Quite Bland

Last night at Livestrong Sporting Park, Kansas City and Houston played to one of the more dull/drab performances of the season.  Neither team really looked overly interested going forward.  The heat yesterday in Kansas City certainly played a role, even thought a minor cold from came through and dropped the temperature from near 100 to near 90 instead. 

KC came out a little bit more subdued with their high pressure, whether that was because of the heat or because of the upcoming US Open Cup semifinal isn't really know, but KC didn't come out and pressing as much as they normally do.  It was actually Houston that created the best chance in the first half, as Jermaine Taylor played a ball over Seth Sinovic, allowing Oscar Boniek Garcia in behind the defense and 1v1 with Jimmy Nielsen.  As the Honduran tried to slot the ball to the back post though, Nielsen made a big save and covered the rebound to keep the game scoreless.  KC had the majority of the play in the first half but really struggled to create good chances in the run of play or off the set pieces that they created.  In the 30th minute, Kei Kamara couldn't quite reach the cross.  KC's best chance came in the 33rd minute when Roger Espinoza fed the ball to Jacob Peterson at the top of the box.  Peterson cut inside on Andre Hainault and let loose from a shot that beat Tally Hall, but not the post as the ball bounced back into play.

KC early on in the second half continued their pressure.  CJ Sapong pushed an effort just wide of the post after a great run from Espinoza to get into the box and create space.  As a whole, that was about it for the really dangerous chances for either side, the only other opportunity in the second half that really looked threatening was a Brain Ownby shot that Nielsen blocked late in the game.  The rest of the game was a very boring and dull affair with lots of possession for KC in the middle of the field, but once again KC struggled to get much of anything out of it.

Wizards Man of the Match - Kei Kamara  - While KC didn't score, Kamara was a beast offensively for KC last night.  With the temperatures as hot as they were, Kamara was all over the field trying to will an opportunity.  A few times he had balls played to him at the back post and just had the chance cut out or just missed connecting with it.

Player Ratings - Nielsen 7, Sinovic 7, Collin 7, Besler 8, Myers 7, Nagamura 6, Espinoza 7, Zusi 6, Kamara 8, Sapong 5, Peterson 6.  Subs Bunbury 5, Saad NR.