Late goal in Houston extends Sporting KC’s winless streak to 6

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A late goal from Houston Dynamo forward Ibrahim Aliyu beat Sporting Kansas City at home in a 2-1 loss.

After needing overtime to beat USL League One club Union Omaha 2-1 on Tuesday in the round of 16 of the US Open Cup, Sporting has drawn or lost its last six MLS matches, its last victory coming on the road against Toronto FC in March. 30.

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It was also Sporting’s third match in seven days, with the Open Cup match being the first midweek match of the season for the club.

Houston took advantage of Sporting’s high pressure in the 78th minute with Houston goalkeeper Steve Clark lobbing a ball toward wide-open right back Griffin Dorsey on the right wing.

Dorsey crossed midfield as the Sporting players were late in transition and Dorsey sent an assist to wide-open striker Aliyu on the left wing who sent a right-footed shot past the Sporting goalkeeper. SKC Tim Melia to take the lead.

SKC’s best chance after Aliyu’s goal came in the 88th minute.

Substitute Alenis Vargas (for striker and captain Johnny Russell) sent a cross into the box to right back Tim Leibold who was on the left side of the box. Leibold sent a header to striker Willy Agada who was in the center of the box and Agada flew through the air to head the ball into the left corner of the net, but Clark stuck out his right hand for the save.

Houston midfielder and captain Hector Herrera gave Dynamo the lead in the 31st minute with a high right-footed shot into the upper right corner from just outside the box on a corner kick for a lead from 1-0.

Sporting’s best chance to score in the first half came from midfielder Memo Rodriguez who intercepted the ball in a high pressure and sent a right-footed screamer just past the far left post out of play at the 16th minute.

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In the second half, Sporting forward Dániel Sallói scored his first goal of the season, collecting a pass from Rodriguez which bounced off Dynamo defender Micael and turned to use his right foot to send the ball into the bottom left corner in the 61st minute.

Sporting outscored Houston 15 (six on goal) to 13 (seven on goal), but was only possessed 46% of the game. Clark and Melia each made five saves in front of goal.

Sporting is 2-5-5 in MLS and hits the road to face Austin FC on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

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