Dynamo came back to beat Kansas City 2-1 and get their third consecutive win.
Houston came to this game with the determination to get another three points over the first place on the Western Conference. Dynamo knows how to beat Sporting KC as they already went to Children’s Mercy Park and got a 5-2 victory over the Midwestern side. That win was the first one for the Orange this 2020 and the first one for first year coach Tab Ramos. Now the mission was similar. They wanted to replicate what they did in Kansas City, but this time at home.
With this in mind, coach Tab Ramos sent the same starting lineup as last match, with only one changed, Alejandro Fuenmayor started the match in place of Kiki Struna.
On the other hand, SKC came to the Space City with the idea of getting points to remain in the first place of the conference.
The first forty-five the match had a great tactic battle. The home team started with a high pressured on Kansas City, which limited the attacks for the away team. However, SKC was more effective in offense. Gianluca Busio gave the equilibrium and managed the rhythm of Kansas City. They create some chances to score, especially when they attacked from their right side via Graham Susi and Gandi Kinda. They offer some help to forward Erik Hurtado in offense.
Despite the high pressure and having the possession of the ball, the Dynamo was predictable and missed in the last touch. Things started to complicate for the Orange as Hurtado put the visitors on top after a play inside the box at the 30th minute. Christian Ramirez had a chance to tie the score at the 42’, but the ball hit the crossbar. The partial at the half saw the visitors winning 1-0.
This was a good challenge for Houston, which did a key substitution in the second half, when Alberth Elis came in. Elis used his speed and versatile game to move all around the offensive side. At the 59’, just a few minutes after he came in, Elis found the equalizer as he finished a great pass from Darwin Ceren inside the box to beat goalkeeper Tim Melia.
Houston after the goal kept attacking and SKC looked confused and tired. Five minutes before the end of the game, Mauro Manotas, who came from the bench, scored the winner for the Dynamo with a great header after a perfect cross by Zarek Valentin. This was the 50th goal scored by the Colombian with the Orange.
With the win, Houston has won three games in a row and finished the night jumping to third place of the conference with 13 points. SKC remains with 17 points after 10 games, but Seattle Sounders and now Houston are getting closer to the Peter Vermes side.
Now, Sporting KC will get some rest and prepare to host Minnesota United on Sunday September 13th to finish the Phase 1 of the return of the MLS. Houston on the other hand, will finish the Phase 1 with two visits as they will travel to Colorado to play against the Rapids and then they will have a short trip to Frisco to play a new edition of the Texas Derby against Dallas FC.
