Sporting Kansas City’s penultimate match of the 2022 preseason, presented by Children’s Mercy ended in a 2-1 defeat against Phenix Rising FC on Saturday at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona.
Sporting nearly grabbed the early lead in the first minute of play as Khiry Shelton was played in on goal by a perfect Daniel Salloi through ball. Shelton’s attempt to tuck the ball in the near post was denied by the Phoenix Rising goalkeeper, who would be called into action more than once on the day.
A little over 10-minutes later Salloi was on the receiving end of a perfect entry pass, this time off the foot of Sporting’s new left-back Logan Ndenbe. Ndenbe dinked the ball over the top of the Phoenix backline for Salloi to run onto it. The Hungarian international dashed for the box and perfectly placed the ball into the far corner, giving Sporting the 1-0 advantage.
Soon after that, Sporting KC II’s newest striker, Rauf Salifu made his first appearance of the preseason, subbing on for Khiry Shelton in the 17th minute. The Ghanaian forward made an instant impact when he fired a shot on goal that was deflected away to Andreu Fontas. Sporting’s 2021 defender of the year ripped a shot destined for goal that was blocked away at the last second by a Phoenix defender. Salifu’s day came to a quick end with Ozzie Cisneros subbing on for him in the 26th.
Phoenix equalized in the 28th when Santi Moar redirected a cross at the penalty spot into the back of the net.
Tim Melia made a pair of nice saves in the 40th minute. The first was a denial of a headed free kick on the near post, and the second came on the ensuing corner as he fell to his left to corral a shot through traffic. Halftime came with the score even at one.
Sporting’s first big chance of the second half came off a Johnny Russell corner ball that connected with Fontas’ head but drifted just high and wide of the far post.
Russell would get involved in the action again as he and Ndenbe combined for the perfect one-two, give and go on the left sideline. Ndenbe teed the ball up for Cam Duke at the spot, but the academy product’s shot was denied by a Phoenix defender. Russell followed that run of play up with a free kick that hammered off the post and cleared over the line by Phoenix.
Sporting made a slew of substitutions bringing on an entirely new squad to see the match out. John Pulskamp made a fantastic save in the 72nd minute, denying a Phoenix player at point-blank range. Phoenix would grab the lead with a converted penalty kick by Arturo Rodriguez in the 81st.
Sporting KC Academy product, and U.S. Men’s Youth International, Jayvin Van Deventer nearly evened the score with an ambitious long-range strike, but his effort was denied by the fingertips of the Phoenix Rising goalkeeper. Phoenix would hold on and win 2-1.
Sporting will travel to Austin, Texas for their preseason finale with Toronto FC on Saturday, Feb. 19. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT. Following that, Sporting’s 2022 MLS regular season begins on Feb. 27 at Atlanta United on FS1. Kickoff for the regular season opener is set for 2 p.m. CT.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Phoenix Rising FC
Feb. 12, 2022 – Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Chandler, Ariz.)
Sporting Kansas City 1, Phoenix Rising 2
Scoring Summary:
SKC -- Salloi 12’
PHX -- Moar 28’
PHX -- Rodriguez (penalty kick) 81’
Sporting Kansas City Lineups
First 60 Min: Tim Melia; Graham Zusi, Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, Andreu Fontas, Logan Ndenbe; Uri Rosell, Roger Espinoza, Cam Duke; Johnny Russell, Khiry Shelton (Rauf Salifu 17’) (Ozzie Cisneros 26’), Daniel Salloi
Final 30 Min: John Pulskamp; Kayden Pierre, Kortne Ford, Robert Voloder, Ben Sweat; Kaveh Rad, Jake Davis, Jayvin Van Deventer^^; Ozzie Cisneros, Rauf Salifu^, Spencer Glass^
^ Sporting KC II player
^^ Sporting KC Academy Player
Sporting Kansas City Preseason Schedule & Results
- Saturday, Jan. 29 | T 0-0 vs. Colorado Rapids
- Thursday, Feb. 3 | T 2-2 vs. Portland Timbers
- Saturday, Feb. 12 | L 2-1 vs. Phoenix Rising FC
- Saturday, Feb. 19 | 3 p.m. CT | vs. Toronto FC
