SKC & Dynamo
A past NYCFC player in Shelton coached by a Jersey guy, Vermes, Islip’s Mellia between the sticks next to Vermes will be the top goal getter on my last team in Savic.. Collin, the past NYRB is on the bench for Houston as an asst. Not many connections to the local market here.
Russell with a steal, great run beats 3 forces the GK to a tough save as a teammate closed in on the slight rebound. Dorsey near the area, shirt tugged of course, play on. From 25 yards, not 25” wide by Nelson Jr. Dorsey again, he wins a corner. Cleared to the Dynamo GK. Dorsey fouled near midfield. Houston too much in their defensive third and hey lose it. Defender saves a goal for SKC with Mellia out of position. Quinones with the shot, rebound hit by Baird, Fontas clears. Saloi finds Russell in stride at 30 yards, the captain pushed too far into the 6 and the GK grabs the ball away. Houston owns KC in the playoffs 4-1 that win a decade ago. Dynamo hold in their half maybe 15 passes then lose it as they go forward, recover fast. Another 10 passes in their half. Poor giveaway in their third by the visitors but they get it again getting near the area and lose it, but recover in the Houston half only to give up a good 20 yards. The first quarter hour in and both teams have had chances, Houston far more but not so dangerous in possession. Houston with almost 5x the passes of KC but nothing to show for it other than more possession. SKC to their credit are not ball chasing as most passes are harmless back and lateral. Quinones gets a mistrapped ball, goes wide from 10 yards out. Kinda gets ahold of one just wide from in the area, it was deflected out. Russell goes far post but Houston gets it out. Foul at midfield SKC ball both players sent sprawling. SKC has been playing far more direct and may just pop one through for the opening salvo. A 12-2-3 overall in home playoff games, a big hill to climb for SKC but holding their own over the first 23’. Handball by Houston just below the circle. Hard foul and we heard the SKC player cry out in pain. Salloi from 20+ yards, just high. He has 9 goal contributions over 10 playoff games. Now some nice ball movement in their offensive third by the home side but they lose it beyond the area. SKC just gave up a good 50 yards or so and are now near the top of the Houston area going end line and lose it for a goal kick. At 32’ SKC get a corner by way of a poorly headed ball toward the goal and out of play by Houston. In the six headed out and now out to Dorsey with a ball toward midfield. Quinones with a run in the area, lays it back with too much pace. In the area again, Dorsey holds too long, knocked away, gets to Herrera and his long attempt is just wide at the top of the arc. Kinda with a hard foul on Dorsey and a hard one at that, the crowd looking for a card, not one given. Herrera a DFK kick from 25 yards and halfway between the touchline and side of the area has it flicked on and over the end line. Quinones again for Herrera and too long. Over the last several minutes Houston has been getting forward with a purpose, how much can SKC absorb? Dorsey a force to be reckoned with wins a corner at 39’. Herrera finds Escobar this time and 1-0 off a great headed ball. He won that ball between a pair of blue shirts and nods it home. Kinda for Pulido, he holds it too long then another shot rebounds right up for SKC. They are looking at if the ball on the rebound was a handball, I say yes. The player on the near post had it go off the inside of his arm. The ball even pushed his arm back with force. Wow no PK. From behind the goal it seems to have gone off the left elbow. It’s never good to give up a goal as close to the half as SKC did, far worse to have a PK taken just after. Dorsey carries gives to Bassi who is high on the shot. A trio of Dynamos could have taken that shot only one does and it is wide, why wait with seconds to play, before it is back in play the half ends.
Houston would love to pad their lead and SKC needs one to stay in this game, will either happen?
Played in by Houston a missed bike to clear and Mellia cleans it up. Baird down holding his face, he ran into Rosero, that would hurt. Baird now fouls Fontas. SKC has 7 goals in their last 2 away playoff games, but showing no signs of that sort of production thus far a 50’. Dorsey with a great 1 2, a move and a ball into the area, Mellia snags it. Many passes in their attacking third by SKC then Pulido fouls to lose it, they never really went to goal, they need to, not that it is desperation time, but get one now and it’s easier. The pass to spring Dorsey, who goes outside, the ball goes in and KC gets it, then get fouled. Now the talking heads state the MLS Final will happen in OH, earlier it was still up in the air as per them, it was set last night. Pulido from the far corner of the area, watches it go higher and higher then over, almost gets the camera man though. Baird in on goal, but Mellia takes it off his foot. Less than half an hour to go, SKC may need a sub to add energy and fire soon. Coco of Houston gets a card at 69’ as he grabbed at the player beating him. Salloi takes the cross on the half volley and it gets saved. It stays there and is played out for a corner. Thommy in for Kinda. Baird goes end line pulls it back to Dorsey, his shot snuffed by tight marking. Houston wins a kick from 25 yards out. Hererra plays it in Houston gets whistled. Salloi on the wing gets it to Leibold in the area and over the line, goal kick. Aliyun & Smith in for Baird and Quinones at 77’ for Houston. Leibold cautioned for a foul as he trips the player. Into the area and over the end line for a corner a collision in the area draws no call. Houston at 79’ as Houston gets the corner bounces a bit in the area and Houston holds into the are and just wide by Houston as Coco is down. He shot as well off balance and struck poorly but had to be taken. SKC with Pullido seeking a corner just made a strong run on goal with the ball from Russell to the sliding Puillido. SKC have a number of players up at 83’. Silva is down holding his back and writhing after stepping into the path of Pulido. Zusi and Agada are entering with Graham not seeing the field since May. Bassi for Caciedo on Houston. Less than 5’ SKC must get forward. Into the area for Houston but offside. Pullido with a ball in from Salloi can’t get on frame at 87’, a great chance. Russell into the area and out, Zusi gathers, SKC holds Houston gets a call at the edge of their area as Espinoza enters for SKC for Leibold. Last minute of regular time. Zusi into and then it’s played right out of the area. 6’ of added time. SKC, not going down easy with another close chance from inside the area. Dorsey perfect pass, the first time shot is covered by Mellia and Houston gets it again. Through the 6 again by Houston. Houston corner with :15 to go and a card for Dorsey. Herrera over the ball asking for ten, the kick is short to Dorsey the final whistle Houston moves on.