Houston Dynamo vs Sporting KC at BBVA Compass Stadium
Houston Dynamo players wait for a cross in their 1-1 draw against Sporting KC. (Jesus Acevedo Jr./The Bayoucitian)

Dynamo remain unbeaten at home after 1-1 draw against Sporting KC

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HOUSTON – Houston eeked out a 1-1 draw against Sporting KC on a hot and muggy night at BBVA Compass Stadium to remain unbeaten at home.

Alberth Elis scored his fifth goal of the season to equalize the game for Houston in the second half.

While Houston remains unbeaten at home, the performance on the field left a lot to be desired.

On Saturday, the Dynamo had a chance to get three points against rival Sporting KC before heading on the road for their next three Major League Soccer matches. Pair that with the return of Elis to the starting lineup, and all signs pointed to the Orange coming out of the gate firing on all cylinders. 

That wasn’t the case.

Their first shots on target came in the 30th minute with back-to-back shots that require Sporting KC saves.

It started when Maynor Figuroa unleashed a right-footed strike towards the bottom corner but Sporting ‘keeper Tim Melia dug in low to parried it away. The ball bounced to Mauro Manotas and the Colombian striker one-timed it towards goal but Sporting KC defender Graham Smith cleared before it could cross the goal line.

Save for those shots, Houston found it difficult to get into a rhythm.

Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera acknowledged as much after the game. But he also let it be known that he wasn’t pleased with referee Kevin Stott.

“Well, I think we went out the first half a little bit flat. A little bit not well coordinated to do our pressure and sadly the players from Kansas City started to manage the game and delay and it was too much for the referee,” Cabrera said.

“Today was really embarrassing how the players noticed that they could waste time—dive, delay, everything, and the referee didn’t care. It was embarrassing because the fans, they come to watch a good game of soccer, but the referee Kevin Stott today wasn’t up to the level.”

Houston’s next scoring opportunity would come in the 52nd minute.

Romell Quioto and Mauro Manotas played a give-and-go that ended with Quioto cutting inside to create space for himself. The Honduran international took a shot but Melia parried it away.

The ball came to Elis who settled the ball down before shooting it but his effort was wide left.

Ten minutes later, in the 63rd minute, Sporting KC got their only shot on target and luckily — an unlucky for the Orange — Kansas City capitalized on it.

Ilie Sánchez sent a lofting pass over the top of the Dynamo defense towards the path of Sporting KC’s No. 10 Yohan Croizet. Houston left back Adam Lundqvist made a run for it but before he could clear it Croizet knocked it forward putting him in a one-on-one against onrushing Dynamo ‘keeper Joe Willis.

Croizet smartly chipped the ball over Willis for the game’s first goal.

“Unfortunately, we gave up a goal that we shouldn’t have,” AJ DeLaGarza said. “They [Sporting Kansas City] didn’t have much tonight, I think. Joe [Willis] said he didn’t have to make a save. We can take that away from this and move forward.”

Houston moved forward fast after the goal and DeLaGarza was a crucial part of it.

Maynor Figueroa sent a cross into the box. DeLaGarza got it and headed it back across the face of goal. Elis eyed the ball coming his way and shot it on the half volley for the game-tying goal.

And while DeLaGarza nabbed the assist, DaMarcus Beasley gets a coaching assist.

“A couple of weeks ago, Beas showed me on video times where I can get in behind. Obviously, the attempt is on Alberth, because he’s so dangerous in the air and on the ground,” DeLaGarza said.

“He said [to] take those moments where they’re focused on him and run in behind and time it right, get a good ball in. I wasn’t going to score from there, so I just tried to put it back in a dangerous spot, and obviously did very well with it.”

The goal sealed the draw for Houston and split the points with Sporting KC.

The Dynamo (7-3-3, 24 points) now head into the international break while preparing to defend their U.S. Open Cup title June 11 against in-state USL-side Austin Bold.