Sporting Kansas City End Houston Dynamo Home Streak
May 12, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Sporting KC defender Aurelien Collin (78) celebrates a victory against the Houston Dynamo in the second half at BBVA Compass Stadium. Sporting KC defeated Dynamo 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Dynamo’s 36-match unbeaten streak across all competitions in BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston was ended Sunday night by Sporting Kansas City. The streak stretched back to 2011 but was ended off of an Aurelien Collin header in the 73rd minute from one of Sporting Kansas City’s trademark long throw-ins.
The first chance for Sporting Kansas City came in the 10th minute from a long throw by Seth Sinovic. After a poor clearance from Houston’s Andrew Driver, the ball fell to Oriol Rosell, who took a shot on goal but was saved by goalkeeper Tally Hall.
In the 17th minute, Sporting Kansas City’s leading scorer, Claudio Bieler, sent in a long shot towards goal to be saved by Tally Hall again. Just one minute later Seth Sinovic was able to send in a low cross that looked threatening but was defended well and sent out for a corner kick by Corey Ashe.
Houston Dynamo would not be without chances and in the 25th minute, Brad Davis sent a shot in off of a free-kick which made it around the wall and was bending in towards goal when goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen made a diving save to keep it out.
After a scoreless first half, Graham Zusi nearly gave Sporting Kansas City the breakthrough in the 52nd minute. After slipping through two defenders on the right side and breaking in toward the middle of the pitch, he played a quick one-two with Peterson Joseph before striking the ball with his stronger left foot but the effort was just wide of the goal.
Just two minutes later, Seth Sinovic made an unchallenged run down the center of the pitch and sent in a long shot that Tally Hall saved easily.
Sporting Kansas City got what was to be the game-winner in the 73rd minute when Seth Sinovic sent a long-throw into the box from the left side of the pitch. Aurelien Collin was able to flick the ball on into goal using the back of his head to make it 1-0 to Sporting Kansas City. The goal was Collin’s second of the season and ninth in MLS, including playoffs.
Only a minute later, Claudio Bieler nearly doubled Sporting Kansas City’s lead but his shot was just wide of the mark.
Houston wouldn’t give up the streak easily, and ended the match by putting heavy pressure on Sporting Kansas City’s goal. On a corner in the 80th minute, Jason Johnson nearly got a goal on his MLS debut, but his goal-bound header was lacking in power and Paulo Nagamura was able to clear the ball off the line.
In stoppage time, Brian Ching headed the ball to Brad Davis but his shot was deflected away by Jimmy Nielsen to get his league-leading seventh shutout.
With the win, Sporting Kansas City is now tied for second in the Eastern Conference, sitting one point behind New York Red Bulls in the standings.
Sporting Kansas City’s next match is against D.C. United at 4pm CT on Sunday, May 19th in at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.