After taking a point in the opening week of MLS NEXT Pro, Sporting Kansas City II is back for more as they face Minnesota United FC 2 at Allianz Field on Sunday, April 3rd at 1 p.m. CT as MLS NEXT Pro’s Game of the Week. As the Game of the Week, Sunday’s match, which will be available to stream at mlsnextpro.com will receive an enhanced broadcast.
Last Sunday SKC II, led by Benny Feilhaber and Ike Opara, fought the Colorado Rapids 2 to a 1-1 draw before suffering a 4-2 defeat in a penalty shootout. TJ Fatah scored his first professional goal in his debut appearance after coming on as a sub in the second half. Because Rapids 2 won the shootout, they earned two points from the match while SKC II claimed one point.
Sporting KC II had a hefty dose of Sporting KC Academy products in the squad last week. One of those Academy products was Kaveh Rad who provided leadership from the backline as one of the longest-tenured SKC II players. His center back partner, Aljaz Dzankic came up huge for SKC II on multiple occasions, making clutch tackles and clearances, as well as shutting down former SKC II player Dillon Serna throughout the entirety of the match.
Anchoring the SKC II back half was the lone Sporting KC first-team loanee, goalkeeper John Pulskamp. Pulskamp made five saves, including a wicked double save where he sprawled out to his left to deny the initial attempt, and then had the where with all to pounce on the next shot.
From the attacking standpoint, SKC II’s front man Rauf Salifu put the Rapids 2 backline under pressure constantly. He forced turnovers from the goalkeeper and nearly set up an early Bakary Bagayoko goal thanks to that high pressure. Julian Vazquez, who started his first SKC II match on the right wing, provided the assist for Fatah’s goal in the 71st after saving a loose ball from going out, firing a cross back across the face of goal and connecting with Fatah in the box.
Other highlights from SKC II’s inaugural MLS NEXT Pro match include team captain Collin Fernandez’s Panenka penalty make in the shootout, 2022 MLS SuperDraft first-round selection Esai Easley’s professional debut and penalty shootout make and the debut of Sporting KC Academy product and defender Matthew Fisher.
After taking away a point from that match, Sporting KC II is back on the road for their first-ever meeting with Minnesota United FC 2. MNUFC 2 opened their MLS NEXT Pro campaign with a 3-1 loss at North Texas SC.
MNUFC 2 leveled the match in the 64th off Justin McMaster’s goal after falling behind right before the end of the first half. McMaster collected his own rebound and put his second chance attempt past the keeper. North Texas would regain the lead and added an insurance goal before the final whistle.
MNUFC 2 head coach Cameron Knowles leads the Loons' second team into their first year of MLS NEXT Pro. Knowles spent time in charge of Portland Timbers 2 after a playing career that featured stops at Real Salt Lake, Portland Timbers and CF Montreal.
The gaffer’s roster includes players such as Fred Emmings, Minnesota United’s first Homegrown Player, Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota’s 2022 MLS SuperDraft first-round selection and Justin McMaster who made seven appearances for the Loons’ first team last season.
Sunday’s match presents two teams from the Frontier Division of the Western Conference still looking to find their footing in MLS NEXT Pro. Again, the match will be streamed as an enhanced broadcast on mlsnextpro.com as the MLS NEXT Pro Game of the Week.
Match Information:
MLS NEXT Pro: Match 2*
Date:* Sunday, April 3*
Kickoff:* 1 p.m. CT*
Location:* Allianz Field (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
Live Stream: mlsnextpro.com
Sporting Kansas City II: 0-0-1, 1 point*
MNUFC 2:* 0-1-0, 0 points
SOCIAL TAGS:
Match-specific hashtag: #MINvSKC
Twitter: @SportingKCII*
Instagram:* @SportingKCII
