Sporting Kansas City Vs. Houston Dynamo, MLS Cup Playoffs 2011: Dynamo Advance Despite Brad Davis Injury

In the 39th minute, Davis went down though and in most people’s opinion, Houston had no chance anymore. The midfielder lunged for a loose ball and immediately grabbed his right leg. After being tended to by the training staff, Davis hopped off the field without putting any weight on his leg before going straight to the dressing room. When he came back out, he was on crutches.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

Sporting was throwing numbers forward and trying to find a equalizer, which left them exposed at the back. Luiz Camargo picked up the ball in the midfield and exploited it, thread a through ball into the path of Costly, who was running in behind the Sporting defense. He calmly slotted the ball home and Houston were up 2-0 to put this match on ice.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

Now Bravo is finally on, but it might be too late. Houston already leads 1-0 and they’re content to defend until this one is over. With the big, strong defenders they have, they can probably do it too. Bravo could have made the difference 10, 30 or 85 minutes ago. Probably not now though.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

They could really use Bravo at this point. Someone who has a little more creativity and skill on the ball to break down the Houston defense. Sporting isn’t going to run in behind the Sporting defense so they might want to try something new now. Bravo is that something new. Peter Vermes might want to try him.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

Houston’s biggest threat this match was what they could do on set pieces, but now that Davis isn’t out there to hit those dead balls, it might not be anymore. Frankly, it’s tough to see where Houston’s attack comes from now. The Dynamo’s MLS Cup final hopes have really taken a hit with this one injury because it’s the one injury they could least afford.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

The key for Sporting was not giving away free kicks and until the 27th minute, they didn’t. Luckily for them, they’ve survived Houston set piece and surprisingly, it was because Davis put in a terrible ball. The Dynamo midfielder has been seemingly perfect on dead balls this year, but that one never even got into a dangerous place. Sporting lucked out once, but they’d be wise to avoid giving Houston more chances on set pieces.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

Deep breaths at Livestrong Sporting Park as it looked like all of their early possession was going to go for nothing as the Dynamo came so close to taking the lead. There has to be concern that for all their possession, the Dynamo have the two best chances of the game now. Someone is going to have to shore up that Sporting back line because they’ve failed both of their tests thus far.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

It’s unlikely that Houston will have much possession. Kansas City is going to have the bulk of it and the chances will be few for the Dynamo unless they get a bunch of set pieces. When they do get chances, they need to take advantage and Ching didn’t with their first chance.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

The question is whether Sporting can parlay this kind of support into a win. While their turnaround from last place in June to the top seed in the East by the end of the season was remarkable and memorable, if they lose at their home ground today there will be considerable disappointment. At this point, they expect to be in MLS Cup, which means they need a win today, no excuses.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams, check out Sporting KC blog The Daily Wiz and Houston Dynamo blog Dynamo Theory. For more on this match-up, the rest of the MLS playoffs and the entire world of soccer, check out SB Nation Soccer.

Game Date/Time: Sunday, November 6, 5:30 pm ET

Venue: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kansas

The depth of talent has proven to a boon to Sporting KC as they’ve been able to weather a combination of injuries, suspensions and ineffectiveness from each of their forwards at various points in the season.

The steadiest of the quartet has been Kamara, who has played more career MLS minutes than the other three forwards combined. Kamara was tied for the team lead in regular-season goals (nine) and has provided veteran leadership on a team that doesn’t have much MLS experience. He’s also the most physical of the group. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 185 pounds, he’s a handful for just about any defender.