Sporting KC Announces Preseason Schedule and Roster
January 17, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - Sporting Kansas City News Release
Sporting Kansas City announced on Monday the club's schedule and roster for the 2022 preseason, presented by Children's Mercy.
The team kicks off preseason training today in Phoenix, Ariz., where the club will be based for the next five weeks in preparation for the upcoming Major League Soccer season. Sporting's preseason schedule is slated to feature six exhibitions, beginning with a closed-door scrimmage against the U.S. Men's National Team on Jan. 21, as Sporting plays preseason matches in Arizona for a 13th consecutive season.
Sporting Kansas City will compete in the Desert Showcase presented by Visit Tucson with a Jan. 29 match versus the Colorado Rapids at Kino North Stadium. Tickets for the match-up, featuring sides that each reached the Western Conference semifinals in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, start at $17 and can be ordered online.
Sporting's four preseason matches in February will see the club play two MLS opponents and two teams from the second-division USL Championship. SKC will face the Portland Timbers on Feb. 3 before tune-ups against El Paso Locomotive FC on Feb. 9 and Phoenix Rising FC on Feb. 12. The preseason campaign will come to a close with a trip to Austin, Texas, to take on Toronto FC in the team's preseason finale on Feb. 19.
For live coverage of the club's final five preseason friendlies, supporters can follow @SKCMatchday on Twitter. Additional details regarding live streams, fan attendance and media access at preseason matches will be forthcoming as finalized by host venues and participating teams.
Sporting KC 2022 Preseason Schedule (subject to change)
Date Time (CT) Opponent Location
Friday, Jan. 21 12 p.m. US Men's National Team Phoenix, Ariz.
Saturday, Jan. 29 5 p.m. Colorado Rapids Tucson, Ariz.
Thursday, Feb. 3 12 p.m. Portland Timbers Phoenix, Ariz.
Wednesday, Feb. 9 12 p.m. El Paso Locomotive FC Phoenix, Ariz.
Saturday, Feb. 12 12 p.m. Phoenix Rising FC Phoenix, Ariz.
Saturday, Feb. 19 3 p.m. Toronto FC Austin, Texas
Sporting Kansas City opens preseason with the club's full first-team roster, including Designated Players Gadi Kinda and Alan Pulido as they each rehab from offseason knee surgeries.
In addition, Sporting is currently joined by Sporting KC II players Aljaz Dzankic and Jahon Rad, Sporting KC Academy players Coby Jones, Michael Lenis and Ryan Reid, MLS SuperDraft selections Esai Easley and Brett St. Martin and finally unsigned trialists Ethan Bandre and Spencer Glass.
Sporting KC 2022 Preseason Roster (as of January 17, 2022)
# Player Position Age
1 John Pulskamp Goalkeeper 20
2 Ben Sweat Defender 30
3 Andreu Fontas Defender 32
5 Nicolas Isimat-Mirin Defender 30
6 Uri Rosell Midfielder 29
7 Johnny Russell Forward 31
8 Graham Zusi Defender 35
9 Alan Pulido Forward 30
10 Gadi Kinda Midfielder 27
11 Khiry Shelton Forward 28
12 Kortne Ford Defender 25
13 Michael Lenis** Defender 18
15 Roger Espinoza Midfielder 35
17 Jake Davis Midfielder 20
18 Logan Ndenbe Defender 21
19 Grayson Barber Forward 21
20 Daniel Salloi Forward 25
21 Felipe Hernandez Midfielder 23
22 Kendall McIntosh Goalkeeper 27
23 Tyler Freeman Forward 19
24 Kayden Pierre Defender 18
25 Ozzie Cisneros Midfielder 17
26 Ryan Reid** Forward 15
27 Coby Jones** Defender 18
28 Cam Duke Midfielder 20
29 Tim Melia Goalkeeper 35
31 Esai Easley^ Defender 21
32 Jose Mauri Midfielder 25
33 Brett St. Martin^ Defender 22
48 Kaveh Rad Defender 20
50 Aljaz Dzankic* Defender 19
54 Remi Walter Midfielder 26
55 Ethan Bandre^^ Goalkeeper 23
80 Spencer Glass^^ Defender 23
84 Jahon Rad* Midfielder 20
*Sporting KC II Player
**Sporting KC Academy Player
^Unsigned MLS SuperDraft Selection
^^Unsigned Trialist
Led by Manager Peter Vermes and captain Johnny Russell, Sporting will begin the team's 27th season on Sunday, Feb. 27 against Atlanta United FC inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the earliest regular season match in club history airing live on FS1. The club's highly anticipated home opener then arrives on Saturday, March 5 against longtime rivals Houston Dynamo FC with kick off set for 2:30 p.m. CT on Univision.
Season tickets for Sporting Kansas City's 2022 campaign and several 2022 ticket packages and promotions are available by calling 888-4KC-GOAL or visiting SportingKC.com.
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