HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo booked their ticket to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals after trashing Sporting KC 4-2 Wednesday in front of an announced 6,431 at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The Dynamo netted thrice in the second half to take care of their rivals, who disposed of the Dynamo in last season’s U.S. Open Cup. Houston will go to the semifinals of the tournament for the first time since 2009 and third time in club history.
While Houston nabbed the win, it did so after giving up an early goal.
Sporting KC jumped out to an early lead in the 2nd minute thanks to a Johnny Russell one-man counterattack. Dynamo midfielder Boniek Garcia lost the ball 30 feet from goal to Sporting KC winger Gerso Fernandes, who quickly played it forward to Russell.
From there, Russell did the rest. The Sporting KC winger dribbled toward the box with only Dynamo ‘keeper Chris Seitz to beat. Seitz left his line to meet Russell, but the winger calmly slotted a left-footed shot for the game’s first score.
“We kept our composure and started to move the ball to try to play and start creating options, which at home is natural for us,” Houston Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera said. “And they were sharp, Alberth [Elis], Romell [Quioto], Mauro [Manotas], Tomas [Martinez] they were moving the ball.”
Houston would get satisfaction for creating options in the 35th minute.
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Shortly after a first-half hydration break, Elis sent a threatening pass to Darwin Ceren, who was immediately fouled just outside the box. Quioto, nicknamed ‘El Romantico’ stepped up and bent it like Beckham into the back of the net, rendering SKC ‘keeper Tim Melia motionless
“I told my teammates to let me have it and that I would put it in the back of the net,” Quioto said. “I had a lot of faith in myself and thank God I was able to finish it.”
The goal is Quioto’s first in the U.S. Open Cup, but El Romantico wasn’t done. Right after the start of the second half, Houston got on the front foot and looked to take the lead.
In the 66th minute, after Manotas botched a one-v-one with Melia, Ceren played a ball over the top to Quioto, who got behind the SKC backline. Quioto controlled the ball with his chest and with only Melia to beat, sent his shot into the left corner to complete his brace and put Houston up 2-1.
Turns out the play — and especially the pass — was something Quioto had mentioned to Ceren during the game and at halftime.
“In the first half, he told me that we [Houston] have a good opportunity to make that pass because the back four of Kansas City are really deep. He told me that when I see his movement to send him the ball and I make a good pass and he finishes well and then everybody gives a hug.”
Manotas would atone for his failed one-v-one, but the Colombian had to work for it. When Manotas again found himself with only Melia to beat, he let it rip, but Melia quickly deflected the shot. The Colombian pounced on the rebound and shot toward goal. The ball had just enough on it to cross the goal line.
Houston would add a fourth goal in the 88th minute to seal the victory, which Cabrera said gave his side a “relaxing moment”. Perhaps Houston relaxed a bit too much as Sporting KC had the final word with a 93rd-minute Yohan Croizet goal for the final score.
“Overall I think it was a very good game for us in all aspects,” Cabrera said. “It’s a very good rival a tough opponent and it’s going to help us to be sharp for Saturday.”
The Dynamo go from facing one rival to now facing their in-state rival FC Dallas on Saturday. For Houston, it’s a chance to take three points from the current Western Conference leaders.