Sporting Kansas City opened the 2011 Reserve League with a a 1-0 road loss at the Houston Dynamo on Monday at Robertson Stadium. Dynamo striker Jason Garey scored the game's lone goal in the 67th minute of the match, heading in a free kick from Francisco Navas Cobo.
Sporting KC defender Scott Lorenz nearly opened the scoring in the 15th minute but saw his shot strike the goalpost after beating Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric. On the opposite end, Kansas City goalkeeper Eric Kronberg made his second consecutive start of the season against Houston after leading KC to a 1-0 extra time win last Wednesday in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifier and anchored the defense through a scoreless first 45 minutes on Monday.
Garey's second-half goal came off one of several free kicks in the rain-filled match that saw five cautions handed out. Sporting Kansas City's lineup for the reserves match featured two Sporting KC Juniors players as U16 strikers Wes White and Nate Opperman both started for the senior squad.
Sporting Kansas City will continue the 2011 MLS season on Saturday at the Columbus Crew at 6:30 p.m. CT on KSMO-TV.
Sporting Kansas City (0-1-0) vs. Houston Dynamo (1-0-0)
April 11, 2011 -- Robertson Stadium, Houston, TX
MLS Reserve League -- Central/Mountain Division
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Jason Garey 1 (Francisco Navas Cobo 1) 67
Sporting Kansas City -- Eric Kronberg, Kevin Ellis, Shavar Thomas, Mike Jones, Scott Lorenz, Luke Sassano (Graham Zusi 11), Stephane Auvray, Craig Rocastle, Korede Aiyegbusi, Nate Opperman (Gualberto Mojica 65), Wes White (Byron Alvarez 58).
Substitutes Not Used: Jon Kempin, Konner Knoll.
Houston Dynamo -- Tyler Deric, Kofi Sarkodie, Eddie Robinson, Jordan Graye, Mike Chabala, Francisco Navas Cobo (Abé Matamoros 82), Je-Vaughn Watson, Josue Soto, Colin Clark (Nono 82), Jason Garey, Alex Dixon (Chance Bergen 71).
Substitutes Not Used: Evan Newton.
Misconduct Summary:
KC -- Stephane Auvray (caution; Reckless Tackle) 42
KC -- Mike Jones (caution; Reckless Foul) 45
HOU -- Colin Clark (caution; Tactical Foul) 61
HOU -- Mike Chabala (caution; Reckless Foul) 84
KC -- Byron Alvarez (caution; Reckless Tackle) 88
