to Colorado on Wednesday, September 9 and travel to Frisco ti play FC Dallas for the second leg of the Texas Derby.

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 Dynamo drops 1-0 decision to Kansas City in red-card laden match

Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera
was ejected from the match at halftime for
"irresponsible conduct."
File photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

By Jennifer Edwards
Special Corespondent for Soccer
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 4, 2018) The Houston Dynamo hosted Sporting Kansas City at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday night. The meeting was the third match of the season for the two teams and lived up to the promise of the tight scoring, hard fought game. Sporting Kansas City controlled the ball 61% of the match compared to the Dynamo’s 39%. Unfortunately, neither team had the opportunity to get into a rhythm they wanted due to fouls and cards being issued. Both teams exhibited strong defensive plays that kept the game to a low score. The match saw some milestones including Sporting Kansas City’s 16 year-old Gianluca Busio who made his MLS debut on July 28th. Unfortunately the game was also filled with yellow and red cards as well as the ejection of Dynamo head coach, Wilmer Cabrera.

A red card was shown in the fourth minute to Dynamo centerback, Alejandro Fuenmayor, who jumped to head the ball at the same time as Sporting Kansas City’s Gianluca Busio. The card was given for the hit between Busio’s shoulder blades. This card lead to a yellow being issued to Dynamo’s Alberth Elis for arguing the red card that was previously issued. Immediately after these cards, Dynamo goalkeeper, Joe Willis made a tremendous save in the goal box to keep the game scoreless leading into halftime.

After halftime concluded the players and coaches returned to the pitch minus Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera, who was ejected for “irresponsible behavior” when speaking with the fourth official in the tunnel leading into the halftime break. Cabrera was quoted after the match,

“This is the second time we came over here to play, and we get really strange circumstances. I cannot make any assessment about how we performed because we cannot perform in those circumstances. Right now what I would like is to go home and think how to prepare for the next game to see that at some point it’s going to be normal for us to come to our own home and to try to play the game because we want to play and we are not there. This is a game of contact - high-level contact. But anyway, I got dismissed too in the tunnel, [and then] when I was coming down to the tunnel at the end of the game I saw two of my players with red cards also. I don't know what happened, to be honest with you. I spoke with my players, and they told me what happened. Anyway, right now, we’re against the wall, and because we are against the wall I am not going to make any comment about anything else and to be honest with you it’s just difficult to make assessments with the guys playing with 10 men against 11 for that amount of time. So, it was a great effort, and now we have to come back to make a recovery to think that hopefully on Wednesday we can play a normal game.”

Assistant head coach Michael Dellarusso assumed coaching responsibilities for the remainder of the game. The game took on an air of frustration from both sides as they jockeyed to swing the momentum to their way. That was not going to be the case for either team. Goalkeeper Joe Willis was issued a yellow card for arguing with the on-field referee over the missed call on Elis. This frustration lead to Sporting Kansas City scoring the only goal of the night off the foot of Diego Rubio in the 74th minute. Once that goal was scored, a collective 5 cards were issued; 3 yellows and 2 reds. Yellow cards were issued to SKC’s Diego Rubio and the Dynamo’s Ronaldo Pena and Leonardo. Red cards were issued in stoppage time to the Dynamo’s Darwin Ceren for putting hands on a SKC player. Consequently, chaos reigned on both sides resulting a pushing, shoving and shouting match between the two teams and Alberth Elis received the final red card of the night. In the press conference following the game Wilmer Cabrera said, “You cannot let that happen” when he was asked about Ceren’s and Elis’ actions.Cabrera also stated his team is, “against the wall” regarding the Dynamo’s potential playoff spot. 

This creates a jam for the Dynamo, as now Elis is suspended for the next game for excessive yellow cards and still must serve the red card suspension. He will serve the red card suspension alongside Ceren and Fuenmayor. The Dynamo return to action at BBVA Compass Stadium on Wednesday, August 8 in the semi-final of the U.S. Open Cup against Los Angeles FC.

Houston Dynamo to face old rival; Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night

Houston and Kansas City last faced each
other on  July 18 during the U.S. Open Cup.
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 (August 3, 2018) The Houston Dynamo will square off against their long time rival, Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, August 4, at BBCA Compass Stadium with a scheduled 8 p.m. CDT kickoff. Houston looks to capture the 2018 season series against Kansas City, with each team winning one game in the first two meetings. The Dynamo are four points out of a MLS playoff spot with 13 games remaining to play in 2018. The rivalry between the two teams includes five playoff meetings and five matches in U.S. Open Cup action.

TexSport Publications Special Correspondent for Soccer, Jennifer Edwards (shown left), will be on hand to report on all the action live from BBVA Compass Stadium. Jennifer has followed soccer extensively at all levels from age group and high school, to the professional level, including the national teams and World Cup level. You can follow Jennifer's live game commentary on Twitter at @JenCris38.

Houston Dynamo drop 2-0 decision to Kansas City in U.S.Open Cup

Photo by Robert Kelly
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

By Jennifer Edwards
Special Correspondent for TexSport Publications
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 28, 2017) The Houston Dynamo hosted Sporting Kansas City in the Round of 16 of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at BBVA Compass Stadium on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. The game was the first of a double header for Houston soccer fans to enjoy.  The second match had the Houston Dash hosting the visiting Boston Breakers.

The first 20 minutes of the match was dominated by the Dynamo; who were unable to capitalize on their numerous chances to score. A yellow card was issued to the Houston’s Eric Bird in the 23th minute. The Dynamo’s offense continued to beat against Kansas City and the Kansas City goalkeeper, Tim Melia, who made some heroic saves to keep the score at 0-0 leading into halftime. Sporting Kansas City defense showed their might while fending off three missed goal attempts from Brazilian midfielder Alex,  A yellow card was issued in 62 minute to Memo Rodriguez for tripping. In a weird turn of events, the card was issued and play was resumed unbeknownst to Ellis who was talking to coach with his back to the play.. According to the referee, talking to your coach while a play is happening is within the rules, but that one play changed the momentum of the game. Wilmer Cabrera stated that the play, “Changed the momentum of the game.” during his post game press conference. A verbal warning was also issued to Dynamo coach, Wilmer Cabrera, by the on-pitch referee for extending too far out of the designated coaching area while arguing the play. 

Following this play, the Dynamo substituted in Ruben Luna for Alex, who the crowd cheered loudly for in their appreciation of his service to his team. As an elder member of the squad, Cabrera stated he made the substitution to allow the younger players time and exposure to the opponent. He also stated that the Dynamo knew that Sporting KC was bringing their first team minus their national team callups. The Dynamo understood that placing the younger players on the pitch gave them great exposure but the objective was clear, the Dynamo wanted to win against a team that is very strong and have been playing for a few seasons.  

After several Dynamo substitutions, the offense could not find the footing they displayed in the first half of the game. The second half was clearly dominated by Sporting Kansas City’s offense. The second and final goal was scored by Fernandez in the 90th minute of play solidified the win by the visiting team. After traditional handshakes post game, the Man of the Match was Memo Rodriguez.

After the game Cabrera stated that the Dynamo understood that Sporting Kansas City put it’s first team on the pitch against very young and promising Dynamo players. The loss marks the end of the road for the Dynamo in their quest for the Lamar Hunt Cup. 

Houston Dynamo downs Sporting Kansas City 2-0

Photo by Darla Tamuitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 8, 2016) The Houston Dynamo won their second game of the 2016 season with a 2-0 decision over Sporting Kansas City in front of 20,071 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, May 7, 2016. With the win, Houston moves to 2-5-2 on the season with eight points. Kansas City drops to 4-5-2 and 24 points.

The Dynamo took the lead in the 30th minute when captain Giles Barnes took a flicker pass from Erick Torres and drilled it past Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia for the first goal of the game. Houston doubled their goal number in added time of the first half whenAndrew Wenger found an open lane to the net and scored his third goal of the season, allowing the Dynamo to take a 2-0 lead to the locker room at halftime.

The victory ended a six match winless streak for the Dynamo, with their last win coming on March 12 when they downed FC Dallas by the score of 5-0 in the second game of the season. In head-to-head meetings, Houston has defeated Kansas City nine times while losing to their MLS opponent five times. Ten matches have ended in ties. The win gives the Dynamo five victories at home over Kansas City as opposed to three losses. Five Dynamo home games versus KC have ended in ties.

The Dynamo will next face the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday, May 11 at Avaya Stadium with a 9:30 p.m. CDT start. They will return home on Saturday, May 14 for a 4 p.m. CDT match against Real Salt Lake.

At the same time the Dynamo were defeating Sporting Kansas City, their female counterpart, theHouston Dash, also came away with a 2-1 win against FC Kansas City in National Women’s Soccer League action. Denise O’Sullivan scored in the 69th minute and Chioma Ubogagu added the Dash's second goal in the 70th minute for the win.