MLS Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Falls 1-0 to Houston

Published on May 12, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Sporting Kansas City (2-2-1, 7 points) took a narrow 1-0 loss to rivals Houston Dynamo FC (2-1-2, 8 points) on Wednesday night at BBVA Stadium. Despite outshooting Houston 15-4, including a 14-2 advantage in the second half, Sporting succumbed to a 56th-minute strike from Dynamo striker Maxi Urruti as the hosts emerged victorious in the first of three head-to-head meetings between the clubs this season.

Manager Peter Vermes' side will have an opportunity to bounce back Sunday when they host Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2-2-1, 7 points) in a 1 p.m. CT kickoff at Children's Mercy Park. A limited number of tickets for the match are available at SeatGeek.com while supplies last. Fans can also catch the action live on Bally Sports Kansas City Plus, Bally Sports Midwest Plus, BallySports.com, the Bally Sports app, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM.

Just 72 hours removed from a last-gasp 2-1 home win over Austin FC on Sunday, Sporting Kansas City deployed a reshuffled lineup as Manager Peter Vermes made four changes to the starting XI. Defender Jaylin Lindsey, midfielder Gadi Kinda and forward Khiry Shelton stepped in for Graham Zusi, Roger Espinoza and Daniel Salloi respectively, while midfielder Ilie Sanchez dropped into central defense -- replacing the injured Roberto Puncec -- and Remi Walter reclaimed a starting role in the center of the park.

A pedestrian first half produced zero shots on target from either team, but Houston nearly landed the first punch after 11 minutes when defender Tim Parker rose to nod a Joe Corona corner kick inches wide of the frame. Sporting were forced into an early substitute nine minutes later as Salloi relieved captain Johnny Russell, who exited with a groin problem.

Sporting created a spark in the 22nd minute with a flowing attack that saw Ilie, Walter and Alan Pulido combine intricately before Kinda was played into a pocket of space on the left side of the box. The Israeli international cut onto his right foot and unleashed a curling effort that sailed marginally wide of the far post. At the opposite end, Sporting center back Andreu Fontas did well to block a low drive Urruti on the half-hour mark.

The game sprung to life in the second period and Sporting almost landed the first punch with 51 minutes on the clock. Salloi had a breakaway shot saved following an incisive pass from Kinda, but the visitors retained possession through Pulido and Shelton ultimately flashed a shot across the face of goal that failed to test Houston keeper Marko Maric.

Houston cashed in on a Sporting turnover at midfield for the game's lone goal just shy of the hour mark. Derrick Jones won possession and drove centrally before spreading the ball to Urruti, who settled the ball on the run and hammered high into the roof of the net for his second goal of the season.

Sporting responded positively after going behind, manufacturing a flurry of chances between the 59th and 68th minutes. Kinda, who bagged the 90th-minute winner against Austin on Sunday, went close to scoring again but his header off a delightful Luis Martins cross lacked the direction to beat Maric. Shortly thereafter, Kinda's acrobatic overhead kick off Lindsey's delivery sailed over the crossbar.

Shelton successfully opened the Houston defense in the 66th minute, embarking on a 50-yard solo run down the right sideline and crossing low to Salloi inside the box. The Sporting KC Academy product cleverly prodded the ball into the path of Pulido, whose venomous blast to the near post was parried away by an outstretched Maric. Salloi was on the receiving end of a notable chance a moment later, but his attempt from 12 yards was deflected and trickled agonizingly wide.

Houston broke once on the counterattack as Sporting committed numbers forward in search of a leveler, as pacey forward Fafa Picault darted through on the breakaway only to see his chipped effort float off target.

Sporting KC Academy product and 21-year-old Wilson Harris earned his MLS debut as an 81st-minute substitute for Pulido. The visitors had the lion's share of possession in the final moments but were unable to find an elusive equalizer.

QUOTES

Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes

Thoughts on the game...

I don't think it was a particularly good game for either team. They finished the chance they had. They missed probably a couple. We missed a bunch, especially after they scored. We created a bunch of chances. We just didn't finish them. I don't think it was a particularly good game for either side.

On Ilie's performance in central defense...

I felt that we were going to play out of the back quite a bit, which we did. We had the ball a lot. I wanted to have somebody back there that felt very comfortable on the ball next to (Andreu) Fontas. That was the reason. And I thought that the way we put the midfield together, we'd be pretty dynamic and maybe put some pressure on them coming out of the midfield.

On the team's increased aggression in the second half...

Nothing different than what we really wanted to do from the start of the game. It was really just about moving the ball quickly. We just weren't quick with the ball in the first half. There were some players on the field that were a little bit reckless with the ball. We lost the ball in some situations that were really, really easy giveaways that led to us losing possession and having to chase and defend. That was probably the big thing, the big difference to be honest with you. Once we felt we could possess the ball in the second half the way we did and move it the way we did, you could see the life coming back into the team. We were much more on the front foot.

On conceding the game's only goal...

First off, we're running down the sideline. We should never cut back and go backwards. We're on the positive side and we turned around and cut back and that already leads to a negative situation. We're attacking and we have the ball. We're in front of their guys and we let them catch up to us. We let them get behind the ball. Then we lose it and we're open at that point because we're trying to possess the ball. When you lose an easy ball like that, that's what's going to happen to you sometimes. That's the reason why they scored.

On Houston's low block...

We lost the ball in a very routine situation and we're open at that point. Sometimes you're going to get crushed for it. There were a lot of situations where they lost the ball and we didn't crush them for it. That's the difference. The difference is whether you scored or you didn't score. We won the ball where they coughed the ball up in their end (with) poor passes or things like that, and then we went to goal and we didn't score.

On the team being shut out...

I think, as a team, we have to score goals. When we get as many high quality chances as we do, the people that get them eventually have to score. They have to score, simple as can be.

Sporting Kansas City defender Luis Martins

Thoughts on the game...

I think we played well, we just need to improve in some parts of the game. I think we did a great job but in the end, what matters is the result and we lost. We need to take lessons for the next game but I think we are in a great way to keep improving and we just need to be more safe with the ball, don't give away easy passes. I think we have enough quality for that and I think better results are coming.

On bouncing back quickly ahead of Sunday's match against Vancouver...

I think the team is prepared for that type of game and to play every three days. We just need to make sure that we get back home, recover well and make sure we are prepared for the next one - it's going to be a tough one as well but I think we have all to win the game at home and bring three points with us.

On why Houston was difficult to break down after taking the lead...

I think it's the game, we tried, we created a lot of chances to score to at minimum get a result here. But in the end, what matters is the score, they scored one, we didn't score and they won. I think we deserved more, but this is just the beginning. I think we have more than enough quality to keep it up.

Sporting Kansas City forward Daniel Salloi

Thoughts on the game...

Houston's always a difficult place to come in and play, especially when it's a midweek game - tough circumstances. I think that we pushed well, it wasn't our best game, we gave the ball away lots of times and missed our chances. It's just one of those games, it's early on in the season, we've got to learn from it and bounce back and get ready for Sunday again.

On the team's improved performance in the second half...

I think the mindset, we started the game slow, we were slow to step to the man in front of us defensively and just in transitional moments but I think we were sharper in the second half, but not sharp enough. Still, I feel like we created great chances and many times their goalie made big saves, many times we made mistakes. I think it's difficult, if we are a little bit luckier and have a better day, we could've come away with points from here.

On bouncing back quickly with a home game against Vancouver on Sunday...

Well we've all done it in the past, when we have to play multiple games in a week. It's difficult, but it always gives us motivation. When we have to do it at home, obviously it's a better environment and we can all focus on it more. We just have to regroup and get our energy because after that game we can have another week of rest so obviously it's very important to get points at home now.

2021 MLS Regular Season | Match 5

BBVA Stadium | Houston, Texas

Weather: 68 degrees and cloudy

Score 1 2 F

Sporting Kansas City (2-2-1, 7 points) 0 0 0

Houston Dynamo FC (2-1-2, 8 points) 0 1 1

Sporting Kansas City: John Pulskamp; Jaylin Lindsey, Ilie Sanchez, Andreu Fontas, Luis Martins; Remi Walter (Roger Espinoza 69'), Gadi Kinda, Gianluca Busio; Johnny Russell (C) (Daniel Salloi 20'), Alan Pulido (Wilson Harris 81'), Khiry Shelton

Subs Not Used: Kendall McIntosh, Amadou Dia, Kaveh Rad, Graham Smith, Cam Duke, Grayson Barber

Houston Dynamo FC: Marko Maric; Zarek Valentin, Tim Parker, Boniek Garcia (C) (Maynor Figueroa 46'), Adam Lundkvist; Matias Vera, Derrick Jones, Joe Corona; Fafa Picault, Maxi Urruti (Christian Ramirez 69'), Memo Rodriguez (Darwin Ceren 69')

Subs Not Used: Michael Nelson, Jose Bizama, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Darwin Quintero, Mateo Bajamich, Ariel Lassiter

Scoring Summary:

HOU -- Maxi Urruti 2 (Derrick Jones 1) 56'

Misconduct Summary:

SKC -- Roger Espinoza (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 70'

HOU -- Fafa Picault (yellow card; dissent) 90+6'

Stat SKC HOU

Shots 15 5

Shots on Goal 4 1

Saves 0 4

Fouls 10 7

Offsides 1 7

Corner Kicks 8 3

Referee: Chris Penso

Assistant Referee: Ian McKay

Assistant Referee: Diego Blas

Fourth Official: Allen Chapman

VAR: Rosendo Mendoza

AVAR: TJ Zablocki

Check out the Sporting Kansas City Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 12, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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