Busio’s goal provides the spark for Sporting in KC’s home victory over Houston Dynamo

Gianluca Busio stood over the ball 28-yards out from goal in front of a packed South Stand. It was the first full-capacity crowd in Children’s Mercy Park in 449 days. Sporting Kansas City was down 1-0, despite dominating the Houston Dynamo.

The stage was set for Kansas City’s 19-year-old phenom. He stood up, front and center, and didn’t leave a single person inside the stadium disappointed.

Taking just a four-step run-up, Busio whipped his foot through the ball and followed his leg through the ball in a similar swinging motion.

For less than a second, 20,086 fans held their breath. Even Houston goalkeeper, Marko Maric, could only stand and watch the ball in flight.

Inch perfect. Hitting the inside of the post within the top left corner, Busio nailed the freekick that started the rally toward a 3-2 victory for Kansas City on Saturday night.

“The feeling you get when you score a goal and the stadium goes crazy, you can’t beat that feeling,” Busio said.

A converted penalty from Alan Pulido was followed by a goal from Gadi Kinda within the 15 minutes following Busio’s goal to overcome Houston’s 13th-minute opener. Houston’s Maxi Urruti scored with the final kick of the game softening Houston’s blow.

The victory was Kansas City’s fifth of the season.

The last time Sporting KC played in front of a full capacity crowd was March 7, 2020, in the home opener. That game finished in a 4-0 victory for Kansas City. Since then, KC and Houston have played four times, with Houston taking three of those contests.

And for a while on Saturday, it looked like Houston would take a 5-2 lead in the series since the start of the 2020 season.

Despite a strong start, Houston capitalized on its one shot in the first half when Fafa Picault stripped SKC left back Luis Martins in the corner. Picault sent a quick ball into the box that was tapped on by Urruti and finished by Matias Vera.

Following the opener, Houston engaged in what some may call counter-attacking soccer. Others might call it anti-soccer.

Having taken the lead, the Dynamo put every player behind the ball, seceding 69% possession in the first half and not garnering another shot on goal.

It was the same style of play after taking a lead that led to Houston’s 1-0 victory over Kansas City less than three weeks ago in the Lone Star State.

“I think the difference is in the first half in Houston we didn’t play all that well, but in the second half, we were a different team,” Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes said. “And then tonight, from opening whistle to basically the end, we were in control of the game.

“Just us with the ball, the way we dominated from that perspective and the number of chances, our attitude and patience was tremendous.”

That patience was rewarded early in the first half from a “moment of brilliance,” in Busio’s words.

With Kansas City continuing to struggle through the Dynamo’s low block, Busio put his words where his mouth is and put the team on his back.

“I think that was definitely my best one yet,” Busio said about his goal. “It was the perfect spot, and I was happy that it went in like that and I definitely think it was my best one yet.”

The youngster’s 51st-minute equalizer lit a fire that couldn’t be put out until KC had the game in hand.

“I think it was really important getting that first one to tie the game, that was going special and good for the team,” Busio said.

“That’s just what happens when we have teams like that, who sit back, we’re going to have to have moments like that,” he continued. “It was really important, and I knew once we got one then we’d get two and three, and we did.”

The second goal came from Pulido in the 61st minute from the penalty spot. It was his fifth goal of the season in just six starts.

With Houston stretched out of shape and searching for an equalizer, Kinda put the stamp on the envelope for Sporting four minutes later. The Israeli midfielder put a first-time shot past Maric off a Busio assist.

Kinda’s third goal ended up being vital for KC with the Dynamo’s Urruti scoring on the final kick of the game to half the deficit.

“I think if you’re a fan, and you come and watch the game today, you’re incredibly entertained,” Vermes said. “I applaud the players for that. Tremendous effort from that point of view.”

This story was originally published May 29, 2021 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Busio’s goal provides the spark for Sporting in KC’s home victory over Houston Dynamo."