The Houston Dynamo got its first win of the 2020 season Tuesday night, getting two second-half Darwin Quintero goals in a surprising 5-2 win over Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park.
SKC started out on the front foot, to the delight of the nearly 2300 fans allowed into the stadium for the first home match in nearly six months. But it was the Dynamo who struck first, on an Alberth Elis goal in the 17th minute. The Honduran made a far-post run to tap in an across-the-box Quintero attempt.
Elis then nearly doubled the lead more than a minute later via own-goal, sending in a quick cross that SKC defender Winston Reid deflected goalward. The ball eluded SKC 'keeper Tim Melia but not the post.
Johnny Russell was able to even the score in the 26th minute, on a wild play that ended with Russell putting away a blocked Alan Pulido shot that Houston defender Zarek Valentin headed off the crossbar — and into Russell's path.
The Dynamo recaptured the lead in the 44th minute, with Elis marauding down a vast, undefended right flank and finding Christian Ramirez directly in front of goal for the finish.
The teams exchanged goals in the first five minutes of the second half, with Elis's halftime sub Niko Hansen picking up where Elis left off, and Gadi Kinda scoring from a rebounded (and then pinballing) Pulido attempt.
But then Quintero struck twice inside of five minutes, including a Darwin-to-Darwin connection, with Darwin Ceren providing a nimble back-heel assist that Quintero deftly finished.
Goals
- 17' – HOU – Alberth Elis | WATCH
- 26' – SKC – Johnny Russell | WATCH
- 44' – HOU – Christian Ramirez | WATCH
- 48' – HOU – Niko Hansen | WATCH
- 49' – SKC – Gabi Kinda | WATCH
- 57' – HOU – Darwin Quintero | WATCH
- 61' – HOU – Darwin Quintero | WATCH
Three Things
THE BIG PICTURE:
You wouldn't know, watching this match in isolation, that SKC is the Supporters' Shield-challenging conference leader and Houston entered this match dead last in the West. This is definitely a win that the Dynamo can build on — especially after the
disappointing Texas Derby draw
last Friday. By contrast, SKC will want to forget this one, except for maybe
Matt Besler
's considerable milestone.
Next Up
- SKC: Saturday, August 29 at Colorado Rapids (9 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
- HOU: Wednesday, September 2 vs. Minnesota United FC (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
