Sporting KC continues its partnership with OKC Energy FC for the 2015 season, loaning midfielder Mikey Lopez to our USL affiliate. Additionally, homegrown goalkeeper Jon Kempin and rookie defender Saad Abdul-Salaam have been loaned to the San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League. Each week, we’ll recap the performances of the Sporting KC players in our Loan Lowdown series.
Following in the footsteps of Sporting Kansas City, Saad Abdul-Salaam and the San Antonio Scorpions received an equalizer in second half stoppage time to salvage an exciting 2-2 draw on Saturday night.
The defending North American Soccer League champions (0-2-1) secured their first point of the 2015 season as a late penalty kick from Rafael Castillo denied Minnesota United (0-1-2) three points in front of a franchise record crowd of 9,233 at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota.
Abdul-Salaam played the entire match at right back and has featured in every minute of San Antonio’s young NASL campaign.
In similar fashion to Abdul-Salaam’s parent club, the Scorpions grabbed an early lead then fell behind before rescuing a point at the death. With eight minues on the clock, midfielder Zourab Tsiskaridke spotted Minnesota United goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock off his line and blasted a remarkable 60-yard free kick into the net.
Minnesota scored their first goal of 2015 in the 34th minute when United States international midfielder Miguel Ibarra looped a cross into the penalty area. Pablo Campos rose and directed a header past Daryl Sattler—the goalkeeper starting in place of Sporting Kansas City’s Jon Kempin who was with the U.S. U-23’s at midweek.
Christian Ramirez converted from the penalty spot just before the hour mark to give Minnesota a 2-1 edge, but Castillo’s spot kick shortly before the final whistle split the points.
San Antonio stays on the road next Saturday for their inaugural match against expansion side Jacksonville Armada (1-0-2).
In Oklahoma City, meanwhile, midfielder Mikey Lopez earned his fourth start in as many matches as OKC Energy FC (2-1-1) suffered their first defeat of the 2015 USL season, 2-1, against expansion team St. Louis FC (2-2-1) at Taft Stadium.
Lopez played 56 minutes for Jimmy Nielsen’s side, who drew first blood in the 13th minute when Casey Townsend picked out Chuy Sanchez for a simple six-yard finish. However, Jamiel Hardware and Mike Ambersley struck twice before halftime, and the visitors would hold their 2-1 lead to the final whistle.
Up next for Energy FC is another expansion opponent as they travel to face the Austin Aztex (3-3-0) on Friday.
Mikey Lopez (OKC Energy FC)
2015 USL Stats
<strong>Games Played</strong> |
<strong>Minutes Played</strong> |
<strong>Goals</strong> |
<strong>Assists</strong> |
4 |
30 |
0 |
0 |
Jon Kempin (San Antonio Scorpions)
2015 NASL Stats
<strong>Games Played</strong> |
<strong>Minutes Played</strong> |
<strong>GA</strong> |
<strong>GAA</strong> |
<strong>Saves</strong> |
<strong>Shutouts</strong> |
2 |
180 |
5 |
2.50 |
5 |
0 |
Saad Abdul-Salaam (San Antonio Scorpions)
2015 NASL Stats
<strong>Games Played</strong> |
<strong>Minutes Played</strong> |
<strong>Goals</strong> |
<strong>Assists</strong> |
3 |
270 |
0 |
0 |
