November 26, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Sporting Kansas City News Release
Sporting Kansas City suffered a season-ending 1-0 loss to Houston Dynamo FC in the Western Conference Semifinals of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday at Shell Energy Stadium. The hosts went ahead six minutes before halftime through Franco Escobar, and although Sporting created a flurry of opportunities to restore parity, Houston preserved its one-goal cushion until the final whistle.
Manager Peter Vermes fielded a formidable lineup that featured just one change from Sporting’s most recent match on Nov. 5 as left back Tim Leibold-making his first appearance since Sept. 16-deputized for Logan Ndenbe, who tore his ACL in the series-clinching 2-1 win over St. Louis City SC three weeks ago.
Sporting captain Johnny Russell manufactured the game’s first chance inside three minutes, gathering a loose ball 45 yards from goal and embarking on a mazy run down the right side before seeing his low drive saved by Houston goalkeeper Steve Clark.
On the opposite end, Dynamo winger Nelson Quinones was a nuisance for Sporting’s backline as the Colombian threatened three times in the space of a dozen minutes. His first long-range curler fizzed inches beyond the far post, while his second effort from similar distance was palmed away by outstretched Sporting goalkeeper Tim Melia. Houston forward Corey Baird was on hand for the rebound, but his ensuing shot was blocked by retreating center back Andreu Fontas. Quinones then spurned a great chance in the 18th minute by dragging a turf-trimmer well wide.
Sporting responded with a pair of decent looks near the 25th minute. Midfielder Gadi Kinda, who on Tuesday scored for the Israel Men’s National Team in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Andorra, scooped up possession off a long Melia free kick, drove at the defense and unleashed a strike that deflected marginally wide off Houston midfielder Artur. Shortly thereafter, Sporting winger Daniel Salloi sent a swerving, 30-yard bomb just over the crossbar.
Houston drew first blood in the 39th minute off a Hector Herrera corner kick. The Mexican’s teasing delivery was nodded firmly into the left corner by Escobar, who bagged his fourth career postseason goal and gave Sporting its first deficit of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Vermes’ side went agonizingly close to conjuring an instant response but had their bid for an equalizer thwarted in controversial fashion. Seconds after the restart, Alan Pulido…
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