Sporting Kansas City midfielder Gadi Kinda earned his first career start for the Israeli Men's National Team on Wednesday, playing 62 minutes in a 4-0 friendly loss to European powerhouse Portugal at Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal.
Kinda went head-to-head for over an hour against a star-studded Portuguese side that used a brace from Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes and additional goals from world superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester City wing back Joao Cancelo to secure the victory.
Four days after marking his Israel debut with a sensational long-range strike in a 3-1 friendly win at Montenegro, Kinda was named in head coach Willibald Ruttensteiner starting lineup for a game that served as Portugal's final tuneup for UEFA Euro 2020. His best moment came in the first minute of the second half when he burst into the attacking third by shrugging off Ronaldo's challenge and sending him to the turf.
Kinda exited the contest with Israel trailing 2-0. Portugal struck in the 42nd, 44th, 86th and 91st minutes despite a spirited effort from the outmatched visitors.
Kinda will now begin his travels back to Kansas City ahead of Saturday's MLS battle between Sporting and expansion side Austin FC at Children's Mercy Park. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. CT and tickets for the showdown are available at SeatGeek.com.
Fans can also catch the lone MLS matchup of the weekend on Bally Sports Kansas City Plus, Bally Sports Midwest Plus, BallySports.com, the Bally Sports app, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM.
