Recap: Sporting continues preseason with scrimmage against Columbus

Sporting Kansas City reached the halfway point of the team's six-game slate during the 2020 preseason, presented by Children’s Mercy, on Wednesday with a 2-0 loss to Columbus Crew SC at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Designated Players Gyasi Zardes and Pedro Santos provided first half goals for Columbus with Zardes opening the scoring in the game's first minute before Santos doubled the Crew lead with a penalty kick in the 43rd minute.

Sporting utilized 22 players in the friendly with a fully changed lineup entering the match in the 60th minute. The starting group's best scoring opportunity of the first half came in the 36th minute when 18-year-old midfielder Cameron Duke broke behind the Columbus backline and saw his tightly-angled shot pushed just past the far post by the Crew goalkeeper.

Fellow Sporting KC Academy product Gianluca Busio forced another save in the 48th minute and was amidst the action again in the 56th minute as Sporting countered on a 3-v-2 break. Johnny Russell's initial shot was saved but Busio kept the play alive in a goalmouth scramble that ended with a header from Wilson Harris narrowly directed off frame.

Sporting KC II goalkeeper John Pulskamp made a diving save to his left in his final minute of action, before Sporting's second shift entered for the final 30 minutes.  Luis Martins' delivered a pinpoint cross from the left flank that connected with newcomer Gadi Kinda, however his header carried just over the crossbar in the 72nd minute.

On the opposite end, Richard Sanchez made a strong 1-v-1 save in the 89th minute - followed by a goalmouth clearance from Roberto Puncec - as the spirited scrimmage drew to a close.

Sporting KC will conclude the 2020 preseason with three games in the Visit Tucson Sun Cup. All three matches will be streamed live on SportingKC.com, beginning with a match-up against Real Salt Lake at 5 p.m. CT on Saturday at Kino North Stadium in Tucson. 

Sporting Kansas City vs. Columbus Crew SC
2020 Preseason presented by Children's Mercy
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (11:30 a.m. MT)
Grande Sports World (Casa Grande, Arizona)

Scoring Summary:
CLB - Gyasi Zardes (unassisted) 1'
CLB - Pedro Santos (penalty kick) 43'

Sporting Kansas City Lineups (R-L)

First 60 Minutes: John Pulskamp; Jaylin Lindsey, Graham Smith, Botond Barath, Amadou Dia; Camden Riley, Gianluca Busio, Cameron Duke; Johnny Russell, Wilson Harris, Tucker Lepley

Under contract with Sporting KC II
Member of Sporting KC Academy

Final 30 Minutes: Richard Sanchez; Graham Zusi, Roberto Puncec, Matt Besler, Luis Martins; Ilie Sanchez, Roger Espinoza, Gadi Kinda; Khiry Shelton, Alan Pulido, Daniel Salloi

Sporting KC 2020 Preseason Schedule