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!

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