Houston Dynamo defender Patrick Ianni picked a great time for his first MLS career goal. He emphatically headed home a corner from midfielder Stuart Holden in the 81st minute, lifting Dynamo to a 1-0 victory Sunday afternoon against the Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead Stadium. It's the fifth consecutive win for Dynamo, while the Wizards went a third game in a row without a win.
It seemed appropriate that Ianni would score in a match marked by defensive lockdowns. Ianni's header was strong and quick off a perfect cross from the corner flag.
In addition, with the loss, Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo missed out on the chance to lead the MLS All-Stars against Celtic FC in the MLS Sierra Mist All-Star Game on July 19 in Colorado. New England Revolution coach Steve Nicol, whose team has the most points-per-game after the games of this weekend, claimed the honor instead.
With the Wizards coming off a loss to Columbus on Wednesday, while Dynamo had defeated Chivas USA on Thursday, it was the home side that had most of the early chances. Dynamo dodged a bullet in the fourth minute when Wizards forward Scott Sealy broke free on the right flank, but he put his shot wide of the far post.
In the ninth minute Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad -- making his final appearance for Kansas City before joining the U.S. team for Copa America -- was in an advanced position near the Houston goal, but a crossing pass bounded off his right foot and over the goal.
Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad, fresh from his duties with the Canadian national team in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and after a disappointing loss to eventual champion USA last Thursday, was sharp early. Kansas City was using a mixture of long balls and good passing combinations, and in the 14th minute Michael Harrington received a pass from Davy Arnaud. But Onstad was right in position to stop the chance.
Dynamo midfielder Kelly Gray, from just outside the penalty area, sent a shot toward the left corner in the 20th minute. But Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman was there to scoop up the shot.
The Wizards continued to press forward. Playmaker Carlos Marinelli slipped and lost the ball a few times but recovered remarkedly to feed Jose Burciaga Jr. on the left flank. But Burciaga's blast in the 30th minute was covered up by Onstad.
The Wizards managed eight shots for the half, four of them on goal. Dynamo had just one shot, and it was on goal.
Marinelli continued his dazzling playmaking, dribbling through the midfield and finally placing the ball on the foot of Yura Movsisyan, who came on early in the second half for Sealy. Movsisyan unloaded, but sent the shot well above the goal in the 55th minute.
This match was very tactical, at times like a chess match on grass. Both teams played asphyxiating defense, but both offenses found cracks in the blanket defenses.
Burciaga found one of those seams as he made a rush through three Dynamo defenders in the 62nd minute. But eventually the defense deflected the ball away.
Dynamo forward Brian Mullan had a strong chance in the 70th minute. He found himself at the mouth of the goal, although being closely marked by Wizards defender Nick Garcia. Mullan spun and dribbled in the penalty box before the ball was cleared by the Wizards.
The Dynamo back line continued to frustrate the Wizards attack. The Wizards had eight corner kicks for the match, but nothing to show for it.
Then came the opening in the 81st minute, as Ianni headed home the corner kick for his first professional goal on the day he made his first MLS start. He had made five appearances previously, for a grand total of 50 minutes, coming into the match.
Onstad helped preserve his shutout when he deflected a shot by Movsisyan in the 87th minute, coming out of the goal to stop the shot for his fifth save of the day. Onstad was shaken up on the play but remained in the match and saw out the final few minutes as Dynamo extended their MLS season-high winning streak.
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
