The Houston Dynamo defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-0 today in MLS Reserve League action at the Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park. Dynamo midfielder Alex Dixon tallied a goal and two assists to improve Houston's record to 2-0 in 2012 Reserve League play.
Sporting Kansas City generated the first chance of the match in just the fourth minute of play when Luke Sassano found the head of rookie striker Dom Dwyer with a free kick from outside the area. The forward met the ball with power, but could not keep his effort under the bar. Ten minutes later, Dwyer was involved again, flicking a Jon Kempin goal kick on for Jacob Peterson, who outpaced the Houston backline but had his low shot saved well by Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric.
With 18 minutes played in the first half, lightning in the area forced the match to be delayed for 30 minutes.
In the 37th minute, the Dynamo nearly went in front after good individual work from forward Mac Kandji released fellow forward Cam Weaver in alone on goal. Weaver opted to shoot low to the far post, but Kempin was able to push the effort wide. A clearance on the ensuing corner fell to Dynamo defender Nathan Sturgis, but his half-volley was corralled by Kempin.
Houston would open the scoring in the 58th minute when Dixon raced onto a long ball in behind the Sporting Kansas City defense before squaring for Weaver who passed the ball into the empty net. Six minutes later, homegrown midfielder Josue Soto nearly douled the Dynamo's lead but he pushed his left-footed strike just wide of the post.
Dixon would grab a goal of his own in the 75th minute, hooking up with fellow Dynamo Academy product Soto to extend Houston’s advantage. Soto got to the byline and hit a hard, low cross through the six-yard box that was turned in by Dixon to put the Dynamo up 2-0.
Dynamo forward Colin Rolfe entered the game in the 77th minute and wasted little time in making an impact. The 2012 MLS SuperDraft first round pick powered home a Dixon cross from the right side to give Houston a 3-0 lead.
Both teams will continue 2012 MLS Reserve League play on April 10 as the Dynamo take on FC Dallas at FC Dallas Stadium and Sporting Kansas City host the Chicago Fire at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.
Scoring Summary:
HOU – Cam Weaver (Alex Dixon) 58
HOU – Alex Dixon (Josue Soto) 75
HOU – Colin Rolfe (Alex Dixon) 79
Disciplinary Summary:
HOU – Oscar Recio (reckless challenge) 36
HOU – Mac Kandji (delaying a restart) 71
SKC – Paulo Nagamura (dissent) 71
Houston Dynamo Reserves – Tyler Deric, Warren Creavalle, Nathan Sturgis, Bradley Bourgeois, Oscar Recio^; Brian Ownby (Josue Soto 18), Luiz Camargo, Calen Carr, Alex Dixon; Cam Weaver (Colin Rolfe 77), Mac Kandji
Subs not used: Eric Marscheider, Alan Arellano, Christian Gonzalez
Sporting KC Reserves – Jon Kempin; Michael Harrington, Lawrence Olum, Cyprian Hedrink, Shawn Singh (Kevin Ellis 62); Luke Sassano (Edvin Worley^ 73), Paulo Nagamura, Michael Thomas (Konrad Warzycha 62); Jacob Peterson (Kyle Miller^ 77), Dom Dwyer, Korede Aiyegbusi
Subs not used: Steve Spangler^
^Guest trialist
Houston Dynamo Academy player
