SKC II Recap: Sporting KC II opens 2024 season with a come-from-behind win at Houston Dynamo 2 

Sporting Kansas City II (1-0-0, 3 points) kicked off the 2024 season with an impressive comeback road win at Houston Dynamo 2 (0-0-1, 0 points) on Sunday night, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to take a 2-1 win. Multiple players made their professional debuts including goalkeeper and first-team loanee Ryan Schewe who also made a pair of massive saves. Newcomer Beto Avila netted the leveler in the 82nd and 2023 SKC II leading scorer Pau Vidal fired home the breakthrough five minutes later.

Head coach Benny Feilhaber, Sporting Kansas City's newest Sporting Legend, rolled out a starting XI with Schewe in goal. Fellow first-teamer Chris Rindov started alongside debutants Demarre Montoute and Jonathan Robinson on the backline with Nati Clarke appearing in his first match on a professional contract. Current SKC Academy midfielder Cielo Tschantret began the match with Ethan Bryant and Danny Flores ahead of him, while Avila Maouloune Goumballe and Sebastian Cruz started up top.

All three of the contest's goals came in the second half, however, both sides had opportunities in the first half snuffed out by the keepers. Schewe made his first pro save in the 17th, dropping down to secure a deflected shot against his chest in the middle of his net. The netminder was called upon again in the 26th after Robinson was shown a yellow card. The ensuing set piece was launched into the area, pinged around and fired goalward, where Schewe dove across the line to keep the ball out of the net. 

SKC II's two best opportunities of the first came in quick succession. The first came off the foot of Cruz and was snared by Xavier Valdez. The second was off a free kick from Bryant from long range which was turned aside as well. Neither side saw any more clear-cut chances.

The first half came to a close after a Diego Gonzalez yellow and scary collision between Montoute and Exon Arzu. Both players would be okay and were able to continue. The second half began with Vidal entering for Goumballe before the hosts jumped out to a one-goal lead. 

Arzu got in behind the backline off a counter-attack and opted to take the shot himself, tucking it into the far side of the goal. Dynamo Dos and Arzu remained on the attack with the forward running a tad behind a skipping cross in the area before winning a penalty in the 52nd. 

Gonzalez stepped up to the spot and hit a very solid attempt into Schewe's lower left corner but the rookie goalkeeper, with an incredible effort, smacked the shot aside with an outstretched left paw. In the next 10 minutes, Feilhaber would go to his bench four more times, shaking up the formation and changing the flow of the match. 

Rindov picked up a yellow card for a tactical foul at midfield and got a new defensive partner. In the 56th minute Ian James, a 15-year-old SKC Academy player made his professional debut, taking off Robinson. Two minutes later, 17-year-old Academy midfielder Johann Ortiz entered along with rookie Jake Swallen for Bryant and Flores. Montoute suffered a knock in the 52nd and was taken off by Roberto Hategan, making his SKC II debut. 

Houston looked to possess the ball and see the match out but a brilliant ball off a turnover forced by Ortiz put Vidal into the home side's 18. The striker opted for a one-time shot, whistling it wide of the mark. Cruz was given a yellow but that did not deter the winger who would set up the match leveler in the 82nd. 

After a sweet give-and-go into the attacking third with Tschantret, Cruz bashed a shot on target. Valdez parried it into the middle of the box and his former teammate Avila was there to punish the keeper with the equalizer into the back of the net.

Riding the confidence of that goal, SKC II kept their foot on the gas. A long run from Hategan into the box saw him hit a rocket at Valdez with his left foot. Again, the keeper slapped the shot back into play where Vidal was waiting to strike. After popping the ball up to himself with a touch he skimmed it off the turf and into the goal to give SKC II the late lead. 

Some super defending from Rindov and the rest of the defense kept Houston at bay as SKC II completed the comeback to take all three points on the road. The comeback marks the first time SKC II has won after trailing in the 75th minute in club history. 

The attention now turns to next Sunday and the team's home opener at Rock Chalk Park against Ventura County FC. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT and tickets are on sale at SeatGeek.com for just $10. Admission is free for kids under the age of 12. For those fans not in attendance the match can be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. 

Sporting Kansas City II: Ryan Schewe; Nati Clarke, Chris Rindov, Demarre Montoute (Roberto Hategan 62'), Jonathan Robinson (Ian James 56'); Cielo Tschantret, Ethan Bryant (Johann Ortiz 58'), Danny Flores (Jake Swallen 58'); Maouloune Goumballe (Pau Vidal 46'), Beto Avila, Sebastian Cruz
Subs Not Used: Carlito Saylon, Medgy Alexandre, Haris Alisah, Kamron Habibullah, Roberto Hategan

Houston Dynamo 2: Xavier Valdez; Obafemi Awodesu, Isaac Mwakutuya, Kieran Sargeant; Sebastian Rodriguez, Omar Bolanos (Zeke Soto 61'), Ousmane Sylla, Diego Gonzalez; Exon Arzu (Myles Gardner 90'), Stephen Annor (Ifunanyachi Achara 61'), Isaiah Reid (Omar Grey 61')
Subs Not Used: Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen, Mattheo Dimareli, Parker Jackson, David Nguemam, Ifeanyi Udanoh

Scoring Summary:

HOU – Exon Arzu 1 (unassisted) 48'
SKC – Beto Avila 1 (unassisted) 82'
SKC – Pau Vidal 1 (unassisted) 87'

Misconduct Summary:

SKC – Jonathan Robinson (yellow card; unsporting conduct) 28'
HOU – Diego Gonzalez (yellow card; unsporting conduct) 39'
SKC – Chris Rindov (yellow card; tactical foul) 55'
SKC – Sebastian Cruz (yellow card; unsporting conduct) 75'

Referee: Benjamin Meyer
Assistant Referee: James Norris
Assistant Referee: Jacobo Zuniga
Fourth Official: Melvin Rivas