Recap: Wilson Harris tallies as Sporting Kansas City II draws 1-1 with Indy Eleven

Sporting Kansas City II (3-12-6, 15 points) battled to an entertaining 1-1 draw with Indy Eleven (6-8-5, 23 pts.) at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday afternoon. Wilson Harris gave Sporting II a halftime lead before Jordan Hamilton leveled the score up shortly after the interval.

Sporting II started with nine first-team contracted players in the lineup in goalkeeper John Pulskamp, defenders Kayden Pierre, Kaveh Rad, Graham Smith and Amadou Dia, midfielder Jake Davis and forwards Grayson Barber and Wilson Harris.

Additionally, seven of the starters were products of the SKC Academy in Pierre, Rad, Davis, Barber and Harris, along with midfielders Jayvin Van Deventer and Christian Duke.

Indy were on the front foot early and threatened first in the eighth minute, as Peter-Lee Vassell’s low strike from inside the area was well corralled by Pulskamp in the SKC II goal.

Sporting II grew into the game as the half wore on, sending warning shots toward the Indy goal as Enoch Mushagalusa and Harris each fired wide from promising positions in the 30th and 38th minute, respectively.

Indy almost pulled level immediately as Jerry Gutjahr saw a volley deflect onto the roof of the just two minutes after SKC II had taken the lead.

Sporting II would rue missing the first chance of the second half when Mushagalusa’s low attempt was tipped around the post by Jordan Farr, as Indy would equalize three minutes later in the 51st minute.

Indy caused a turnover high up the field which allowed Nick Moon an open shot at Pulskamp who produced an excellent stop, only for the rebound to fall perfectly to Hamilton who slammed home his fifth goal of the campaign.

Hamilton should’ve put his side ahead in the 63rd minute after he was played clean through on goal, but he send his finish into the side-netting with only Pulskamp to beat.

The game seemed to be heading toward a dull conclusion only for two dramatic moments to emerge late on. First, Pulskamp produced a terrific stop to tip Manuel Arteaga’s volley onto the crossbar and out in the 89th minute, but the real story came from the final play of the game.

In the 94th minute, Indy countered and Moon sprung Gordon Wild in behind the SKC II backline. It was a two on two with only Pulskamp and Smith back for Sporting II, and Wild took Pulskamp out of the game by squaring to Jared Timmer who looked poised to win it for his side as he loaded up from inside the six-yard area with only Smith on the line. Incredibly, Smith was able to redirect the shot onto the post via his chest before also blocking the follow-up, with the final whistle sounding just seconds later.

Sporting II is back in action next weekend when the team takes on Memphis 901 FC at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday, Aug. 29. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

2021 USL Championship | Match 21
Children's Mercy Park | Kansas City, Kansas
Weather: 88 degrees and sunny

Sporting Kansas City II: John Pulskamp; Kayden Pierre, Kaveh Rad, Graham Smith, Amadou Dia; Jayvin Van Deventer (Jahon Rad 74’), Christian Duke (C), Jake Davis (Ozzie Cisneros 62’); Grayson Barber, Wilson Harris (Jamil Roberts 80’), Enoch Mushagalusa (Rojay Smith 62’)
Subs Not Used: Remi Prieur, Matt Constant, Isaiah LeFlore

Indy Eleven: Jordan Farr; Patrick Seagrist (Ayoze 82’), Karl Ouimette (C), AJ Cochran, Neveal Hackshaw; Jerry Gutjahr (Jared Timmer), Nicky Law, Gershon Koffie (Abu Sissoko 73’); Nick Moon, Jordan Hamilton (Manuel Arteaga 73’), Peter-Lee Vassell (Gordon Wild 60’)
Subs Not Used: Eric Dick, Rece Buckmaster

Scoring Summary:
SKC – Wilson Harris 2 (Kayden Pierre 2) 40’
IND – Jordan Hamilton 5 (Unassisted) 51’

Misconduct Summary:
IND – Jordan Hamilton (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 58’
SKC – Grayson Barber (Yellow Card; Dissent) 64’
IND – Patrick Seagrist (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 69’
SKC – Amadou Dia (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 88’

Referee: Greg Dopka
Assistant Referee: Ben Pilgrim
Assistant Referee: Drew Klemp
Fourth Official: Velimir Stefanovic