Houston Dynamo FC earned a 2-2 draw with Sporting Kansas City at Shell Energy stadium tonight after forward Iván Franco scored a 98-minute equalizer. The Dynamo now boast a 9-1-2 (WLD) record in all competitions at home this year.
Kansas City took the lead in the 25th minute after Gadi Kinda found Alan Pulido behind the Houston backline for a one-on-one opportunity against goalkeeper Steve Clark and the first goal of the game.
Houston equalized in the final minutes of the first half after a series of quick passes from the right side saw forward Corey Baird backheel the ball to captain Héctor Herrera in the penalty box. The Mexican international found forward Aliyu Ibrahim in front of an open goal, and the forward buried the ball into the back of the net for his first career MLS goal.
Kansas City was awarded a penalty kick in the 60th minute following a foul on Kinda inside the box. Pulido converted the penalty kick for his second goal of the match.
Houston equalized in the 98th minute when forward Thor Úlfarsson knocked down a long ball to the middle of the box into the path of forward Iván Franco, who slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net for his second goal of the season. The play earned Úlfarsson his first assist of the season.
Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark made his first contribution of the night in the fifth minute when he handled Andreu Fontàs’ effort at the top of the six-yard box.
Forward Corey Baird headed a ball to the far post in the 15th minute to set up a one-touch effort from Nelson Quiñónes, but his shot missed the inside of the near post.
Houston’s next shot on target came off the head of Ibrahim following a cross from defender* Franco Escobar *in the 24th minute. Escobar led the team with four chances created on the night.
Forward Amine Bassi was fouled outside the left side of the penalty box in the 42nd minute. Herrera went direct for goal from the ensuing free kick, and the bending shot forced a diving save from goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh, who tipped the ball over the cross bar.
Dynamo midfielder Artur forced a save in the 48th minute after he won the ball outside the penalty box. Both teams exchanged possession moments before the shot and the second ball was eventually cleared by the Kansas City backline.
The Dynamo nearly equalized in the 69th minute after Escobar found Herrera inside the box, but his header went over the crossbar.
Houston knocked on the door again in the 84th minute when Herrera found Bassi in the middle of the box. When the ball would not fall for the Moroccan, defender Erik Sviatchenko managed a strong strike that deflected to the left side of goal. After defender Daniel Steres recycled the ball, he found Escobar to the right of goal, but the Argentinian’s shot went across the face of goal.
Bassi earned a free kick in the 91st minute just outside the middle of the penalty box. Herrera again went directly for goal, forcing another diving save from McIntosh to the right side.
The Dynamo are back in action on Wednesday, July 12 when they host Minnesota United FC at Shell Energy Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
