Sporting KC vs Houston Dynamo preview

United States flag 2026 Major League Soccer, United States
Children's Mercy Park Sun, 2 Aug - 12:30 AM
Major League Soccer
Sporting KCSKC
0 2
Houston DynamoHOU
Full Time Sun, 2 Aug 12:30 AM
Regular Season
|
Goal
Guilherme - 55'
Lasse Berg Johnsen 45' Second yellow card
|

CONTEXT

The match between Sporting KC and Houston Dynamo concluded with a final score of 0-2 in favor of the visitors. Halftime saw the sides level at 0-0. Houston Dynamo recorded 64 percent possession to Sporting KC's 36 percent. Expected goals stood at 0.25 for the home side and 1.06 for the away side producing a differential of minus 0.81. One red card was issued to Sporting KC. The stronger team prevailed and the result remained consistent with underlying metrics. Possession and chance creation disparities shaped the contest across both halves with the second half adjustments centered on the red card event.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Final score: Sporting KC 0-2 Houston Dynamo. Houston Dynamo showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline.
  • Efficiency shift: Efficiency remained in line with expectations for both teams.
  • xG alignment: The final result aligned with the expected goals differential of minus 0.81.
  • Market alignment: The outcome was aligned with market expectations.
  • xG expectations: Houston Dynamo generated 1.06 xG while Sporting KC managed 0.25 xG.
  • Event impact: The red card issued to Sporting KC altered second half dynamics.
  • Red card distortion: Red card distortion influenced proceedings after the interval.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
S. Boiko
S. Boiko
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
J. Swartzel
J. Swartzel
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
M. Schwartz
M. Schwartz
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
D. Klemp
D. Klemp
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Sporting KC R. Wicky
R. Wicky
VS
Houston Dynamo B. Olsen
B. Olsen
0.82
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.63
1.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Los Angeles FC Rank: 73 L
Minnesota United Rank: 65 W
St. Louis City Rank: 61 L
New York RB Rank: 62 L
Austin Rank: 60 W
LA Galaxy Rank: 63 W
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.83 i
Last 6 Opponents
Austin Rank: 59 W
DC United Rank: 55 D
LA Galaxy Rank: 63 D
Vancouver Whitecaps Rank: 74 W
Real Salt Lake Rank: 66 L
Los Angeles FC Rank: 74 W
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 2 - 1
1

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
53.82
66.41
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Sporting KC
Houston Dynamo
Power Score
53.82
66.41
League Position
15
4
Global Rank
807
405

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Sporting KC — Opponent-weighted form score
Houston Dynamo — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Sporting KC Houston Dynamo

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Sporting KC

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Houston Dynamo

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Sporting KC ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Houston Dynamo
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
22.22
26.80
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
26.80
22.22
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Sporting KC -0.32 Efficiency Index
vs
Houston Dynamo +0.32 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Sporting KC
Houston Dynamo
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Sporting KC
vs
Houston Dynamo
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Sporting KC Houston Dynamo
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
7%
16%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.02 vs -0.17
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Sporting KC Houston Dynamo
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
16%
7%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.17 vs -0.02
Sporting KC
Houston Dynamo
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Sporting KC
vs
Houston Dynamo
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Sporting KC Houston Dynamo
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Sporting KC 0.15
Houston Dynamo 0.22
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Sporting KC Houston Dynamo
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Sporting KC 0.03
Houston Dynamo 0.00
Sporting KC
Houston Dynamo
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • HOU had peak pressure around 78'.
  • HOU started the game with stronger pressure.
SKC Pressure HOU Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: HOU reached the top pressure at 78' (86.04).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 4 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Sporting KC SKC Home
4 matches
Houston Dynamo HOU Away
Match Record
1
Wins
1
2
Draws
2
1
Losses
1
Goals
5
Goals Scored
4
4
Goals Conceded
5
+1
Goal Difference
-1
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-03T00:00:33+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 02, 2026, 12:30 AM
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
Children's Mercy Park
Capacity
18467
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Sergii Boiko
Jeffrey Swartzel
Matthew Schwartz
Drew Klemp

Statistics

Possession
SKC
39%
HOU
61%

Top Statistics

0 Goals 2
0 Big Chances Created 3
2 Shots 9
40 Dangerous attacks 63
36 Possession 64
2 Corners 6
12 Free kicks 10
2 Yellow Cards 1
1 Red Cards 0

Match Overview

56 Ball Safe 54
13 Goal Kicks 1
2 Goal Attempts 10
5 Substitutions 5
19 Throwins 12
5 Successful Headers 10
0 Assists 1
11 Dribble Attempts 10
5 Successful Dribbles 5
45 Successful Dribbles Percentage 50

Attacking

79 Attacks 111
0 Big Chances Missed 2

Possession

53 Long Passes 52
396 Passes 710
332 Successful Passes 652
84 Successful Passes Percentage 92
5 Key Passes 12
25 Successful Long Passes 39
47 Successful Long Passes Percentage 75

Defensive

1 Saves 4
10 Tackles 12
14 Interceptions 11
31 Duels Won 37

Build-up

9 Total Crosses 12
1 Accurate Crosses 5

Discipline

0 Offsides 1
10 Fouls 12

Lineup

Referee : Sergii Boiko

Starting XI ▼

30
Stefan Cleveland
Stefan Cleveland Goalkeeper
5.55
3
Moisés Mosquera
Moisés Mosquera Defender
6.52
28
Wyatt Meyer
Wyatt Meyer
Defender65'
6.72
5
Or Blorian
Or Blorian Defender
6.69
8
Jake Davis
Jake Davis Defender
6.97
99
Jayden Reid
Jayden Reid
Defender65'
6.73
18
Emir Karic
Emir Karic Defender
6.78
4
Lasse Berg Johnsen
Lasse Berg Johnsen Midfielder
5.59
7
Capita
Capita Midfielder
6.38
93
Shapi Suleymanov
Shapi Suleymanov
Attacker82'
6.78
11
Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris Midfielder
6.18
20
Kwaku Agyabeng
Kwaku Agyabeng Midfielder
6.46
6
Manu García
Manu García
Midfielder65'
6.35
22
Zorhan Bassong
Zorhan Bassong Midfielder
6.46
16
Jacob Bartlett
Jacob Bartlett
Defender85'
6.51
9
Dejan Joveljić
Dejan Joveljić (C) Attacker
6.86
Referee : Sergii Boiko

Starting XI ▼

31
Jonathan Bond
Jonathan Bond Goalkeeper
7.59
5
Lucas Halter
Lucas Halter Defender
6.97
11
Lawrence Ennali
Lawrence Ennali Defender
7.11
34
Agustin Resch
Agustin Resch Defender
7.27
36
Felipe Andrade
Felipe Andrade Defender
6.9
14
Duane Holmes
Duane Holmes
Midfielder82'
6.6
6
Artur
Artur (C) Midfielder
7.48
8
Jack McGlynn
Jack McGlynn Midfielder
7.71
16
Héctor Herrera
Héctor Herrera Midfielder
7.98
18
Diadié Samassékou
Diadié Samassékou
Midfielder90'
20
Guilherme
Guilherme Midfielder
8.47
9
Ondrej Lingr
Ondrej Lingr
Midfielder90'
30
Agustín Bouzat
Agustín Bouzat Midfielder
7.5
21
Franco Negri
Franco Negri
Defender82'
6.39
10
Ezequiel Ponce
Ezequiel Ponce Attacker
6.4
23
Duncan McGuire
Duncan McGuire
Attacker65'
6.44

Events

2ND-HALF
90'
Event
Ondrej Lingr → Guilherme
9th Substitution
90'
Event
Diadié Samassékou → Héctor Herrera
10th Substitution
86'
Event
Lucas Halter
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
Event
Jacob Bartlett → Zorhan Bassong
8th Substitution
85'
Event
Shapi Suleymanov → Capita
7th Substitution
82'
82'
Event
Duane Holmes → Felipe Andrade
5th Substitution
82'
Event
Franco Negri → Agustín Bouzat
6th Substitution
71'
Event
Agustín Bouzat
Left foot shot / 2nd Goal
Event
Manu García → Kwaku Agyabeng
1st Substitution
65'
Event
Wyatt Meyer → Moisés Mosquera
3rd Substitution
65'
Event
Jayden Reid → Jake Davis
4th Substitution
65'
65'
Event
Duncan McGuire → Ezequiel Ponce
2nd Substitution
55'
Event
Guilherme
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
1ST-HALF
Event
Lasse Berg Johnsen
Foul / 1st Yellow/red Card
45'
Event
Lasse Berg Johnsen
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
11'

Match Commentary

90
Attempt Attempt
Jack McGlynn takes a left-footed shot but misses.
90
Update Update
Diadie Samassekou comes on for Hector Miguel Herrera Lopez.
90
Attempt Attempt
Jack McGlynn takes a left-footed shot but misses.
90
Update Update
Ondrej Lingr comes on for Guilherme Augusto Vieira dos Santos.
90
Attempt Attempt
Lawrence Ennali takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
88
Attempt Attempt
Magomed Shapi Suleymanov takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
87
Attempt Attempt
Jayden Reid takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
87
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
86
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Lucas Halter.
86
Update Update
Jacob Bartlett is on, and Zorhan Bassong is off.
82
Update Update
Franco Negri comes on for Agustin Bouzat.
82
Update Update
Duane Holmes is on, and Felipe de Andrade Vieira is off.
82
Update Update
Magomed Shapi Suleymanov comes on for Zorhan Bassong.
76
Attempt Attempt
Dejan Joveljic takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
75
Attempt Attempt
Felipe de Andrade Vieira attempts a header but misses the shot.
75
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
71
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Agustin Bouzat scores with a left-footed shot.
71
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Agustin Bouzat scores, making it 0-2.
67
Attempt Attempt
Felipe de Andrade Vieira takes a right-footed shot but misses.
65
Update Update
On comes Jayden Reid, while Jake Davis makes way.
65
Update Update
Wyatt Meyer is on, and Moises Castillo Mosquera is off.
65
Substitution Substitution
Duncan McGuire is substituted off for Ezequiel Ponce.
65
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Manu Garcia comes on for Kwaku Agyabeng.
55
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot from Guilherme Augusto Vieira dos Santos with his right foot results in a goal.
55
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 0-1.
50
Attempt Attempt
Ezequiel Ponce takes a left-footed shot but misses.
50
Attempt Attempt
Ezequiel Ponce takes a left-footed shot but misses.
49
Attempt Attempt
Ezequiel Ponce attempts a header but misses the shot.
49
Attempt Attempt
Artur takes a shot with his right foot, but it's saved.
47
Attempt Attempt
Hector Miguel Herrera Lopez attempts a header but misses the shot.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Second yellow card shown to Lasse Berg Johnsen.
34
Attempt Attempt
Agustín Resch takes a right-footed shot but misses.
32
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
30
Update Update
Offside.
25
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
25
Attempt Attempt
Hector Miguel Herrera Lopez takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
15
Attempt Attempt
Emir Karic attempts a right-footed shot but misses.
15
Attempt Attempt
Calvin Harris takes a header but misses the shot.
14
Attempt Attempt
Capita takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
11
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Lasse Berg Johnsen.
7
Attempt Attempt
Agustín Resch attempted a header but missed the shot.
7
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
3
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Lucas Halter Head Shot Missed
3
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Sergiy Boyko.

CONCLUSION

Houston Dynamo secured the 0-2 win through sustained possession dominance and superior chance creation that matched the expected goals profile. Sporting KC's single red card introduced distortion that limited their options in the second half. The outcome stayed consistent with pre-match assessments of team strength and the xG data. Possession split of 36 to 64 percent underscored the control exerted by the visitors. No deviation from the underlying performance indicators occurred despite the low total goals. The result reflected the data without contradiction from external factors beyond the noted red card.