KANSAS CITY – Houston Dynamo FC earned their second win of the year and first clean sheet of the season with a 1-0 win over longtime rivals Sporting Kansas City tonight at BBVA Stadium.
The result improved Houston to 2-1-2 on the year, keeping them unbeaten at home this season and giving them a positive result in four of their five outings this season.
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After a scoreless first half, Houston broke things open in the 56th minute through forward Maxi Urruti. Midfielder Derrick Jones created the chance for Houston, stealing possession near midfield and dribbling past a defender to the top of the penalty area. Jones’ run drew two defenders, allowing him to lay off to Urruti, who calmly lifted a shot past Sporting goalkeeper John Pulskamp and into the back of the net for his second goal of the year.
Goalkeeper Marko Marić earned Man of the Match plaudits with his four-save performance. All four of his saves came in the second half, with three coming after his side took the lead. It was the Croatian goalkeeper’s fourth clean sheet since joining the Dynamo prior to the 2020 season.
Marić was called on early in the second half to keep things scoreless. Kansas City midfielder Daniel Sallói found himself alone on the left flank and raced in on goal in the 51st minute. Marić came off his line to cut down Sallói’s angle and got down quickly to save a low shot from the Kansas City attacker.
After Urruti’s goal, Marić came up with another huge save in the 60th minute, reacting quickly to deny a headed shot from Sporting midfielder Gadi Kinda at point-blank range. The Croatian goalkeeper came up big again in the 66th minute, diving to his left to save a shot off of Sallói from the top of the area.
Dynamo manager Tab Ramos was sent off in the 90th minute by referee Chris Penso after Ramos came out of the technical area while protesting a call.
The Dynamo will cap off a busy week with their third match in eight days when they visit the Colorado Rapids Saturday night. Kickoff for that match is set for 8 p.m. CDT. The Dynamo return to BBVA Stadium on Saturday, May 22 to host the Vancouver Whitecaps at 8 p.m. CDT.
