A host of local Kansas City media members took part in the 2019 Sporting KC Media Game at halftime of Saturday’s match against FC Dallas at Children’s Mercy Park. The two sides shared the spoils following a 1-1 draw between Team Officer and Team Welniak, led by FOX4’s Marcus Officer and KCTV5’s Dani Welniak.
After a dominant start by Team Welniak, it was Team Officer that took the lead against the run of play when former Wizards midfielder and number one pick at the recent Media Game Draft, Diego Gutierrez – now at ESPN Deportes KC – swept home off an excellent assist from FOX4’s Rob Collins.
Undeterred, Team Welniak clawed their way back into the game and continued to create chances, eventually finding an equalizer through Last Word on Soccer’s Shaun Goodwin. After the ball ricocheted around the area, KMCB9’s Alan Shope knocked the ball into the path of Goodwin who rifled the ball into the corner with aplomb.
Both sides went searching for a winner as Jillian Carroll of 610 Sports Radio sent a long-distance effort narrowly over the bar, before Collins’ low cross with just seconds remaining was expertly diverted away by a back-tracking Welniak.
2019 Sporting KC Media Game
Team Officer 1-1 Team Welniak
Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, KS
Attendance: 18,736
Weather: 95 degrees and sunny
Team Officer: Julio Ayala, Mick Shaffer, Brandon Kiley, Steven Albritton, Marcus Officer (C), Harold Kuntz, Ivani Bing, Shawn Roney, Nick Vasos, Dave Borchardt, William Joy, Abby Eden, Robert Rusert, Chris “Playmaker” Stimpson, Diego Gutierrez, Rob Collins
Team Welniak: Josh Brisco, Dani Welniak (C), Ellen McNamara, Emily Sinovic, Sean Kosednar, Belinda Post, Jed Marshall, Daniel Sperry, Shaun Goodwin, Cody Bradley, Jillian Carroll, Walfri Rodas, Alan Shope, Kelli Taylor, Jimmy Mack
Scoring Summary:
OFF – Diego Gutierrez (Rob Collins) 3’
WEL – Shaun Goodwin (Alan Shope) 4’
Misconduct Summary:
None
Referee: Hartzell Gray
