Sporting Kansas City continued the first leg of the club’s 2025 preseason with a 2-0 loss against Chicago Fire FC in Palm Beach, Florida on Saturday.
Following an even opening to the contest, Chicago took the lead in the 17th minute when Philip Zinckernagel capitalized on some mis-communication in the Sporting area to fire his side into the lead.
Sporting KC Academy product Johann Ortiz checked into the game at halftime and saw a pair of chances flash just wide, first seeing a first-time effort off Daniel Salloi’s cross dribble wide in the 51st minute before seeing a powerful drive from the edge of the area go close 20 minutes later.
Chicago doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Sergio Oregel fired a low strike into the bottom corner from 12 yards after being picked out by a low cross.
Sporting will play one more scrimmage in Miami, taking on Charlotte FC on Wednesday at 10 a.m. CT before heading back to Kansas City for the remainder of the week. The club then heads to Palm Springs, California on Sunday for the second leg of preseason where Sporting will participate in the Coachella Valley Invitational from Feb. 2-12.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire FC
Jan. 25, 2025 – The Gardens North Country District Park (Palm Beach, Fla.)
Sporting Kansas City 0, Chicago Fire FC 2
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Philip Zinckernagel 17’
CHI – Sergio Oregel 74’
Sporting Kansas City Lineup (First Half)
John Pulskamp; Jan Jurcec, Joaquin Fernandez, Robert Voloder, Logan Ndenbe; Jacob Bartlett, Jake Davis, Memo Rodriguez (Cielo Tschantret 31’); Erik Thommy, Mason Toye, Stephen Afrifa
Sporting Kansas City Lineup (Second Half)
Jack Kortkamp; Khiry Shelton, Jansen Miller, Ian James, Tim Leibold; Nemanja Radoja, Zorhan Bassong, Johann Ortiz; Alenis Vargas, Sebastian Cruz, Daniel Salloi (Leo Christiano 77’)
