Sporting KC bests nemesis Dynamo to advance to MLS Cup

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- The third time really was the charm.

Sporting Kansas City exorcised some past playoff demons against the Houston Dynamo with a 2-1 win in front of a Sporting Park record crowd of 21,650 Saturday in the second leg of the Eastern Conference final series.

For Sporting manager Peter Vermes, the win was sweeter that the victory came against Houston, who ended Sporting's season in the playoffs each of the last two years.

"I can't lie and say that it wasn't more special that we were able to finish them off," Vermes said with a broad grin on his face. "It wasn't a very happy situation two years ago when they hoisted the Eastern Conference Cup here. But at the same time, we have the utmost respect for them. They're a great opponent."

Sporting KC won the aggregate goal series after the teams were scoreless in the first leg in Houston. The MLS Cup will be in Sporting Park on Dec. 7 between Vermes' squad and the winner of the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake Western Conference final.

"I think in this series we deserved it," Vermes said. "We played very smart. We showed some great maturity. I think our players understood the task at hand.

"This is a great accomplishment, but we still have one game left, and that's to win the MLS Cup."

Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer scored his first postseason playoff goal in the 63rd minute to break a 1-1 tie and give Sporting the victory over Houston.

"Benny (Feilhaber) just chipped the ball through," Dwyer said. "I don't know if I just didn't want to shoot with my right foot or what. But I just touched it across."

Midfielder Feilhaber weaved through three Houston defenders before getting it ahead to Dwyer.

The goal even impressed the opposition.

"With the build-up, the cut and the finish, that was one of the classier goals we've seen this year," said Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall. "They're a good team and they were really hard to break down today."

Sporting outshot Houston 11-7 and controlled the action most of the game. It wasn't until about the 80th minute that Houston started pounding the offensive zone.

Even then, the Sporting KC defense limited the counter opportunities for Houston.

"They played well in the midfield," said Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear, who was without midfielder Ricardo Clark for the match. "I'm not much of a talker about guys who aren't here. But we're a better team with Ricardo here. But you can't say 'What if?' There's no guarantee we would have won (if Clark had played).

"Congratulations to Peter and his team, and the fans here. They'll host the final, which I think is good for the MLS."

The action was much faster-paced than anyone expected, especially at the beginning of the match. Two defensive-minded teams were in attack mode from the start.

Things started quickly for Houston. Following a take-away on a Sporting attack early in the third minute, Houston scored the first goal. Houston forward Boniek Garcia eluded defender Seth Sinovic just outside the 18-yard box, then ricocheted a shot off the shin of defender Aurelien Collin for a 1-0 lead. Midfielder Brad Davis earned the assist.

But Kansas City forward C.J. Sapong brought life back to the Sporting faithful with a goal in the 14th minute. He intercepted a clearing pass in front of Hall and blasted it in.

"After the goal, I was running and I literally made eye contact with many fans," Sapong said. "Seeing the love and passion and support that they have for the team, it just gives us even more motivation."

Once the score was tied, the pace slipped more into the expected mode. Sporting Kansas City controlled most of the action, outshooting Houston 7-4 in the half. But much like it has all season, the Dynamo mounted most of their attacks on counters. Each team had one shot on goal in the first half.

The second half started the way much of the first half ended, with Kansas City attacking and Houston countering.

NOTES: Sporting Kansas City owned a 1-0-2 mark against Houston, including a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Houston two weeks ago. ... Houston knocked Sporting Kansas City out of the playoffs each of the last two seasons. The Dynamo reached the MLS Cup final both seasons, but failed to win the MLS Cup. ...The home team in the second leg of two-leg playoff series is now 30-8-10.