Recap: Sporting KC II picks up a point in fourth consecutive result but suffers a 5-4 defeat in penalties to Whitecaps FC 2

Sporting KC II (4-4-2, 14 points) earned their fourth straight result after drawing 1-1 with Whitecaps FC 2 (4-2-4, 18 points) before losing 5-4 in penalties at Rock Chalk Park. Thanks to the MLS NEXT Pro rules, SKC II will take a point away from the match, but WFC2 claims an additional point for winning the shootout.

First-team loanee Jake Davis came off the bench and scored his first MLS NEXT Pro goal to draw SKC II level in the 82nd minute. Fellow first-teamer Kendall McIntosh picked up his third straight result, making four clutch saves in the match. Sporting KC II captain Collin Fernandez added an assist in the match, giving him three on the season.

The action got started early with midfielder Cade Thomson firing a shot on target off a corner kick. Thomson fizzed the shot at the net from just outside the box and forced WFC2 keeper Issac Boehmer into a tough, full-extension save. Two minutes later, on the other side of the field, McIntosh made his first save of the day, backpedaling in front of his goal, and sliding in to block the shot on the back post.

Winger Julian Vazquez, who missed the previous two SKC II matches after being called up on short-term loans to the Sporting Kansas City first team, put an attempt on target causing Boehmer to make his second save in the first 10 minutes of the match.

The match began to slow as both teams were feeling each other out. In the 26th Thomson had another look at goal blocked, springing a WFC2 counter. The visitors appeared to be in but defender Jahon Rad stepped up and slammed the door on the attack. With halftime approaching Filip Rakic headed a shot past McIntosh's post and Vazquez nearly fired SKC II out in front if wasn't for the extended right foot of Boehmer. The first half came to a close with SKC II firing three consecutive corners into the area, all cleared by Whitecaps FC 2's backline.

Much like the first half, SKC II came out the more aggressive of the two sides. Mikey Lenis, who signed his first professional contract with SKC II on Thursday, hit a wicked, bending shot on target that Boehmer got a paw on at the last second. McIntosh matched Boehmer with a more routine save, slapping a shot down and collecting the scraps.

In the 51st the away side grabbed a one-goal advantage off a Simon Becher, curling effort from inside the 18-yard-box. SKC II has done very well earning points from a losing position this season with today no different. In the 54th Fernandez tried to slot in Guy Michaeli but his through-ball ran a tad too fast. Fernandez then put a shot just over the top of the crossbar four minutes later. McIntosh made another routine save and head coach Benny Feilhaber went to his bench and brought on the would-be goalscorer Jake Davis.

Tj Fatah entered the contest with Davis and made an instant impact, placing three dangerous balls in the area that all nearly resulted in the equalizer but were snuffed out by various WFC2 defenders. Whitecaps FC 2 almost doubled their lead, dumping bodies forward at an outnumbered SKC II back three of Coby Jones, Lenis and Rad. The trio stood their ground and only allowed Vancouver to put a shot off target.

In the 71st Esai Easley barely missed the equalizer, receiving an inch-perfect restart from Davis and redirecting the head into the outside of the goal. After yet another McIntosh save from point-blank range in the 77th, Davis finally netted the equalizer. The former Sporting KC Academy player broke from his man in the box, got into the right spot and headed a Fernandez cross across the face of goal and past Boehmer.

The final, lethal, nerve-racking attempt of regulation saw Vancouver ping a set-piece off the post. A WFC2 player got behind the backline, without the offside flag going up and was put off by a bevy of desperate SKC II defenders. The score remained tied after stoppage time and both teams were given a point. Vancouver earned an extra point, winning in penalties 5-4 after converting all of their kicks from the spot.

SKC II will be back in action on Saturday, June 4 against MNUFC 2 at Rock Chalk Park. They wrap up a successful month of May with a 3-1-1 record and will look to keep their results streak alive in front of the home crowd. Fans can purchase tickets to all SKC II matches at SeatGeek.com.

2022 MLS NEXT Pro | Match 10
Rock Chalk Park | Lawrence, Kansas
Weather: 81 degrees and partly cloudy

Sporting Kansas City II: Kendall McIntosh; Mikey Lenis, Jahon Rad, Esai Easley (Cole McLagan 76'), Coby Jones (Kaveh Rad 76'); Curtez Kellman (Jake Davis 62'), Collin Fernandez, Cade Thomson (TJ Fatah 62'); Mataeo Bunbury (Josh Coan 90'), Guy Michaeli, Julian Vazquez
Subs Not Used: Ethan Bandre, Spencer Glass, Nico Pendleton, Rauf Salifu

Whitecaps FC 2: Isaac Boehmer; Simone Masi Cristian Campagna, Luis Martins (Jay Joshua Herdman 60'); Elage (Joshue Ndakala 86'), Caio Alexandre (Luis Felipe Fernandez Salvador 60'), Vasco Fry, Gio Aguilar (Robert Antoniukv 74'), Mattaeo Campagna; Filip Rakic (Emiliano Brienza 86'), Simon Becher
Subs Not Used: Ben Alexander, Harrison Gough, Joe Hanson Finn Linder

Scoring Summary:
VAN - Simon Becher (Elage) 51'
SKC - Jake Davis (Collin Fernandez) 82'

Penalty Kick Summary:
SKC - Cole McLagan (miss)*
VAN -* Luis Felipe Fernandez Salvador (converted)
SKC - Julian Vazquez (converted)*
VAN -* Robert Antoniuk (converted)
SKC - Guy Michaeli (converted)*
VAN -* Simon Becher (converted)
SKC - Kaveh Rad (converted)*
VAN -* Emiliano Brienza (converted)
SKC - TJ Fatah (converted)*
VAN -* Vasco Fry (converted)

Misconduct Summary:
SKC - Curtez Kellman (yellow card; unsporting conduct) 17'
SKC - Jahon Rad (yellow card; delaying a restart) 48'
SKC - Julian Vazquez (yellow card; unsporting conduct) 80'
SKC - Mikey Lenis (yellow card; unsporting conduct) 85'
SKC - TJ Fatah (yellow card; unsporting conduct) 90'
VAN - Robert Antoniuk (yellow card; unsporting conduct) 90+5'

Referee: Elton Garcia
Assistant Referee: Justin Mack
Assistant Referee: AJ Franklin
Fourth Official: Drew Klemp