Three opponents, three wins, 20 goals scored, zero goals allowed.
Sporting Kansas City took another positive step forward Wednesday in Tempe, Arizona, defeating a team of FC Tucson trialists over the course of three 60-minute scrimmages to close out the first leg of the 2019 preseason, presented by Children’s Mercy.
Manager Peter Vermes gave playing time to 37 players over the course of three exhibition victories at Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex. Far below is a current look at the preseason stat log, with another batch of friendlies still to come next month.
At the forefront, Sporting has pieced together a 390-minute shutout streak with goalkeepers Tim Melia, Adrian Zendejas, Eric Dick and Academy standout Brooks Thompson boasting clean sheets across the board. On the opposite end, a balanced attack has seen 13 different players find the back of the net and eight separate players record assists.
Forward Krisztian Nemeth and midfield newcomer Kelyn Rowe led the way with three goals, while Daniel Salloi and Graham Zusi notched a team-high two assists. Of the club’s 30 combined goals (20) and assists (10), it’s worth noting that 10—six goals and four assists—came from Sporting KC Academy products.
The majority of players logged 135 minutes, clocking 30, 45 and 60 minutes respectively in Sporting’s three scrimmages. Note that the friendly against the Rising FC Trialists was 120 minutes long, while the tune-up versus FC Tucscon Trialists was 180 minutes long. In the stat table below, players were awarded a start if they were included among Sporting's first XI on each matchday.
Sporting will return to Kansas City on Thursday for a recuperation period between preseason training stints. Players and coaches will attend the 2019 Season Kickoff and Kit Launch Party on Monday at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, where all fans are welcome to join for a curtain-raising celebration in one of the city’s most iconic venues. Vermes’ side will then venture back to Scottsdale for training from Feb. 6-19 prior to battling Toluca in the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16.
Tickets for the Champions League first leg between Sporting KC and Toluca at Children’s Mercy Park are now available at SeatGeek.com.
Sporting KC 2019 Preseason Stats (Leg One)
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>GP</strong> |
<strong>GS</strong> |
<strong>MIN</strong> |
<strong>GLS</strong> |
<strong>AST</strong> |
Kelyn Rowe |
3 |
3 |
135 |
3 |
0 |
Krisztian Nemeth |
2 |
2 |
105 |
3 |
0 |
Yohan Croizet |
3 |
0 |
135 |
2 |
1 |
Johnny Russell |
3 |
3 |
135 |
2 |
0 |
Wilson Harris * |
3 |
0 |
150 |
2 |
0 |
Graham Zusi |
3 |
3 |
135 |
1 |
2 |
Daniel Salloi |
3 |
1 |
131 |
1 |
2 |
Seth Sinovic |
3 |
0 |
135 |
1 |
1 |
Gianluca Busio |
3 |
0 |
135 |
1 |
1 |
Tyler Freeman |
3 |
0 |
124 |
1 |
1 |
Erik Hurtado |
3 |
1 |
135 |
1 |
0 |
Justin Bilyeu * |
3 |
0 |
120 |
1 |
0 |
Felipe Hernandez * |
3 |
0 |
120 |
1 |
0 |
Rodney Wallace |
3 |
3 |
135 |
0 |
1 |
Gerso Fernandes |
3 |
2 |
135 |
0 |
1 |
Andreu Fontas |
3 |
3 |
135 |
0 |
0 |
Matt Besler |
3 |
3 |
135 |
0 |
0 |
Ilie Sanchez |
3 |
3 |
135 |
0 |
0 |
Felipe Gutierrez |
3 |
3 |
135 |
0 |
0 |
Jaylin Lindsey |
3 |
0 |
135 |
0 |
0 |
Graham Smith |
3 |
0 |
135 |
0 |
0 |
Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal |
3 |
0 |
135 |
0 |
0 |
Roger Espinoza |
3 |
0 |
135 |
0 |
0 |
Will Little * |
3 |
0 |
120 |
0 |
0 |
Kamar Marriott ** |
3 |
0 |
120 |
0 |
0 |
Camden Riley ** |
3 |
0 |
120 |
0 |
0 |
Daniel Johnson ^^ |
3 |
0 |
120 |
0 |
0 |
Botond Barath |
2 |
0 |
105 |
0 |
0 |
Franky Martinez ** |
2 |
0 |
60 |
0 |
0 |
Jake Davis ^ |
2 |
0 |
60 |
0 |
0 |
Tucker Lepley ^ |
1 |
0 |
60 |
0 |
0 |
Sean Karani ^ |
1 |
0 |
60 |
0 |
0 |
Mo Abualnadi ^ |
1 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
0 |
Goalkeeping
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>GP</strong> |
<strong>GS</strong> |
<strong>MIN</strong> |
<strong>GA</strong> |
<strong>GAA</strong> |
Tim Melia |
3 |
3 |
135 |
0 |
0.00 |
Adrian Zendejas |
3 |
0 |
120 |
0 |
0.00 |
Eric Dick |
3 |
0 |
120 |
0 |
0.00 |
Brooks Thompson ^ |
1 |
0 |
15 |
0 |
0.00 |
* Swope Park Rangers
^ Sporting KC Academy
** Unsigned MLS SuperDraft pick
^^ Trialist
Sporting KC 2019 Preseason Schedule & Results
<strong>DATE</strong> |
<strong>OPPONENT</strong> |
<strong>TIME (CT) / RESULT</strong> |
<strong>VENUE</strong> |
Friday, Jan. 18 |
Sporting Arizona FC |
<strong>W 4-0</strong> |
Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Scottsdale) |
Wednesday, Jan. 23 |
Phoenix Rising FC Trialists |
<strong>W 7-0</strong> |
Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Scottsdale) |
Wednesday, Jan. 30 |
FC Tucson Trialists |
<strong>W 9-0</strong> |
Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Scottsdale) |
Thursday, Feb. 7 |
Phoenix Rising FC<br>
(two 75-minute matches) |
7pm |
Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Scottsdale) |
Wednesday, Feb. 13 |
Houston Dynamo <strong>*</strong> |
5pm |
Kino Sports Complex (Tucson) |
Wednesday, Feb. 13 |
FC Tucson <strong>*</strong> |
5pm |
Kino Sports Complex (Tucson) |
*Matches to be played concurrently
