Recap: Sporting KC II rides to 8-0 preseason win over Baker University

Sporting Kansas City II continued their preseason campaign on Wednesday with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Baker University at Swope Soccer Village as six different players found the back of the net.

Head coach Paulo Nagamura's side opened the scoring in the 20th minute when 17-year-old Ozzie Cisneros, a freshly minted Homegrown Player for Sporting's first team, slipped a pass through to David Panka for a crisp strike into the corner. Less than a minute later, another MLS player made his mark as forward Wilson Harris nipped the ball away from a defender, rounded the Baker goalkeeper and calmly slotted home.

Sporting KC II added a third three minutes before halftime. Academy product Jake Davis whipped a corner kick into the mixer from the left side that first team center back Graham Smith glanced into the net, rounding out an impressive first half of action.

Nagamura made nine substitutions at intermission, but Sporting KC II had little problem picking up where they left off. With 50 minutes on the clock, Panka did well to beat his defender down the right wing and cut the ball back for 18-year-old Academy standout Bailey Sparks, whose right-footed effort upped the lead to 4-0.

Homegrown Player Tyler Freeman added to Sporting KC II's cushion in the 65th minute after fellow substitute Enoch Mushagalusa galloped goalward from the right channel and crossed low to the 18-year-old for a sliding finish at point-blank range.

Shortly thereafter, Academy player Nicholas Pendleton flicked a deft path to the boot of Ropapa Mensah, who unleashed a venomous blast high into the roof of the net. Mensah wasted little time powering his way to a hat-trick, pocketing two additional late goals on assists from Freeman and Sparks, respectively.

Sporting KC II will conclude their 2021 preseason on Saturday, hosting Rockhurst University at 4 p.m. CT. The matchup at Swope Soccer Village will be closed to the public and fans can follow @SportingKCII on Twitter for updates.

Sporting Kansas City II vs. Baker University
April 21, 2021 – Swope Soccer Village (Kansas City, Missouri)
Sporting Kansas City II 8, Baker University 0

Scoring Summary:
SKC – David Panka (Ozzie Cisneros) 20'
SKC – Wilson Harris (unassisted) 21’
SKC – Graham Smith (Jake Davis) 42’
SKC – Bailey Sparks (David Panka) 50'
SKC – Tyler Freeman (Enoch Mushagalusa) 65'
SKC – Ropapa Mensah (Nicholas Pendleton) 78'
SKC – Ropapa Mensah (Tyler Freeman) 80'
SKC – Ropapa Mensah (Bailey Sparks) 89'

Sporting Kansas City II Lineup
Max Trejo* (Tommy Williams* 46'); Kayden Pierre* (Michael Lenis* 46'), Aljaz Dzankic (Matt Constant^ 46'), Graham Smith* (Danny Barbir 46'), Christian Duke (Nati Clarke* 46'); Jayvin Van Deventer* (Jahon Rad 46'), Jake Davis (Nicholas Pendleton* 46'), Ozzie Cisneros (Bailey Sparks* 46'); Rojay Smith^^ (Tyler Freeman 60'), Wilson Harris* (Ropapa Mensah 46'), David Panka (Enoch Mushagalusa 60')

* Sporting KC player
** Sporting KC Academy player
^ Unsigned MLS SuperDraft Pick
^^ Trialist

Sporting KC II Preseason Schedule and Results