SKC II Picks up Extra Point in Shootout Win at St Louis CITY2 in the Team’s 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Finale 

September 18, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Sporting Kansas City II News Release

Sporting Kansas City II (8-12-3, 31 points) picked up an extra point in a shootout victory over St Louis CITY2 (15-6-3, 49 points) at Ralph Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, IL on Sunday night. This win in penalties is SKC II’s first shootout victory of the season and caps off the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season and 2022 campaign.

TJ Fatah who scored SKC II’s first goal in the brand-new league scored the last goal in regulation to level the match in the 63rd. Carlito Saylon, a 16-year-old Sporting KC Academy product made seven crucial saves on the night and denied two penalties in the shootout.

Head coach Benny Feilhaber finished his first year as a head coach with back-to-back results after defeating Rapids 2 5-0 and earning the draw tonight. He trotted out a similar lineup to the match in Colorado, starting a back four of Nati Clarke, Esai Easley, Jahon Rad and Mikey Lenis. The midfield was comprised of Coan, captain Collin Fernandez and first-team loanee Jake Davis while up-top, Fatah played out wide alongside Rauf Salifu and Bakary Bagayoko.

Both teams came out sizing each other up, passing the ball around their respective attacking thirds, looking for an opening. The first opening broke for the hosts in the ninth minute after Celio Pompeu gained access to the SKC II 18. K. Rad slid over well and forced a poorly hit shot to roll right into Saylon’s possession for his first save.

The SKC II backstop got involved again moments later, punching a cross out to former Sporting Kansas City midfielder Wan Kuzain. After he recycled the play he saw his shot blocked by Salifu. In that same minute, CITY2 converted on a corner kick that was headed into the back of the net by Kyle Hiebert.

In the 16th, Pompeu tried to double the lead after being played in over the top but was called offsides. The forward asked further questions of the SKC II defense in the 19th from the other side of the pitch. This time Lenis slid over to force a poor shot, allowing Saylon to make his second save.

K. Rad nearly leveled the match in the 21st after Bagayoko won SKC II a corner. Fernandez put the ball on the defender’s head but his redirected shot glanced inches over the top corner of the goal. A brilliant pass to Fatah was nearly turned in by the runner but his first touch was scooped up by CITY2 keeper Michael Creek.

In the 24th, Max Schneider ripped a back pass on target that Saylon saved with…