Sporting Kansas City opened their 2023 preseason slate with a 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers in an abbreviated 60-minute scrimmage at Grand Canyon University on Saturday afternoon.
The contest was broken up into two 30-minute halves, with Sporting KC rolling out a separate lineup for each period.
The guile and trickery of Marinos Tzionis and Cam Duke caused the Timbers a few problems early on, but it was Portland’s Yimmi Chara with the first big chance of the match as his lobbed attempt from the edge of the area landed on the roof of the net in the 11th minute.
A few minutes later, Felipe Hernandez stung the palms of the Portland goalkeeper with a powerful free kick from 25 yards out but the first half ended 0-0.
Portland took the lead at the halfway point of the second 30-minute period, with Nathan Fogaca finding the net with a nifty bicycle kick from close range.
Following the goal, it was all Sporting as first Johnny Russell sent a header over the bar off Ben Sweat’s delivery, before Remi Walter saw a goal bound shot deflected narrowly wide.
From the corner, Daniel Salloi thought he had equalized but his strike was blocked in front of goal by his own teammate Willy Agada. One minute later, Agada met Danny Flores’ cross but headed over the bar with the goalkeeper stranded as the game ended 1-0.
Sporting KC continues their preseason schedule next Saturday, January 28 with a matchup against college outfit Grand Canyon University. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT with live updates available via @SKCMatchday on Twitter.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Portland Timbers
January 21, 2023 – Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Sporting Kansas City 0, Portland Timbers 1
Scoring Summary:
POR – Nathan Fogaca 45’
Sporting Kansas City Lineups
First 30’: Tim Melia (John Pulskamp 20’); Jacob Bartlett, Kortne Ford, Robert Voloder, Mo Abualnadi; Felipe Hernandez, Jake Davis, Cam Duke; Ozzie Cisneros, Yeison Mejia, Marinos Tzionis
Second 30’: John Pulskamp (Kendall McIntosh 40’); Kayden Pierre, Chris Rindov, Andreu Fontas, Ben Sweat; Danny Flores, Remi Walter, Roger Espinoza; Johnny Russell, Willy Agada, Daniel Salloi
