Houston Dynamo FC fell 1-0 to Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park this afternoon.
After a scoreless first half, Sporting Kansas City found the eventual match-winner on the hour mark when midfielder Remi Walter punched home a shot from the penalty spot following a scramble inside the box. An unlucky deflection off a Dynamo defender led to Sporting’s initial chance, which was blocked but fell to Walter 12 yards out.
Houston nearly leveled things three minutes later when forwards Fafa Picault and Sebastian Ferreira linked up in the penalty area, springing Ferreira for a shot on target, but his effort was saved by Sporting goalkeeper Tim Melia.
Houston midfielder Darwin Quintero, a second-half substitute, took advantage of a Sporting miscue in the 78th minute and nearly scored when he intercepted a pass from Melia and quickly chipped the ‘keeper from outside the area. Unfortunately for Houston, the shot drifted just wide of the target.
Forward Tyler Pasher, who entered the contest in the 78th minute, forced a save in the 82nd with a hard left-footed shot from distance. He received a pass from midfielder Coco Carrasquilla on the wing and quickly cut inside to put himself in position to shoot.
The home side controlled possession for much of the first half, but Houston stretched the Kansas City backline in the 36th minute after Dynamo forward Fafa Picault dribbled past two defenders into the box. The Dynamo forward was brought down as he attempted to make a cut and the ball was cleared by the Kansas City backline.
Despite the result, Houston goalkeeper Steve Clark was strong throughout the match, making four saves and distributing the ball from the back. Because today’s match was televised nationally on Univision, his four saves earned $2,000 for Dynamo Charities through the networks Every Save Makes A Difference program in partnership with MLS WORKS. Dynamo Charities will use the funds raised through the program this season to purchase soccer equipment for Houston-area schools.
Clark and the Houston defense have conceded just one goal through the first two games of the season. They’ll look to continue that strong run of form next Saturday, March 12 when the Dynamo host the Vancouver Whitecaps at 5 p.m. CT at PNC Stadium. For tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDynamoFC.com.
