Recap: Sporting KC eliminated from U.S. Open Cup

Sporting Kansas City was eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 32 following a 3-0 defeat to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field on Tuesday night.

Head coach Raphael Wicky made three changes from Saturday’s loss to San Jose, handing starts to Jansen Miller, Jake Davis and newcomer Capita Capemba with Ian James, Manu Garcia and Calvin Harris all dropping out for the club’s Open Cup opener.

The hosts started brightly and were the first to threaten in the third minute when Juan Tejada received the ball just inside the Sporting penalty area but dragged his powerful effort wide of the post. Five minutes later, Adrien Perez had a free header inside the area but directed it straight at John Pulskamp as the Switchbacks continued their positive start.

Colorado Springs made their solid start count in the 11^th minute when Juan Tejada gave the hosts the lead, slotting beyond Pulskamp after being found inside the area by Sadam Masereka.

It got better for the Switchbacks in when Masereka got onto the scoresheet himself, capitalizing on a mix-up on the left side of the Sporting backline to slot into the corner and double his side’s lead in the 31^st minute.

Sporting looked to get back into the game early in the second half as first Jake Davis and then halftime substitute Taylor Calheira had opportunities, but both failed to hit the target when well positioned in front of goal. Dejan Joveljic then went close in the 66^th minute when he met Ethan Bartlow’s cross but could only send his header straight at Christian Herrera in the Colorado Springs goal.

Sporting was reduced to 10 men in the 78^th minute when Shapi Suleymanov was shown a straight red card following a melee between the two teams after Shapi himself had been caught late by a rash challenge from Aidan Rocha.

Colorado Springs extended the lead in the 84^th minute as the team’s top scorer, Khori Bennett, made the most of another defensive miscue to bury a shot from close range and seal Sporting’s elimination from the U.S. Open Cup.

Sporting remains on the road this week as the team returns to MLS regular-season action with a trip to Supporters’ Shield leaders the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC place on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. CT on Apple TV, while the game will be available on the radio on Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM.

2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup | Round of 32
Weidner Field | Colorado Springs, CO
Attendance: 1,902
Weather: 56 degrees and partly cloudy

Sporting Kansas City: John Pulskamp; Justin Reynolds (Ethan Bartlow 46’), Jansen Miller, Diego Borges, Jayden Reid (Calvin Harris 46’); Jacob Bartlett (Stephen Afrifa 76’), Lasse Berg Johnsen, Jake Davis (Kwaku Agyabeng 62’); Shapi Suleymanov, Dejan Joveljic (C), Capita Capemba (Taylor Calheira 46’)

Subs Not Used: Jack Kortkamp, Ian James

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Christian Herrera; Aidan Rocha, Matt Mahoney (C), Garven Metusala, Isaiah Foster (Jonas Fjeldberg 82’); Frank Daroma (Sam Williams 63’), Brennan Creek, Adrien Perez (Khori Bennett 63’); Levonte Johnson (Yosuke Hanya 71’), Juan Tejada, Sadam Masereka (Patrick Burner 71’)

Subs Not Used: Colin Shutler, Talen Maples

Scoring Summary:
COS – Juan Tejada 1 (Sadam Masereka 1) 11’
COS – Sadam Masereka 2 (Unassisted) 31’
COS – Khori Bennett 2 (Unassisted) 84’

Misconduct Summary:
SKC – Capita Capemba (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 22’
SKC – Jake Davis (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 58’
SKC – Shapi Suleymanov (Red Card; Violent Conduct) 78’
COS – Aidan Rocha (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 79’
SKC – Ethan Bartlow (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 87’

Referee: Corbyn May
Assistant Referee: Savage Bennett
Assistant Referee: Matthew Schwartz
Fourth Official: Bowen Taylor