KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Sporting Kansas City overcame an early scare to finally get past its post-season nemesis. After being bounced from the Eastern Conference playoffs by Houston in each of the past two seasons, Sporting fell behind the Dynamo 1-0 in the third minute on Saturday night in the second leg of the Eastern Conference final. But with a first-half equalizer from C.J. Sapong and Dom Dwyers game-winner in the 63rd minute, Sporting advanced to its first MLS Cup Final since 2004 with a 2-1 victory. "We didnt panic," Dwyer said. "We kept on doing what we do, and we got the result we wanted. Were happy right now, but were very much focused on two weeks time. Were going to enjoy it, and its extra motivation to have MLS Cup at home." Kansas City will play host to either Portland or Real Salt Lake on Dec. 7. Sporting and the Dynamo played to a scoreless draw two weeks ago in the first leg of the conference final. Houston, the runner-up in 2011 and 2012, will miss the title game for the first time in three years. "I think as far as this series, we deserved it," Sporting manager Peter Vermes said. "We played smart and I think we showed real maturity. Three years ago I think we were very new to this when we played them in the same situation. We were very new, in everything. I even think our fans were new to it. There was a lot of apprehension that year, but I think this year was very different. I think the players understood the task at hand. Even though they scored early, we never panicked." Houston midfielder Brad Davis acknowledged being disappointed to not make it back to a third straight final, but said it was an accomplishment for the Dynamo to get as far as they did after finishing fourth in the East during the regular season. "Its very difficult. Im unbelievably proud to be a part of this team," Davis said. "I feel like people were counting us out a long time ago and we kept plugging away. Thats what this team does." The Dynamo scored on a goal from Oscar Boniek Garcia, whose shot deflected off centre back Matt Besler after a pass from Davis. Sapong responded in the 14th minute, scoring from short range after Houston defender Bobby Boswell misplayed Graham Zusis through ball. Dwyers decisive goal came after a precise through ball from Benny Feilhaber, with Dwyer finishing low past Dynamo keeper Tally Hall. "That was one of the classier goals youll see," Hall said. "His cut and finish made for one of the better goals Ive seen this year." Xavier Cedeno Cubs Jersey . The Raptors had an early deadline Sunday, a dreaded afternoon game, and they left the bulk of their work until the last minute, as theyve done so many times before. Justin Steele Cubs Jersey . Its the games against the leagues struggling franchises that have proved to be an issue. https://www.cheapcubs.com/2160t-robel-ga...ersey-cubs.html. The roster changes have been constant and continuous since late last year, but even with their 46-man roster set for the start of the season, the banged-up Bombers will be kicking off Week 1 with a handful of fresh faces and back-ups in the starting lineup. Ryan Dempster Jersey . Adding playoff teams. Monitoring instant replay from league headquarters. Possibly creating a set of guidelines to prevent locker-room bullying. Adbert Alzolay Jersey . After a 99-97 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, his Celtics coaches and teammates have only positive things to say about the Toronto-born rookie.ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Top-ranked Serena Williams advanced to the semifinals of the WTA Championships by sweeping past Petra Kvitova 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday. Williams, the defending champion, won all three matches in her group without dropping a set. Shes bidding for her fourth title in the elite, eight-women tournament. Earlier, Li Na outlasted Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 for her second victory in two matches and eight-seeded Angelique Kerber upset No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-2 to remain in contention for the semifinals. Radwanska was eliminated. Kerber went 0-3 last year in the tournament and this was her first win in the event. She will play Kvitova on Friday for a slot in the last four. Williams needed to win only a set to qualify and she breezed through the first despite fighting off three break points in the very first game. She quickly warmed up to overwhelm the fifth-seeded Kvitova, who won Wimbledon and the WTA title in 2011. Kvitova had to withdraw last year because of injury. "Something told me to hold serve in that game, and Im glad I did," Williams said. "Could have definitely changed things. I could still be out there. I really just dug deep and tried to hold. "When I play top players or a Grand Slam winner, such as Kvitova who has such a dangerous game, youve got to go in there knowing that anything can happen, and I have to be really focused." Williams did not stop after the first set and broke serve again for a decisive 3-1 lead in the second. Williams set up a match point with a service winner and won when Kvitovas return sailed into the net. She finished with 11 aces. "I think her serve is really big, so I knew I wanted to hold. I served well," said Williams, who has never lost to Kvitova in five matches. Williams, 32, is enjoying the finest season in her career, having already won 10 titles. She added the French Open and U.S. Open titles to bring her Grand Sllam record to 17 championships and is 76-4 for the year.dddddddddddd Making her eighth appearance in the event, Williams is looking to become the first player to successfully defend the title since Justine Henin in 2007. Henin was also the last to win 10 titles in a season, in 2007. Williams has clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking for the third time in her career after 2002 and 2009. The key to Lis victory in an error-filled match full of long rallies was her break of serve in the third set for a 4-3 lead. She never looked behind again, winning the last three games. Jankovic hit a backhand into the net on Lis second match point. The fourth-seeded Li has a 2-0 record in the White Group and looks likely to advance to the semifinals for the first time. Seventh-seeded Jankovic is 1-1. Jankovic is back in the tournament for the first time in three years. The two of them and Victoria Azarenka are vying to make the semis. "It was tight, yeah, but at least its better than the last two years," said Li, who won only once in 2011 and 2012. She was pleased to add she had one foot in the semis but her other foot was "still out of the door." Kerber is 1-1 in the Red Group. Radwanska fell to 0-3. "Im feeling good," Kerber said. "I was really playing very well today ... I was focused from the first point." Li holds a 6-4 career edge over her Serbian friend, but she had to work hard for her win. Both players were inconsistent and error-prone. Li had 45 unforced errors and 21 winners, Jankovic 36 unforced errors and 17 winners. "We had a great fight," Jankovic said. "In the third set it was just a couple of points. I got broken in that (seventh) game. She lobbed me, and the ball went on the line." Li followed the lob with a crisp backhand winner to take the game. "They were the crucial points at that stage and made a difference," Jankovic said. ' ' '