Dynamo heads into first round of playoffs
Win ensures club will kick off against Sporting in front of fans
With a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Fire in Sunday’s regular-season finale, the Dynamo earn a key home-field advantage in the MLS Cup playoffs knockout round Thursday.
The Dynamo have enjoyed fantastic form at home all season.
Fittingly, that’s the reason they get to enjoy another home game this week.
With a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Fire in Sunday’s regular-season finale in front of 20,456 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium, the Dynamo did their part in their quest to earn a home match in the MLS Cup playoffs knockout round.
The other part came in the form of Sporting Kansas City’s loss to Real Salt Lake.
That combination of results means the Dynamo (13-10-11) switch places with Sporting KC in the standings and will host their longtime rivals in the first round of the playoffs at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
“It’s massive,” defender Jalil Anibaba said. “You saw the crowd today; that’s what we need. It gives us the energy in the difficult moments. Home-field advantage is ev-
erything at this point of the season.”
Sunday’s victory also gives the Dynamo a clubrecord 12 at home this year. They have lost only one home game out of 17. That record includes a 2-1 victory over Sporting KC on Oct. 11.
Strong second half
Romell Quioto and Mauro Manotas scored second-half goals Sunday to help the Dynamo pull away. With the Dynamo clinging to a 1-0 lead, Quioto doubled the advantage by scoring in the 68th minute. Quioto received an outlet pass near midfield and dribbled into the penalty area. With defender Jonathan Campbell on top of him, Quioto hit a left-footed shot to the near post that deflected off goalkeeper Richard Sanchez’s arm and rolled gently across the goal line.
Manotas put the game out of reach when he converted Andrew Wenger’s crossing pass in the 75th minute.
It was an impressive performance after Chicago had come out on the front foot to start the second half in search of an equalizer. After 15 minutes, the Dynamo gained some possession of their own and turned around the game.
“Little by little, we were more comfortable with the ball in the second half,” coach Wilmer Cabrera said. “We improved with the ball and our possession. That allowed us to be more comfortable and create more options up front.”
The first halves of Sunday’s meaningful games went well for the Dynamo. Not only did they lead 1-0, but Sporting KC trailed 2-0. Sporting KC never gave itself a chance.
That meant the goal the Dynamo scored in the second minute was enough to secure the three points they needed to give themselves a chance to play their playoff opener at home.
The winner came on a rare center-back combination when Leonardo headed in Adolfo Machado’s long throw-in just 82 seconds into the match.
DeLaGarza hurts knee
The first half was not entirely good for the Dynamo. Right back A.J. DeLaGarza went down without contact in the eighth minute when Chicago’s David Accam cut inside after dribbling down the left flank.
DeLaGarza’s left knee buckled, and after he gingerly walking off the field under his own power, a trainer worked with him. A few minutes later, DeLaGarza went directly to the locker room.
He later was diagnosed with a left knee sprain but will undergo an MRI on Monday morning.
Anibaba subbed in for him in the 13th minute. It seems unlikely DeLaGarza will be ready to go again for the playoff opener. Anibaba or Kevin Garcia is likely to take his place in the starting lineup.