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MONDAY, NOVEMEBER 25, 2013
MLS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall attempts to punch a header by Sporting KC's CJ. Sapong out of the box during Sporting's 2-1 victory over the Dynamo. The win propels Sporting KC into the MLS Cup, which will be hosted at Sporting Park Dec. 7.
Sporting KC defeats Dynamo, advances to MLS Cup final
BEN FELDERSTEIN bfelderstein@kansan.com
Sporting Park will become the first stadium ever to host the MLS All-Star Game, the U.S. MLS National Team and the MLS cup all in the same calendar year This was made possible by Sporting's 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo in Saturday's Eastern Conference final matchup. Sporting won both the match and the series aggregate 2-1. Sporting Park will host the MLS Cup on Dec. 7.
Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo went into Saturday's matchup with the aggregate tied at 0-0. This put Sporting in a great position, only needing a one-goal victory at home in Sporting Park.
"It wasn't an easy game to play in, and we got a result," head coach Peter Vernes said on the previous matchup. "Now, it doesn't mean anything. Now, it's just a final at home."
time Dynamo got off to a quick start with a goal in the third minute from midfielder Oscar Garcia. Garcia took the pass from midfielder Brad Davis and caught Sporting goalie Jimmy Nielsen off guard.
Sporting was able to get their equalizer in the 14th minute. Forward C.J. Sapong was able to finish strong on a deflection off the Dynamo goalkeeper.
sporting is undefeated this season when Sapong scores. When Vermes was asked about that statistic, he
said, "I hadn't heard that stat before. I'm going to make sure to tell C.J. to score [in the MLS Cup final] then." In the 37th minute, Houston's Garcia received the first yellow card of the game for a hard challenge on Kansas City's defender Seth Sinovic.
The first half ended with the score tied at one goal apiece. Sporting led possession 57 percent to 43 percent. Kansas City was able to put up seven shots on goal compared to
HEAD COACH
PETER VERMES
"Houston's been a thorn in our side. It seems like everything between us two comes down to not even a battle anymore. It's a war, and we got the better of them this time."
Both teams entered the second half seeking that elusive go-ahead score. Houston forward Cam Weaver neutralized one of Sporting's strengths, which is balls in the air. Weaver matched Kansas City's defender Aurelien Collin on every opportunity. The teams went back and forth without any serious scoring opportunities for the first 15 minutes of the half.
Houston's five.
Sporting broke through in the 63rd minute on a beautifully assisted goal from midfielder Benny Feilhaber to forward Dom Dwyer.
Dwyer was able to take the pass, shake a defender and score.
"Benny just chipped the ball through." Dwyer said. "I switched from my right foot to left and calmly finished."
sporting quickly shifted to a defensive mindset knowing that all it had to do was pitch a shutout the rest of the way to advance to the MLS Cup.
Nielsen was able to make a terrific diving save in the 80th minute to keep Sporting ahead. In the 83rd minute, Feilhaber was subbed out for defender Ike Opara. Opara made his presence known quickly, clearing the ball out of the box on the very next Dynamo possession. Defender Eric Brunner was given Houston's second yellow card in the 85th.
Sporting spent the last few minutes killing the clock and Dynamo possessions. Nielsen sent the final goal kick of the game across midfield as the referee blew the final whistle.
"Houston's been a thorn in our side," Vermes said. "It seems like everything between us two comes down to not even a battle anymore. It's a war, and we got the better of them this time."
The defense was as sharp as it had been all year. In the end, Sporting was able to defeat its rivals from Houston. It was finally Kansas City's turn to send the Dynamo home early.
—Edited by Paige Lytle
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MICHAEL STRICKLAND/KANSAN Sporting KC players celebrate after the victory against the Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference finals. Houston had defeated Sporting KC in the playoffs the past two seasons.
MICHAEL STRICKLAND/KANSAN
Sporting KC defender Chance Meyers jumps on to the back of teammate Dom Dwyer after Sporting's 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo. Dwyer scored the game-winning goal in the 63rd minute after shaking a Dynamo defender.