Sporting KC come up short in Houston

After a first half where neither Sporting Kansas City nor the Houston Dynamo were able to put an official shot on goal, the second half became much more lively. Sporting KC picked up the pace and the possession, creating a number of opportunities but a weak turnover in midfield provided the scoring chance the home team needed.

Derrick Jones forced Gadi Kinda into a turnover before playing the ball to a rushing Maximiliano Urruti who sliced through the SKC defense and pounded the ball high over a diving John Pulskamp for the lead in the 56th minute.

Sporting Kansas City’s Manager Peter Vermes gave the start to Ilie Sanchez as the center back partner for Andreu Fontas with Ginaluca Busio, Kinda and Remi Walter in the midfield. When Johnny Russell had to leave the game in the 20th with aa groin strain he was replaced by Damiel Salloi. That did not leave many experienced attacking options for SKC.

With needing a goal, Vermes tapped Homegrown forward Wilson Harris for his first MLS minutes to replace Alan Pulido and Roger Espinoza for Walter.

Sporting KC ended up outshooting Houston 16-5 and 4-1 on goal but could not find the back of the net.