SoccerAmerica - Dynamo takes out Kansas City again 11/08/2012

[MLS CUP PLAYOFFS: Sporting KC-Houston] For the second year in a row, Sporting Kansas City won the Eastern Conference regular-season championship but couldn't get past the Houston Dynamo in the playoffs. Last year, it was in the conference final. This year, Sporting KC's 1-0 win at home was not enough to make up for its 2-0 loss at home.

-- Kansas City enjoyed a 20-3 edge in shots -- the Dynamo didn't get a shot off in the second half -- and had a 71-29 percent edge in possession but could only manage to put four shots on goal. Left back Seth Sinovic scored the lone goal in the 64th minute when Graham Zusi found him free for a diving header on the left side of the penalty area.

-- The Dynamo's depth in the back has been key to its success. Jermaine Taylor, who took over in the middle of the backline when Geoff Cameron was sold to Stoke City, suffered a left knee injury Sunday in the first leg of the semifinals. Andre Hainault had a solid game in the Jamaican's place in the middle of the defense.

Nov. 7 in Kansas City, Kan.
Sporting KC 1 Houston 0. Goal: Sinovic (Zusi, Kamara) 64.
Sporting KC -- Nielsen, Myers, Collin, Besler, Sinovic, Rosell, Zusi, Espinoza, Joseph, Kamara, Sapong.
Houston -- Hall, Ashe, Sarkodie, Hainault, Boswell, Davis (Luiz Camargo, 84), Garcia, Carr (Kandji, 33), Moffat, R.Clark, Bruin (Weaver, 73).
Referee: Allen Chapman.
Att.: 20,894.

9 comments

James e Chandler

commented on: November 8, 2012 at 8:52 a.m.

Yes, I know they played 180 minutes, and missed numerous chances to score, but that was a clear foul in the penalty area at the end of the match. The defender was beaten, and tripped the attacker well after the ball was by him. The referee apparently didn't want to decide the game by making that call, but by not making it, he failed the game. How sad that the officials in these play-offs are supposed to be the best available, yet all too often glaring mistakes are made that are game critical. When he sees the replay, I'm pretty sure he'll say "oh, $#@&". I know how difficult the job is, because I do it myself. I tell people, "Sorry you don't agree with all my calls. Sometimes even I don't." Too bad it had to end like that, because it was an entertaining match.

I w Nowozeniuk

commented on: November 8, 2012 at 10:36 a.m.

KC missed too many opportunities while Dynamo stuck to their bunker defense tactics...kung-fu ref let too many fouls go and gave the yellows on too many soft fouls and never properly responded to fouls from the rear. Another MLS ref who can't count to ten when distancing the wall on free kicks.

Valerie Metzler

commented on: November 8, 2012 at 10:36 a.m.

Sad ending to a brilliant season for SKC.

soccer talk

commented on: November 8, 2012 at 12:25 p.m.

Hard fought game by KC, but Dynamo experience helped them win this game as well as others. Definitely no PK in box on Sapong, he was rattled by Hall challenging his run. Haneault also bumped KC player in bow earlier, but no MLS, or anyother pro ref would decide the game on some soft contact. Kuddos to him for not listening to the groans. He let some rough play go while carding lesser plays, but the big calls were correct! GO ORANGE!!!

An Animus

commented on: November 8, 2012 at 12:26 p.m.

Alas, thug ball wins the day and MLS is set back 10 years - it felt a lot like the Oranje and the Furia Roja final with oblivious Howard Webb presiding. Why can't we (and the rest of the world) watch the most entertaining MLS Cup game (San Jose and Sporting KC) instead of allowing fifth-place finishers to limp in and spoil the show? It's like telling Man U at the end of the season, "We know you earned the most points but just for the hell of it, let's have you play a game against West Brom Albion (currently in 5th spot) - winner take all."

DonJuego Lee

commented on: November 8, 2012 at 1:03 p.m.

Not sure at all It was a clear cut penalty. Clark pulled out and Meyers went down like a sack of bricks after pushing the ball so far he'd never get it. Meyers was playing for the penalty and the Ref was ok not to award it. Sure, that penalty is sometimes given. But it is not clear cut at all and it would not have been consistent with this game. That ref looked away anytime a player went down looking for a foul. I don't mind that.

soccer talk

commented on: November 10, 2012 at 9:05 a.m.

Hey Double AA, are you serious? If you would like have your endearing matchups then whats the use in having playoffs if your team can't earn it on the field. Thats what makes playoffs great in the fact the advancement is not decided by fairy tale endings. SJ & SKC will be back as these losses make them gain experience to endure next time around. MLS is thug soccer compared to the rest of the world, but is just American/MLS futball. SKC was dishing out the fouls/nonfouls all match as well. DC played to it's strength as well to knock off fav. NY, but thats the way it goes! Go to the fiction area of your local library if you want storybook endings, b/c it doesn't always pan out that way on the pitch. GO ORANGE!

An Animus

commented on: November 11, 2012 at 1:01 a.m.

Precisely...what's the use of having playoffs if your team can't earn it on the field during the season. Why should you be given 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th chances? And in both conferences, for a total of 10 teams given a last-ditch lifeline to claim the cup. Nowhere in the world would this be entertained except the US with the NFL-let's-give-everyone-a-chance model. And even there, less than 1/3 of the teams get a chance - not more than 1/2.

soccer talk

commented on: November 12, 2012 at 1:28 p.m.

What about the FA Cup. The chance for the underdogs to victory, even being a small chance. It's not like the lower seeds are not given equal footing. The Dynamo had to win away in a knock game while SKC rested. Games are won on the field, and tourneys are designed for the top teams to excel, but the beauty is that it does not always fare that way. I see your point, but there are big $ in playoffs which are more exciting attracts fan enthusiam.

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