2011 US Open Cup qualifying bracket (MLS)
A goal three minutes into overtime from second half substitute CJ Sapong proved to be the difference as Sporting Kansas City registered their first Major League Soccer qualification victory for the US Open Cup in team history, downing Houston Dynamo, 1-0. The club entered the match with a 0-2-1 record, advancing just once on penalties.
The rookie striker, selected as the 10th overall pick, is no stranger to dramatic early goals through just four games. His first career goal in MLS came in the very first minute of the club’s 3-2 victory on the road against Chivas USA in the season opener.
After receiving a pass from Teal Bunbury, who has a co-league leading three goals, Sapong drove through the Dynamo defense and let loose a curling shot into the upper right corner beyond the reach of goalkeeper Tyler Deric.
Sapong is looking to return to the tournament after being eliminated, 2-1 in overtime, in the First Round a year ago while playing for the USL Premier Development League’s Reading United AC by the then USL Second Division Real Maryland Monarchs. The former DC United Academy player tallied two goals and two assists as Reading swept all of its qualifiers in the PDL a year ago, starting all four contests. He also went on to help lead the team to the PDL Final Four with four goals and three assists in 11 games.
Kansas City advances to the final round of the eastern MLS qualification bracket and will travel to play the winner of the second round match between the New England Revolution and host DC United. Details of the match will be announced at a later date.
The two clubs came in with contrasting results in league play as Houston featured low-scoring affairs and Kansas City thrilling goalfests, but the scoreline followed the Dynamo trend. Houston opened with a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia and came into the match on back-to-back 1-1 draws in Seattle and New York. Sporting, meanwhile, saw at least four fewer goals. Following the win in California, Kansas City dropped a 3-2 contest in Chicago and saw a three-goal lead disappear in Vancouver for a 3-3 draw last weekend.
Back-up goalkeeper Eric Kronberg was critical for the visitors in the shutout, making six saves and patrolling his area well on the night. Houston’s youngster was also stellar in goal in relief of usual starter Tally Hall, making an acrobatic save seven minutes in to deny Kei Kamara’s header from six yards and stuffing Omar Bravo point-blank in the 25th minute.
Houston returns to league play, hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps Sunday evening. Kansas City, meanwhile, are idle this weekend and will next play in Columbus April 16 as Sporting continues its 10-game stretch away from home to start the league campaign while its new home stadium, LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, is completed for the June 9 opener versus Chicago.
2011 US Open Cup qualifying (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City 1:0 Houston Dynamo (After Extra Time)
April 06, 2011 — Aggie Soccer Stadium, College Station, Tx.
Scoring Summary
SKC: CJ Sapong (Teal Bunbury) – 92nd minute
Sporting Kansas City lineup: Eric Kronberg (GK), Michael Harrington, Matt Besler, Shavar Thomas, Roger Espinoza, Luke Sassano (Davy Arnaud – 91st), Craig Rocastle (Birahim Diop – 76th), Milos Stojcev, Kei Kamara, Omar Bravo (CJ Sapong – 46th), Teal Bunbury. | Substitutes Not Used: Kevin Ellis, Mike Jones, Scott Lorenz, Jon Kempin.
Houston Dynamo lineup: Tyler Deric (GK), Kofi Sarkodie, Bobby Boswell, Eddie Robinson (Jordan Graye – 86th), Mike Chabala, Danny Cruz, Alex Dixon, Lovel Palmer, Colin Clark (Corey Ashe – 76th), Cam Weaver (Will Bruin – 83rd), Jason Garey. | Substitutes Not Used: Hunter Freeman, Francisco Navas Cobo, Josue Soto, Tally Hall.
Misconduct Summary
HOU: Kofi Sarkodie (caution; Tactical Foul) – 5th
HOU: Lovel Palmer (caution; Tactical Foul) – 43rd
SKC: Omar Bravo (caution; Reckless Foul) – 46th+
HOU: Mike Chabala (caution; Tactical Foul) – 65th
HOU: Bobby Boswell (caution; Tactical Foul) – 73rd
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Referee’s Assistants: Greg Boles; Marcel Theriot
4th Official: Luis Guardia
Attendance: 2,383
Weather: Sunny-and-75-degrees