Elis’ goal salvages tie with rival
Whether it be the MLS playoffs or U.S. Open Cup, the recent chapters of the Dynamo’s matches with Sporting Kansas City have been contentious, and Saturday’s game proved no different as the rivals drew to a 1-1 tie at BBVA Compass Stadium.
“I think we went out the first half a little flat, not well-coordinated to do our pressure,” coach Wilmer Cabrera said. “Sadly, the players from Kansas City started to manage the game and delayed and it was too much for the referee. Today was really embarrassing how the players noticed they could waste time, dive, delay, everything, and the referee didn’t care.”
After a physical first half, a 10minute window in the second half largely decided the outcome of the game. An improved Dynamo defense exerted its control early, limiting Kansas City (3-5-6, 15 points) to two first-half shots — both off target. The Dynamo finished the game with six corner kicks to none for Sporting Kansas City.
The Dynamo (7-3-3, 24 points) outshot Kansas City 15-5 on the game, but Sporting seized control in the 63rd minute. Just moments after Dynamo forward Romell Quioto’s pass in to Tomas Martinez proved fruitless, Kansas City quickly transitioned up the other side of the field through a long ball from Ilie Sanchez to Yohan Croizet.
Dynamo defender Adam Lundkvist appeared to have the ball covered but Croizet made a strong push for it, using his head to knock it ahead to himself before bursting past the Swedish defender. Perhaps sensing how far out Dynamo keeper Joe Willis had ventured to try to halt the attack, Croizet popped a gorgeous chip over Willis that hung in the air just long enough to beat defender Aljaz Struna to the back of the net.
“We want to pressure, we want to play (our style). I understand they want to slow the game, it was humid, they played on Wednesday, it’s normal,” Cabrera said of Kansas City. “(Referee Kevin Stott) never showed that he wanted the game to flow and when the game doesn’t flow it affects us because we want to get the rhythm.”
In the rivalry, both teams have battled through playoff and domestic cup eliminations. With the Dynamo’s home unbeaten mark in jeopardy, Saturday’s game appeared to add another layer to the feud. And in the 69th minute Dynamo forward Alberth Elis, making his return from a concussion he suffered against D.C. United, rose to the occasion.
After Maynor Figueroa — also making his return after the death of his father — lobbed a high arcing pass to A.J. DeLaGarza from the opposite side of the field, DeLaGarza directed the ball to Elis within the area. The forward launched himself into the air, angling his body to the side then slapped the ball just inside the net as keeper Tim Melia tried to close the space.
The goal is his fifth of the year. Elis needs five to tie Giles Barnes for fifth in club history.
The Dynamo continued to push forward, with Elis unable to finish a handful of close opportunities while Boniek Garcia had his shot saved after it floated into Melia’s arms.
The Dynamo have a two-week break — a period that includes the league’s CONCACAF Gold Cup break — before MLS play resumes at Portland on June 22. Before then, they’ll begin their U.S. Open Cup title defense at BBVA Compass Stadium on June 11 against Austin Bold.
“We’re going to lose six guys so we have to work hard,” Cabrera said. “We cannot make excuses.”