As Sporting Kansas City’s 2022 MLS regular season home opener looms, SportingKC.com is rolling out a 15-day countdown until MLS is back at Children’s Mercy Park. Sporting began its 2022 campaign with a 3-1 loss at Atlanta United FC. The attention now turns to Saturday’s home opener against longtime rival Houston Dynamo FC at 2:30 p.m. CT at Children's Mercy Park.
The 2022 Preseason Countdown will provide fans with key storylines to keep an eye on as we approach Sporting’s home opener. From player highlights and coaching spotlights to new features at Children’s Mercy Park, the 2022 Preseason Countdown will highlight the many reasons to be excited for what’s ahead.
Yesterday, we looked into Sporting’s rivalry with Houston. We examined the early days as Houston burst onto the scene in MLS, took a dive into the three consecutive playoff matchups in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and we looked at the modern days of the rivalry.
But those events are in the past and Saturday’s match is against the 2022 Houston Dynamo. In today’s countdown, we will look at the current makeup of the Houston Dynamo.
Revamped Technical Staff
Ted Segal became the majority owner of the Dynamo and the Houston Dash of the NWSL, in June 2021 and set out with the goal of “making the Dynamo perennial MLS contenders once again.” Starting off his first full season he launched a complete overhaul of the technical staff.
His first move came back in November, with the hiring of general manager and former Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad. The next move in the rebuild of the technical staff came in January with the announcement of former Sporting KC midfielder Paulo Nagamura being announced as the new head coach in Houston. Nagamura, who spent four seasons in charge of SKC II, brought with him Jimmy Nielsen and Chris Martinez from the Sporting KC technical staff completing the reconstruction of the coaching staff.
Dynamo’s Record-Breaking Signing
In his debut offseason with the club, Onstad was busy as ever trying to turn the Dynamo around after finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference last season. He brought in MLS veteran defender Daniel Steres from the LA Galaxy and goalkeeper Steven Clark after he helped guide the Portland Timbers to a Western Conference title last season. He also resigned the Dynamo’s leading scorer in 2021 in Fafa Picault and brought back Darwin Quintero who led the Dynamo in goals in the 2020 season.
No move was bigger than the record-breaking signing of Paraguayan forward Sebastian Ferreira. The Dynamo spent $4.3 million bringing in the Paraguayan international from Club Libertad Asuncion where he scored 34 goals and added 12 assists in 79 appearances in all competitions. The newcomer wasted no time getting acquainted with MLS teams as he scored twice in preseason against MLS teams. Sporting will have to keep an eye on Ferreira on Saturday.
Dynamo Open 2022 With a Draw
Sunday, the Dynamo began the 2022 campaign with a scoreless draw at home against Real Salt Lake. Houston outshot Salt Lake, had possession for a majority of the match and even struck the post in the 82nd minute but could not find the back of the net. The Dynamo are now winless in their last five matches dating back to last season.
As Saturday draws closer, we will look deeper into the matchup between Sporting KC and the Houston Dynamo. Houston comes into Kansas City looking for their first road victory in 26 matches. Fans can purchase tickets at SeatGeek.com for their chance to see Sporting KC’s home opener at Children’s Mercy Park.
