Sporting Kansas City began their 2020 preseason slate with a 4-0 victory over a group of Phoenix Rising FC trialists at Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday morning. The game was split into three 30-minute periods, with Sporting fielding a new-look lineup at the start of each stanza.
Sporting took the lead in the 23rd minute when Luis Martins’ low cross was gathered by Alan Pulido with his back to goal, and the newly signed Mexican striker laid the ball off to Daniel Salloi who swept his finish into the bottom corner to make the score 1-0.
Gianluca Busio doubled the lead midway through the second period, forcing home a loose ball that just crossed the line following a goalmouth scramble generated by good work from Gerso Fernandes on the left wing.
Busio added to his tally in the 50th minute, curling home a sumptuous first-time strike from the edge of the area after being found by fellow Academy product Tyler Freeman, making the score 3-0.
Sporting completed the scoring in the 70th minute, as Sporting KC II’s top scorer from 2019 Wilson Harris got in on the act with a deft finish from recent MLS SuperDraft selection James Kasak’s cross.
Sporting KC returns to preseason action next Saturday, February 1 when the side takes on MLS side FC Cincinnati at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Arizona.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Phoenix Rising FC Trialists
January 25, 2020 – Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex (Tempe, Ariz.)
Sporting Kansas City 4,Phoenix Rising FC Trialists 0
Scoring Summary:
SKC – Daniel Salloi (Alan Pulido) 23’
SKC – Gianluca Busio (Unassisted) 43’
SKC – Gianluca Busio (Tyler Freeman) 50’
SKC – Wilson Harris (James Kasak) 70’
Sporting Kansas City Lineups
First Period: Tim Melia; Graham Zusi, Roberto Puncec, Matt Besler, Luis Martins; Ilie Sanchez, Roger Espinoza, Felipe Gutierrez; Khiry Shelton, Alan Pulido, Daniel Salloi
Second Period: Richard Sanchez; Jaylin Lindsey, Graham Smith, Botond Barath, Amadou Dia; Camden Riley, Tyler Freeman, Gianluca Busio; Felipe Hernandez, Erik Hurtado, Gerso Fernandes
Third Period: John Pulskamp; Cameron Duke, Graham Smith, Kaveh Rad, James Kasak; Camden Riley, Tucker Lepley, Jake Davis; Jaret Townsend, Wilson Harris, Wan Kuzain
