SKC II Falls 3-0 at Houston Dynamo 2

August 7, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Sporting Kansas City II News Release

Sporting KC II (7-10-2, 23 points) suffered a 3-0 defeat to Houston Dynamo 2 (11-4-4, 39 points) at AVEVA Stadium on Sunday night. SKC II has now dropped four consecutive matches.

Head coach Benny Feilhaber rolled out a starting XI featuring two Sporting KC loanees in Jake Davis and Cam Duke. They joined Ethan Bandre in goal, making his second career start and Nati Clarke making his first professional start. Jahon Rad slotted back into the back four and Collin Fernandez rejoined the midfield.

Under the hot Texas sun, the match began slowly with both teams sizing each other up. Beto Avila took the first shot of the match in the 13th minute and had it blocked out for a corner kick. Forward Bakary Bagayoko tracked back to defend the Dynamo 2 service, intercepting the entry pass.

On the other end of the pitch, a minute later, Josh Coan sent the first SKC II shot on target but saw it saved by Xavier Valdez. He got back on the ball moments later, cutting a centering pass towards the spot that was cleared over the sideline.

Bandre made his first of nine saves in the 20th, tapping a shot over the bar with two hands that was hit with force from close range. The ensuing corner was punched by the keeper, gathered up by the hosts and chipped back on target. The ball floated over Bandre but was cleared off the line by an SKC II defender before Fernndez received the match’s first yellow card for a foul at midfield.

Minutes later, the SKC II keeper made another save, securing a shot hit right into his path. He followed that up with a fantastic double save, where he blocked the initial shot with an outstretched leg, got to his feet quickly and slid in to block the follow-up with his chest.

Juan Castilla was given Houston’s first yellow card after tripping Bagayoko with a kick from behind. Bandre made yet another save, this time getting to the front post to block an attempt from just inside the box. Avila was then booked after a foul at midfield and some jawing with the ref. A few ticks later, Davis was booked for a foul.

Duke broke through the backline but had the through ball intercepted by a charging Valdez outside the 18. Right before halftime, Bandre made his best save of the half, dashing off his line to block a shot with his chest in a one-on-one situation. In stoppage time Curtez Kellman was whistled for a foul and given a yellow. The Dynamo 2 set piece was converted by Marcelo…