April 26, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Sporting Kansas City News Release
Sporting Kansas City progressed to the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 with a dominant 3-0 third-round victory over Tulsa Athletic on Tuesday night at Children’s Mercy Park.
In a one-sided encounter that pitted four-time Open Cup champion Sporting against National Professional Soccer League side Tulsa, the hosts used goals from Daniel Salloi, Alan Pulido and Marinos Tizonis to secure the club’s first win of the season in cathartic fashion. Goalkeeper John Pulskamp also saved a first-half penalty to preserve the shutout, while midfielder Gadi Kinda made his long-awaited return to the field for his first appearance since November 2021 after overcoming a knee injury.
Sporting has now prevailed in 12 consecutive Open Cup home matches dating back to 2015 and will learn its opponent in the Round of 32, scheduled for May 9-10, later this week. Before then, Manager Peter Vermes’ men will continue their MLS regular season campaign on Saturday by hosting CF Montreal at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are available at SeatGeek.com and the action will air live on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM.
Jake Davis, earning the second start of his Sporting career, created the game’s first chance in the seventh minute. Latching onto a delectable diagonal ball from Remi Walter, Davis volleyed a first-time delivery across the face of goal that narrowly evaded the outstretched foot of Open Cup debutant Pulido.
An inspired start from Tulsa was rewarded in the 17th minute when forward Jordan Watson raced behind Sporting’s backline and drew a penalty, falling to the turf under a challenge from Sporting goalkeeper John Pulskamp. Undeterred, Pulskamp atoned for the play by saving Chris Taylor’s subsequent penalty kick, diving low to cast aside the strike and keep the contest goalless.
At the opposite end, a pair of Sporting’s Designated Players combined as Kinda slipped Pulido into the box in the 24th minute. The Mexican international muscled past his defender and fired from a tight angle, sending his shot marginally off target. Less than a minute later, Salloi dragged an open look inches wide.
Kinda’s long-awaited return to the pitch concluded at the half-hour juncture when he was replaced by fellow midfielder Ethan Bryant, one of three Sporting Kansas City II players called up on short-term loans for the match alongside Academy products Mo Abualnadi and Sebastian…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Major League Soccer MLS News…