By DAN KARELL
For the second time this season, Sporting Kansas City traveled down to BBVA Compass Stadium and kept a clean sheet. Only this time, they didn’t score either.
In a game marked more for it’s physicality and rough-and-tumble nature than it’s chances on goal, Sporting KC came away with a valuable 0-0 draw against the host Houston Dynamo on Wednesday evening. The result means that Sporting KC will have to wait until at least Saturday to clinch a place in the MLS Playoffs, while the Dynamo are still a few weeks away from knowing their fate.
Despite the lack of goals in the match, the game still had some exciting and dramatic moments, especially considering that four Sporting KC players were shown a yellow card, though none received that crucial red card.
Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen earned the road point by denying Will Bruin on three occasions, the first time with his left foot, and the second two times by coming out off his line to cut down the angle, frustrating the U.S. Men’s National Team pool player.
With around 10 minutes to go, Bruin found teammate Brad Davis in the box with a terrific pass but the Dynamo captain was unable to put a shot on target.
The Dynamo finished the match with five shots on target, while Sporting KC had just one, going with Dom Dwyer up top on his own and congesting the midfield.