Starting XI is a biweekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights 11 of the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City, MLS and soccer around the globe. Click here to visit the Starting XI archive.
1. Youngsters Shine
Sporting Kansas City came out with a bang on Sunday, scoring three goals in the first half and winding up with a 4-1 win over Minnesota United FC. Daniel Salloi opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a world-class strike from the top of the 18. Minnesota responded just two minutes later with a shot by Tyrone Mears.
In only his second club appearance, 19-year-old Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal scored a left-footed strike to put Sporting back on top 2-1. To top off the first half, Christian Lobato scored a toe poke just three minutes later. Diego Rubio then scored the dagger in the 81st minute to secure the win and first place in the Western Conference.
2. A pair of firsts
Sunday night marked a pair of firsts at Children's Mercy Park. This was the first time in club history that two Sporting KC Homegrown players scored in the same match, as Daniel Salloi and Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal found the back of the net. It was also the first regular season game in the Opta era that two Sporting KC substitutes scored goals from off the bench in the same game.
3. Kuzain Impresses
In only his second appearance for Sporting KC, midfielder Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal scored a left-footer against Minnesota on Sunday to become the second-youngest goal scorer in club regular season history. The 19-year-old midfielder scored just 17 minutes after entering the match for Yohan Croizet in the 18th minute. Kuzain finished with one goal from three shots, 31-of-32 passing at 97 percent completion and four recoveries.
4. Jaylin Lindsey makes MLS debut
Sporting KC history was made yet again on Sunday night as 18-year-old Homegrown defender Jaylin Lindsey made his Sporting KC debut at sold-out Children’s Mercy Park. Lindsey subbed in for Seth Sinovic in the 60th minute for his first game at the MLS level. Sporting KC signed Lindsey as a Homegrown Player in September 2017. The defender has featured for the Sporting KC U-16s and U-18s as well as the Swope park Rangers, making more than 25 appearances for the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team from 2016-2017.
Captain and center back Matt Besler logged his 240th regular season appearance for Sporting on Sunday, tying Davy Arnaud’s record for first place on Sporting KC’s all-time appearances chart. Besler would break the record with his 241st appearance on Saturday against the Portland Timbers.
6. Sporting KC visits RSL on Wednesday
After a quick turnaround from Sunday’s match, Sporting KC will hit the road for Wednesday’s matchup at Real Salt Lake. As champions of the 2017 U.S. Open Cup, Sporting KC looks to add another trophy with the Round of 32 match set to kick off at 9 p.m. CT at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.
7. Russell earns fifth Scotland cap
Sporting KC winger Johnny Russell earned his fifth cap for the Scotland Men’s National Team on Saturday night. Making his first international appearance since Oct. 11, 2015, the 28-year-old started and played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 friendly loss to Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Saturday’s loss concluded a two-game trip to the Americas for Scotland, meaning Russell will return to Sporting KC for the road match at Real Salt Lake for the fourth round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
8. Rangers fall in STL
The Swope Park Rangers fell 2-0 to Saint Louis FC on Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Fenton, Missouri. After a foul outside the edge of the penalty area, Corey Hertzog put Saint Louis FC ahead, snapping SPR’s 235-minute shutout streak over a span of four matches. The Rangers played the final 20 minutes a man down after Bryam Rebellon received his second caution of the night. The 2-0 result broke a six-game winless streak for St Louis FC, who will meet the Swope Park Rangers again on Sept. 15 for the third and final meeting between the two sides this season.
9. Academy unbeaten
Three Sporting KC Academy teams went undefeated this weekend at Swope Soccer Village with two victories and a tie. The U-19s defeated Real Colorado 3-0 after goals from Kaveh Rad, Ryan Fessler and Mason Visconti. The U-17s finished the regular season with a 5-2 victory after Michael Scavuzzo scored four goals and Gyuwon Chong recorded one tally. The U-15s tied Real Colorado 1-1, coming from behind after conceding a goal in the first eight minutes. Kaedon Anderson then scored the equalizer two minutes into the second half. The Sporting KC U-17s and U-19s have punched their tickets to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs, taking place June 18-24 at SoCal Sportsplex in Oceanside, California.
10. Besler Pro Camp set for June 16
Sporting KC defender Matt Besler will be holding a Pro Player Camp on Saturday, June 16, from 5-7:30 p.m. CT at Swope Soccer Village. This gives players the chance to train with Besler, participate in an intimate Q&A, plus get a picture and autograph with the Sporting KC Captain. This camp will include a professional and engaging environment, a 2018 Adidas Sporting KC Camp tee, and the chance to train at one of the best soccer facilities in the Midwest. Click here to register.
11. Vote for your MLS All-Stars!
With the new MLS App, you can now vote for any of your favorite MLS stars from your smartphone. From now until Friday, voting is exclusively in the free MLS app. Sporting KC has eight players in the running eligible for voting:
- Goalkeeper: Tim Melia
- Defenders: Matt Besler, Ike Opara and Graham Zusi
- Midfielders: Roger Espinoza and Ilie Sanchez
- Forwards: Johnny Russell and Daniel Salloi
Beginning Friday at 9 a.m. CT, fans can vote on MLSsoccer.com. The MLS All-Star coach will then select the gameday roster from the pool of eligible players determined by the media, fan voting, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s two selections. All voting ends on June 20. The 2018 MLS All-Star Game is on Aug. 1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
