The Houston Dynamo continued their strong form in preseason, scoring three goals, including two off set pieces, in a 3-1 scrimmage win over Sporting Kansas City Tuesday afternoon at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, AZ. It was the first of three games the Dynamo will play during the week-long trip to Phoenix.
More: See photos from Tuesday's scrimmage
Although originally scheduled to play three 30-minute periods, a lengthy delay caused by an injury to Sporting KC forward Teal Bunbury forced the squads to play one 30-minute period and another 55-minute period, with a stoppage in the second half for the injury.
Dynamo midfielder Danny Cruz got the team on the board in the 27th minute with a long ball into the box that hit off the head of KC defender Daneil Cyrus and went past goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. Although KC dominated much of the possession in the early minutes, midway through the first period, Houston began to move the ball and force scoring opportunities.
Minutes later, the Dynamo extended their lead after Jason Garey back-heeled a pass to Will Bruin behind the KC defense. Bruin took two touches and was taken down by Shavar Thomas, earning a penalty kick that Garey converted.
MORE: Garey hopes to excel at forward
Aside from the injury to Bunbury, the second half was marred by a studs-up tackle in the 43rd minute by KC defender Roger Espinoza on Dynamo midfielder Richard Edwards. Espinoza was sent off with a red card and, after an exchange of words between the two squads, the Dynamo used the break in play to bring on a new set of players.
Neither team was able to generate many scoring chances in the second half until Brad Davis's free kick in the 84th minute deflected off a KC defender and headed toward the back post. Dynamo defender Andrew Hainault was waiting at the back post to knock the ball into the net and extended the lead to 3-0.
Kansas City’s Chance Myers netted a goal in the final seconds of the match, but it was not enough as the Dynamo won 3-1, winning their second straight preseason match against MLS competition.
The Dynamo will have a morning training session tomorrow before taking on the Columbus Crew Thursday at 12 noon CT at Reach 11 Sports Complex.
Next Preseason Game: Thursday, February 17, 12 noon CT, Dynamo vs. Columbus Crew (scrimmage), Phoenix AZ
MLS Opener: Saturday, March 19, 7:30 p.m., Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union, Robertson Stadium, Houston
Sporting Kansas City vs. Houston Dynamo
February 15, 2011 -- Reach 11 Sports Complex, Phoenix AZ
Preseason scrimmage
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Own goal (Daneil Cyrus) 27
HOU -- Jason Garey (penalty kick) 37
HOU -- Andrew Hainault (unassisted) 84
SKC -- Chance Myers (Scott Lorenz) 85
Sporting Kansas City -- Jimmy Nielsen (Eric Kronberg 45), Michael Harrington (Luke Sassano 60), Daneil Cyrus (Omar Colley 30), Shavar Thomas (Sheldon Bateau 60), Roger Espinoza (Scott Lorenz 45), Michael Mravec (Craig Rocastle 60), Stephane Auvray (Davy Arnaud 60), Milos Stojcev (Jack Jewsbury 60), Omar Bravo (Adda Djeziri 45), Teal Bunbury (Birahim Diop 50), Kei Kamara (Chance Myers 60).
Houston Dynamo -- Tally Hall (Tyler Deric 46), Hunter Freeman (Kofi Sarkodie 46), Bobby Boswell (Eddie Robinson 46), Jermaine Taylor (Andrew Hainault 46), Mike Chabala (Jordan Graye 46), Danny Cruz (Alex Dixon 46), Richard Edwards (Lovel Palmer 46), Geoff Cameron (JeVaughn Watson 46), Corey Ashe (Brad Davis 46), Will Bruin (Cam Weaver 46), Jason Garey (Brian Ching 46).
Misconduct Summary:
SKC -- Roger Espinoza (ejection) 43
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
