SKC II Suffers 2-1 Defeat After Rapids 2 Scores in Stoppage Time
March 27, 2023 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Sporting Kansas City II News Release
Sporting Kansas City II (0-1-0, 0 points) suffered a defeat in stoppage time to Colorado Rapids 2 (1-0-0, 3 points) Sunday night at DICK'S Sporting Good's Park in the opening match of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season. Nassim Mekideche netted the first goal of the regular season 11 minutes into the match, however, two second-half scores from the hosts, including a stoppage-time winner from Blake Malone, had the visitors leaving Colorado empty-handed.
Head coach Benny Feilhaber started a lineup nearly identical to the club's final preseason match last Sunday with one change being first-team loanee Kendall McIntosh tending the goal. A back four comprised of Lucas Rosa, Jahon Rad, Nassim Mekideche and Diedie Traore was joined by a midfield trio of Enzo Mauriz, Ethan Bryant and Josh Coan. The front three consisted of Sebastian Cruz on the right, Amadou Traore on the left and Bakary Bagayoko playing the nine.
In the first five minutes, former Sporting KC Academy player Mauriz jump-started a dangerous-looking attack. The midfielder intercepted a pass and took off through the midfield. He spread the ball wide to Bryant who wasted no time playing a searching pass all the way across the box to A. Traore. The winger skillfully took control and ripped a shot on target forcing Rapids 2 goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez into a difficult kick save.
Marlon Vargas, a 2022 MLS NEXT Pro best XI member tried to get the home team on the board but was contained well by Rosa on SKC II's right side and was only able to plunk a cross into McIntosh's waiting arms. Moments later Mekideche broke the deadlock.
A foul right on the cusp of the attacking third gave Coan and SKC II a free kick. Coan dropped the ball right into the six, allowing the formidable defender to hit a one-touch shot past the helpless keeper for SKC II's first goal of the campaign.
Coan with a perfect pass to set up Mekideche's finish for our first goal of 2023!
MLS NEXT Pro Stories from March 27, 2023
- Ordoñez Brace Lifts FC Cincinnati 2 to 4-2 Win against Toronto FC II - FC Cincinnati 2
- FC Cincinnati 2 (4) - Toronto FC II (2) Postgame Summary - Toronto FC II
- NYRB II Hold Defending Champion Columbus Crew 2 to Draw, Lose Penalty Shootout - New York Red Bulls II
- Earthquakes II Stop LA Galaxy II, 3-0, to Open Season - LA Galaxy II
- Rapids 2 Earn Three Points in Home Opener, Blake Malone Scores Stoppage Time Game Winner - Colorado Rapids 2
- SKC II Suffers 2-1 Defeat After Rapids 2 Scores in Stoppage Time - Sporting Kansas City II
- Tacoma Defiance Draws 1-1 with St. Louis CITY2 at CITYPARK to Open Season - Tacoma Defiance
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