Score 1 2 F
Sporting Kansas City 2 0 2
Rockhurst University 0 0 0
Sporting Kansas City: Jon Kempin; Korede Aiyegbusi (Kevin Ellis 69), Lawrence Olum, Cyprian Hedrick, Michael Harrington©; Konrad Warzycha, Luke Sassano, Soony Saad; Jacob Peterson (Kyle Miller 62), C.J. Sapong (Michael Thomas 36), Dom Dwyer
Rockhurst University: Ryan Bass (Eric Stanowski 8); Dan Frohock (Nick Caruso 30, Williams 46, Giacoletto 57, Sciore 79), George Skevington (John Merlo 30, Skevington 46), Joe Zang (Nick Caruso 72), Jon Schreiber; Paolo Scoppola (Jordan Giacoletto 30, Scoppola 46), Ruben Perez (Merlo 57, Perez 69, De Rossi 79), Sean Verbanic (Jake Grimes 30, Verbanic 46, Grimes 57), Nate Siesener (Justin Billmeyer 41, Siesener 46, Frohock 69, Gueye 84), Lucas De Rossi (Will Streck 67, Kyle Malie 79); Keith Williams (Oussie Gueye 30, Eric Moore 79)
Misconduct Summary:
RU – Lucas De Rossi (caution; reckless foul) 64
Scoring Summary:
KC – Luke Sassano (Michael Harrington, Soony Saad) 22
KC – Dom Dwyer (Luke Sassano) 34
Sporting Kansas City played inside their home stadium for the first time in 2012 on Tuesday, posting a 2-0 victory in an exhibition match against Rockhurst University at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Midfielder Luke Sassano led the way for Sporting with the game-winning goal in the 22nd minute before adding an assist on Dom Dwyer’s goal in the 34th minute.
Homegrown goalkeeper Jon Kempin posted the shutout in goal for Sporting Kansas City.
Sporting Kansas City opened the scoring midway through the first half to capitalize on a beautiful buildup that started with striker C.J. Sapong playing the ball out wide to Soony Saad on the left side of the field. The 19-year-old effectively switched the point of attack with a cross-field pass to Michael Harrington on the right flank. Sassano’s supporting run into the penalty area paid off upon receiving the trail from Harrington and putting his shot into the back of the net following a deflection off a Rockhurst defender.
The lead doubled a dozen minutes later as Dwyer rose above his Hawks’ counterpart to head home a cross from Sassano. The first round pick in this year’s MLS SuperDraft now has four goals in all competition for Sporting KC, following a hat trick against FC Tucson in the pre-season.
Following the match, Sporting Kansas City hosted a special event in the Members’ Club for 2012 Season Ticket Members to meet and greet Sporting Kansas City players and coaches. During the ceremony, Sapong was presented the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year trophy.
Sporting Kansas City will host the club’s home opener at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 17 against the New England Revolution at LSP. Less than 1,000 tickets are still available for the match and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or at the LIVESTRONG Sporting Park Box Offices.
