During the regular season, a 2-0 win would elicit elation from just about any club in Major League Soccer. During the post-season, however, with a series decided over the course of two games, a 2-0 win is only the beginning.
“As the cliché goes, it is halftime and that’s the complete truth,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said after his team defeated Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Although Dynamo players were happy with Sunday afternoon’s result, they know their work is far from done. What the result did accomplish, however, was provide a little cushion as the team heads to LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, where Sporting KC was 10-3-4 in 2012.
“We are not going there ready to advance,” said goalkeeper Tally Hall. “We are going in for another battle of 90 minutes. Composure for 180 minutes is key and this result changes nothing.”
Unlike last year’s playoff series against Sporting, this series will be decided by whichever team scores more goals over the course of the two legs. If the series is tied after 180 minutes, there will be 30 minutes of overtime, followed by a penalty shootout if the score remains even.
“It’s a weird feeling when it is two legs,” said midfielder Adam Moffat, whose 30-yard strike put Houston ahead in the 18th minute. “Usually, when you win a game, you have your award right there. We haven’t done anything yet. It’s just halftime and the second half is next week.
“I know they are feeling they are still in the game,” Moffat continued. “You don’t want to get over-excited. You want to be happy with your achievement but we have not won yet. It’s such a quick turnaround so you want to start preparing for the next game, which is coming quick.”
