Sporting KC II (7-10-2, 23 points) returns to Swope Soccer Village, Children's Mercy Victory Field for an MLS NEXT Pro regular season match with Timbers2. Kickoff for the contest is set for 5 p.m. CT on Sunday and it can be streamed for free at MLSNEXTPro.com.
The two Western Conference clubs met once this year, back on May 15 in Hillsboro Oregon. After Timbers2 took the one-goal lead, Julian Vazquez leveled the game at one apiece in the 73rd after a turnover in the midfield. SKC II would grab the winner in the dying moments of the match while playing down a man, holding on to win 2-1 over Timbers2.
SKC II finds themselves in the midst of a four-match losing streak and has been unable to find the back of the net in those four contests. Their previous three defeats have come against three of the top four teams in the West.
Vazquez has continued his goal-scoring form after finding the tying goal against Portland, netting four goals for SKC II throughout the season, the second most on the team. The assist on his goal came from forward Rauf Salifu who leads SKC II with six goals. The duo has combined to provide SKC II with 14 goal contributions, but have been held quiet in the previous four matches.
Portland has struggled as of late as well. Their one win in the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season came back on June 19 in a 2-1 defeat of Houston Dynamo 2. On the road, Timbers2 has yet to win a game and earned just one result.
The SKC II defense will look to keep Timbers2 down. Jahon Rad has been a mainstay on the SKC II backline starting 16 of 17 appearances for 1421 minutes. Cole McLagan who turned 24 on Thursday has also been a focal point for SKC II's defense. He leads all defenders with two goals, both of which being game-winning goals.
The goalkeeper position has seen a wide cast of characters for SKC II. Ethan Bandre, an MLS NEXT Pro contracted player set the season-high in saves last match, making nine of them against Houston. First-team loanees Kendall McIntosh and John Pulskamp have appeared the most for SKC II this season, but Pulskmap has taken on first-team duties recently.
Swope Soccer Village will play the backdrop for Sunday's showdown. SKC II lost their only showing at the venue earlier this year and will play two more matches there following Sunday's.
Match Information:
MLS NEXT Pro: Match 20
Date: Sunday, August 14, 2022
Kickoff: 5 p.m. CT
Location: Children's Mercy Victory Field (Kansas City, MO)
Live Stream: mlsnextpro.com
Sporting Kansas City II: 7-10-2, 23 points
Timbers2: 1-14-3, 9 points
SOCIAL TAGS:
Match-specific hashtag:r #SKCvPOR
Twitter: @SportingKCII
Instagram: @SportingKCII
Twitter: TimbersFC2
Instagram: TimbersFC2
