10-Man Sporting KC II Side Falls to MNUFC 2 at Children’s Mercy Victory Field

September 22, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Sporting Kansas City II News Release

A 10-man Sporting Kansas City II (9-12-5, 34 points) side was unable to outlast an MNUFC 2 (7-15-4, 29 points) offensive onslaught in the second half, falling to the Loons second team 4-2 at Children’s Mercy Victory Field on Sunday night. Sporting KC II jumped out to a two-goal lead midway through the first half thanks to goals from Kamron Habibullah and Maoulune Goumballe. However, two first-half stoppage-time goals and two second-half goals lifted Minnesota past Kansas City.

Head coach Benny Feilhaber began the match with Jacob Molinaro in goal, Carson Klein, Chris Rindov and Leo Christiano in front of him and Shane Donovan alongside Danny Flores at defensive mid. Mason Visconti and Medgy Alexandre played out wide in the midfield while Habibullah manned the 10. Beto Avila and Goumballe played forward.

Four minutes into the match, Visconti fell hard and remained down behind the action. When play was stopped he was carted off on a stretcher and taken to receive medical treatment. He is in stable condition and continues to receive medical care. Sebastian Cruz came on in place of Visconti and the match continued in the 12th minute.

A minute later, Molinaro made his first of eight saves, denying a close-range effort right in front of his goal. In the 15th, Donovan received his first of two yellow cards for unsporting conduct. The first corner came shortly thereafter and fell to Habibullah who wrapped his foot around the ball, bouncing it wide of the target.

In the 19th minute, Padelford yanked Avila’s jersey at the top of the box, preventing a breakaway, picking up a yellow card and giving SKC II a golden set piece opportunity. Habibullah did not squander this chance, blasting an attempt off the inside of the left post and into the back of the net to open the scoring.

Not three minutes later, a breakaway for SKC II doubled the advantage thanks to a clever ball from Avila to Goumballe. SKC II’s second-highest scorer brilliantly rounded the keeper and tucked the doubler into the goal.

SKC II remained on the attack with a pair of near-makes in the 27th and 28th minutes. First, Cruz attempted to curl one past the keeper, but his shot drifted wide of the mark. Then, Avila sparked an attack with a superb ball to Habibullah who combined well with Goumballe inside the 18. After getting back on the ball, Habinbullah rolled his shot into Alec Smir’s hands.

Klein put his body on the line 10…