Sporting Kansas City reserves defeated the Kansas City Brass 4-0 today in an exhibition match at the Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park. Luke Sassano and Soony Saad opened the scoring with goals in the first half followed by a second-half brace from rookie Dom Dwyer to power Sporting past the local Premier Development League side.
Sassano put Sporting Kansas City ahead within the first five minutes of the match. Defender Kevin Ellis made an attacking run down the right flank before crossing to Sassano, whose first-touch strike found the roof of the net.
Winger Korede Aiyegbusi suffered a minor injury moments later, and was replaced by Soony Saad, who immediately helped ignite Sporting Kansas City’s attack. Saad doubled his team’s lead late in the first half with a low, hard shot from just outside the box.
The Kansas City Brass were limited in scoring chances in the opening 45 minutes, but missed a golden opportunity just before halftime. Forward Jordan Green escaped Sporting Kansas City’s defense and broke away towards goal, but homegrown goalkeeper Jon Kempin produced a brilliant save to maintain the clean sheet.
Sporting Kansas City made its second substitution after the break, as Supplemental Draft pick Kyle Miller replaced Peterson Joseph in the midfield.
The front three of Saad, Jacob Peterson and Dom Dwyer looked increasingly dangerous on the ball, creating a number of chances in the second half. At the hour mark, Dwyer made an aggressive run into the box and was fouled, earning Sporting Kansas City a penalty kick. Dwyer placed his penalty into the bottom left corner, giving his team a 3-0 lead.
Sporting Kansas City spurned a number of chances in the following moments. Ellis continued his attacking runs down the right wing and produced a series of teasing crosses. Saad and defender Konrad Warzycha came closest to scoring; Saad was denied by the post and Warzycha fired into the outside-netting.
Dwyer scored his second and Sporing Kansas City’s fourth with ten minutes remaining. Peterson cut inside from the left wing and found Sassano at the top of the box. Sassano’s through ball reached Dwyer, who chipped over the keeper from six yards out.
Sporting Kansas City continued pressing forward in the final moments of the match. Dwyer thought he had scored a hat trick, but was ruled offside as he fired his shot into the net. Miller nearly scored Sporting Kansas City’s fifth, but Brass goalkeeper Shane Van Hooser made an impressive save.
Wednesday's friendly featured five former Sporting Kansas City Juniors players in action for the KC Brass with Peter Nechvatal, Michael Oakley, Paul Oliver, Cole Prather and Van Hooser all on the field. Conversely, Miller, Ellis and Michael Thomas each played for the KC Brass previously in their careers.
The Sporting Kansas City reserves will continue the MLS Reserve League on Saturday, June 9 at Colorado.
Sporting KC Reserves
– Jon Kempin; Michael Harrington, Michael Thomas, Konrad Warzycha, Kevin Ellis; Peterson Joseph (Kyle Miller), Lawrence Olum, Luke Sassano; Korede Aiyegbusi (Soony Saad), Dom Dwyer, Jacob Peterson
Kansas City Brass
-- Alex Drambour (Shane Van Hooser); Taylor Bowlin, Peter Nechvatal (Ryan Hennessy), Michael Oakley, Jack O'Connor; Nick McDonald (Thyago Catharino, Troy Green), Paul Oliver (Ruben Perez), Cole Prather (Ryan Robinson), Matt McDevitt; Kyle Greig (Fabio Piore), Jordan Green.
Goals by Period |
1 |
2 |
F |
Sporting Kansas City |
2 |
2 |
4 |
Kansas City Brass |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Scoring Summary
SKC – Luke Sassano (Kevin Ellis)
SKC – Soony Saad (Lawrence Olum)
SKC – Dom Dwyer (penalty kick)
SKC – Dom Dwyer (Luke Sassano)
