SKC II Falls 3-2 to FC Cincinnati 2 at NKU Soccer Stadium

April 23, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Sporting Kansas City II News Release

Sporting Kansas City II (2-2-1, 8 points) suffered a 3-2 loss on the road to FC Cincinnati 2 (2-1-1, 8 points) at NKU Soccer Stadium, Sunday evening in the team’s first-ever meeting with an Eastern Conference opponent in MLS NEXT Pro. Forward Pau Vidal netted his fourth goal of the season and has now scored in four straight matches while Sporting KC Academy player Cielo Tschantret found the back of the net in his professional debut.

A rotated squad from head coach Benny Feilhaber featured five changes from SKC II’s 4-0 win over Real Monarchs on Friday, April 14. Sporting KC Academy goalkeeper Carlito Saylon made his 2023 debut after appearing in three SKC II matches a season ago. Nati Clarke made his second straight start and was joined by fellow Academy defender Jacob Bartlett. Lucas Rosa made his fifth start and Jahon Rad made his fourth. The midfield was comprised of Tschantrat as well as captain Josh Coan and SKC II newcomer Vitor Dias. The front three was made up of Vidal, Andrew Draper and Alenis Vargas making his first start for the team.

Entering tonight, SKC II had scored first in every match and had scored within the first 10 minutes in back-to-back contests. Both of those streaks were extended when Vidal opened up the scoring in the fourth minute, getting on the end of a cross from Vargas from the right side and thundering the ball into the back of the net.

For Vargas, it was one of his first actions as a member of SKC II after signing with the team on loan from Fútbol Consultants Desamparados in Costa Rica. For Vidal, it gives him four goals on the season all of which have come in SKC II’s last four matches. The Spanish striker is tied for second in MLS NEXT Pro with four goals on the season.

SKC II kept up the pressure and continued to chase FCC2 all over the field. This high press led to numerous chances for the visitors including one from Vargas in the eighth minute. This time, Vidal would have been the one picking up the assist had the winger’s effort not been saved by Evan Louro. Salim Adams took the first shot for the hosts and sent it well off frame in the 10th minute.

Coan, who had two shots on target in the contest took his first from inside the 18 in the 12th, ripping the ball off the bounce into the midsection of Louro. The ball nearly rolled over the goalline but was cleared at the last moment by a retreating defender. Adams was then shown…