Sporting Kansas City continued the club's 2024 preseason schedule with a 5-0 victory over USL Championship side Miami FC on Saturday in a 120-minute scrimmage at FIU Soccer Stadium in University Park, Fla.
Willy Agada struck three times for a hat trick in addition to a goal from FIU alum Stephen Afrifa while Tim Melia and John Pulskamp combined for the clean sheet with 60 minutes apiece in net.
After a scoreless first 45 minutes, the game's opening goal arrived just 30 seconds after play had restarted and it came courtesy of an own goal from an errant backpass.
Afrifa, who starred at FIU Soccer Stadium before being selected by Sporting Kansas City in MLS SuperDraft 2023, doubled Sporting Kansas City's lead in the 65th minute with a run down the right side of the Miami FC defense before finishing from a tight angle for his second goal of the preseason.
Following a brief break after the normal 90 minutes of play, Sporting Kansas City would strike three times in the final half hour of Saturday's extended exhibition and all three goals came courtesy of the 24-year-old Agada.
The Nigerian forward converted a penalty in the 93rd minute after Alenis Vargas was taken down and then added another three minutes later, beating the Miami FC goalkeeper to a loose ball for a first-time finish. Agada would cap off the hat trick and close out the scoring with a penalty in the 118th minute after Marinos Tzionis was fouled inside the area.
With two weeks remaining until the start of Sporting Kansas City's 2024 season, Sporting will conclude the preseason campaign next weekend against fellow MLS foe Atlanta United FC with a closed-door friendly at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Barry University.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Miami FC
Feb. 10, 2024 – FIU Soccer Stadium (University Park, Fla.)
Sporting Kansas City 5, Miami FC 0
Scoring Summary:
SKC -- Own Goal 65'
SKC -- Stephen Afrifa (unassisted) 65'
SKC -- Willy Agada (penalty kick) 93'
SKC - Willy Agada (unassisted) 96'
SKC - Willy Agada (penalty kick) 118'
Sporting Kansas City Lineup (First 75 Minutes)
Tim Melia (John Pulskamp 61'); Jake Davis, Dany Rosero (Ian James 46'), Andreu Fontas, Zorhan Bassong (Tim Leibold 61'); Nemanja Radoja, Remi Walter, Erik Thommy; Johnny Russell (Alenis Vargas 61'), Alan Pulido (Willy Agada 61'), Stephen Afrifa
Sporting Kansas City Lineup (Final 45 Minutes)
John Pulskamp; Kayden Pierre, Robert Castellanos, Robert Voloder, Tim Leibold (Jonathan Robinson 113'); Jacob Bartlett, Felipe Hernandez (Danny Flores 113'), Memo Rodriguez; Marinos Tzionis, Willy Agada, Alenis Vargas
