Sporting Kansas City earned a vital away win over MLS Eastern Conference rivals Houston Dynamo thanks to a strike from Aurelien Collin.
The game started slowly as both teams struggled in front of goal as the Dyanmo had half chances early on through Ricardo Clark, while City striker Claudio Bieler tested the hosts' keeper Tally Hall from distance.
After the break, Kansas midfielder Graham Zusi did well to carve out an opening for himself as he beat several defenders before firing just wide of the target.
Minutes later, Seth Sinovic became the latest player to test Hall from distance and the keeper did well to hold his low effort with Bieler looking to pounce on any rebound in the box.
Kansas took the lead when Sinovic's long throw into the penalty area was headed into the net by Collin as he beat Hall to the ball and it crossed the line despite the best efforts of Corey Ashe to keep it out.
The Dynamo nearly responded minutes later when Jason Johnson headed the ball towards goal from a corner, but his header was cleared off the line by Paulo Nagamura, which earned City the win at the BBVA Compass Stadium.
Simon Sinclair
