Blog

To preview Sunday's match against Eastern Conference rivals Houston, I spoke to Dynamo broadcaster Glenn Davis and MLSSoccer.com writer Darrell Lovell. 

Glenn Davis

What has been the main reasons for the increased rivalry between the two sides?

"Success. Two managers that have an intense desire to win and compete. Familiarity now and past history. All of these things come into play. Of course they've competed in conference championships and playoffs. I clearly believe that this is the Dynamo's number one rivalry."

What sort of match do you expect to see on Sunday?

"That's the thing I like about Sporting Kansas City on the road. They go after teams and quite frankly most of the teams that have come into BBVA Compass Stadium have tried to open up and play against the Dynamo. Vancouver did, Colorado did to a degree, San Jose did to their detriment. I think people realize that you can't come into BBVA Compass Stadium and think you're going to sit back for an entire course of a game and let them come at you and pressure you and get out with a result. That's going to be a rare, rare luxury if it ever happens even at all this year." 

"I think it's going to be an open and entertaining game."

"I think fatigue could play a part in this match. It seemed to be a highly emotional game for Sporting Kansas City against Seattle. You have to wonder if that maybe slows the pace down on a game that might have normally been a lot faster and give people a little bit more time on the ball."

What match-ups will be important for Sunday's match?

"I think there's great match-ups all over the place. It's kind of like take your pick because of quality of the players and the way the two teams play. For me, how do the Dynamo adjust to the Sporting Kansas City midfield. Who controls the middle third of the field. There's a lot of strength there with the players. And of course you got a lot of energy out wide on both teams as well."

"This could be an incredible midfield match-up here on Sunday. I think two of the best midfields in MLS are going head to head on Sunday." 

Darrell Lovell

What's been the key to the Dynamo's long home unbeaten streak?

"I really think it down to a few factors. One, I think they just have a lot of confidence there (at BBVA Compass Stadium). There's something to be said about having momentum and having a thought process that you're not going to lose in a certain place."

"Weather here plays a very big factor for teams who are coming from the North, even the Midwest in Kansas City. The humidity, even in those months when it's not 'hot', is still something after 60-70 minutes. It's very very tough to deal with and there's no coincidence that the Dynamo get a lot of their results (at home) with goals after the 70th minute. They're conditiioned to deal with heat. They're conditioned to deal with the humidity."

What are the expectations for the Dynamo this season?

"Supporters Shield talk doesn't really come up here much. They really do focus on the MLS Cup. Honestly, I think its weird because they've been to MLS Cup the last two years but there is a sense that this is probably their best team (in the last three seasons). Of the three years, on paper, this is the best team they've had. I really do think that for Dominic Kinnear and that group, the goal really is to win MLS Cup."  

What do you expect to see from Sunday's match?

"I expect to see what we've seen the last six or seven times between these two sides, an all-out battle."

"I think personally it's going to be a game that a lot of soccer fans want to watch. It's two teams that go hard. They don't lay on the ground. They don't dive. It is really two honest teams going at it."

"I think this is going to be Houston's biggest challenge. I think Sporting Kansas City are Houston's biggest threat to end the streak (home unbeaten streak). I really do because the style of play and the condensed schedule this week. I  expect to see a battle and an honest to goodness fight this weekend."

Sporting Kansas City will travel to play Eastern Conference rivals Houston on Sunday evening. It's a match-up featuring two of the top teams in MLS and both are favorites to finish near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Team News

Houston will be playing their third match in eight days (same as Sporting KC) so they are unlikely to be at full strength. Calen Carr and Omar Cummings are both unavailable due to injuries whlie several others are listed as questionable. The most notable are Giles Barnes, one of Houston's most dangerous attacking players, and Ricardo Clark, a strong defensive presence in midfield.

Formation & Style of Play

The Dynamo line up in a 4-4-2. Houston, especially at home, will look for their outside backs to make overlapping runs to stretch the defense and create space in the 18 yard box. Houston are a team that will look to punish teams with a combination of skill, physicality, and set pieces. Brad Davis provides consistent service on free kicks and corners while Boniek Garcia and Andrew Driver are dangerous on the flanks.

Up top, Will Bruin is a target forward and Giles Barnes is a skillful finisher with some pace. Another player to watch is Adam Moffat, who fans will remember for his long-range goal in the first leg of the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals. Overall, Houston are a team that aren't afraid to be physical (have committed more fouls than suffered this season) and can score a variety of ways. They are a team that will frequently win matches despite losing the possession battle (had 48% and 40% in last two victories). 

Key Players

Brad Davis - An experienced midfielder who arguably has the best left foot in MLS.

Boniek Garcia - The Honduran signed with the team last summer and has strengthened one of the league's best midfields.

Will Bruin - A talented and physical forward who is coming off a two goal and two assist performance against D.C. United

Recent Lineups

at LA Galaxy (May 5th)	at D.C. United (May 8th)

On Saturday, Roger Espinoza will be aiming for his second cup in consecutive seasons. Espinoza was a part of the 2012 Sporting Kansas City side that won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and is currently playing for Wigan, who faces Manchester City in the FA Cup final tomorrow (watch live on FOX at 11am CT). He scored his first EPL goal for Wigan on Tuesday and the GIF below shows that wasn't the first time he's used his left foot to beat a keeper near post. You've been warned, Joe Hart.

Sporting Park had a few special guests on Wednesday night. Players from the Kansas City Chiefs showed up ready to enjoy the evening and cheer on their fellow Kansas City athletes.

From corner back Brandon Flowers to safety Eric Berry, several Kansas City Chiefs were among the stadium’s sold out crowd.

“It’s fun, it’s a lot of fun,” Chiefs’ safety Tysyn Hartman said of his first game in Sporting Park. “I’m enjoying it so far and learning a lot. I’ve been playing a lot of FIFA video games and started watching it on TV, so I’ve been learning more and more. It’s nice to come here and see it in person.”

Though considerably smaller in size than Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs thought the Sporting Park atmosphere was impressive and they had an extra special appreciation for the Cauldron.

“This is a great stadium,” defensive tackle Anthony Toribio said. “The fans are awesome, and, what do you call that? The ‘Blue Hell?’ Those fans are awesome. I want to be a part of that, seriously. It’s a really nice venue, good atmosphere, great night – I love it.”

The first time Toribio saw Sporting KC play was Sunday afternoon when Sporting defeated Chivas USA 4-0.

“Last Sunday was my first game here,” Toribio said, “and I said, ‘I have to come back.’ it’s pretty sweet.”

When it comes to favorite players, there were a few guys on Sporting KC’s squad that really stood out to these football pros.

“I’ve been told Zusi is the man, so I’ve been trying to watch him as much as I can,” Hartman said, “but number 3, Ike Opara, I’ve been watching him and he’s been playing really well.”

Defensive back Jalil Brown said he’s been to quite a few Sporting KC games, and when it comes to choosing a favorite player, picking just one isn’t easy.

“They’re all pretty exciting to watch,” Brown said. “C.J. (Sapong) is pretty cool, I’ve seen him play a couple of times, but I’d say all of them, as a whole, they’re a great team.”

After two good experiences at Sporting Park, Toribio said he’s officially become a fan of MLS.

“I don’t know a lot about Sporting KC since I follow the EPL a lot, Liverpool is my favorite team,” Toribio explained as he pointed down to the Liverpool jersey he was proudly wearing. “So I’m just now starting to get into MLS. It’s pretty exciting, and these guys are really good.”