Recap: Ozzie Cisneros scores first professional goal as Sporting II falls 2-1 to Louisville City FC

Sporting Kansas City II (3-8-5, 14 points) fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat at table-topping Louisville City FC (9-3-3, 30 points) at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday night. After falling behind to two quick-fire goals at the start of the second half, Sporting KC Homegrown player Ozzie Cisneros scored his first professional goal in the 89th minute to set up a frantic finale that ultimately ended in defeat.

After a lively opening without many clear-cut chances, it was Louisville that threatened first in the 21st minute as Brian Ownby snuck in behind the SKC II backline but saw his lobbed effort fly high and wide of the target. Two minutes later, Sporting II winger Rojay Smith cut inside on his right foot and let fly from distance, forcing a decent save from Parker Siegfried.

SKC II top scorer Enoch Mushagalusa saw a shot blocked after being found by Jamil Roberts while Ownby spurned another glorious opening for Louisville as he skied a first-time effort from 12 yards out as the half came to a close.

Louisville made what would turn out to be an inspired substation at halftime as Jorge Gonzalez replaced Antoine Hoppenot, and 52 seconds after coming on, Gonzalez found his first of the season. Ownby was the creator as his ball into the area was slammed into the corner by Gonzalez, giving the visitors the lead.

Ten minutes later, Louisville City doubled their lead. Ownby was once again the orchestrator, sending in a sumptuous cross from the right wing that was met at the near post by Benedictine College product Kyle Greig as he converted his fifth goal of the season.

Louisville had chances to add to their lead and would have done so if not from some heroic defending from Graham Smith and Danny Barbir at times, while Sporting II almost pulled a goal back when Mushagalusa’s volley from a tight angle was cleared off the line.

In the 89th minute, two minutes after entering the game, Sporting KC Homegrown midfielder Ozzie Cisneros found the back of the net for his first-ever professional goal. Mushagalusa beat his man down the right wing and expertly picked out Cisneros in the middle of the penalty area, and the 17-year-old slammed the ball into the roof of the net to cut the deficit to one – which is how the game would finish.

Sporting II are back in action this weekend when the team plays host to Memphis 901 FC at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

2021 USL Championship | Match 16
Children's Mercy Park | Kansas City, Kansas
Weather: 93 degrees and sunny

Sporting Kansas City II: John Pulskamp; Kayden Pierre, Graham Smith, Danny Barbir, Isaiah LeFlore; Petar Cuic (Jahon Rad 64’), Christian Duke (C) (Ozzie Cisneros 87’), Jake Davis (Jayvin Van Deventer 72’); Jamil Roberts, Enoch Mushgalusa, Rojay Smith (Coby Jones 64’)
Subs Not Used: Remi Prieur, Matt Constant, Aljaz Dzankic

Louisville City FC: Parker Siegfried; Pat McMahon, Sean Totsch, Wesley Charpie, Jonathan Gomez; Paolo DelPiccolo (C) (Napo Matsoso 70’), Tyler Gibson, Niall McCabe (Corben Bone 32’); Brian Ownby (Jimmy McLaughlin 70’), Kyle Greig, Antoine Hoppenot (Jorge Gonzalez 46’)
Subs Not Used: Chris Hubbard, Akil Watts, Josh Wynder

Scoring Summary:
LOU – Jorge Gonzalez 1 (Brian Ownby 5) 46’
LOU – Kyle Greig 5 (Brian Ownby 6) 56’
SKC – Ozzie Cisneros 1 (Enoch Mushagalusa 2) 89’

Misconduct Summary:
LOU – Tyler Gibson (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 6’
SKC – Christian Duke (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 53’
LOU – Pat McMahon (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 72’
LOU – Jonathan Gomez (Yellow Card; Time Wasting) 93+
SKC – Enoch Mushagalusa (Yellow Card; Dissent) 94+

Referee: Kevin Broadley
Assistant Referee: Truman Berghall
Assistant Referee: Esad Omanovic
Fourth Official: Luis Tribaldo