Sporting Kansas City faced San Diego FC for the first time at home on Saturday, August 9. The match ended with a 2-0 win for San Diego FC at Children’s Mercy Park. Sporting KC started with a new lineup and a 4-4-2 formation.
The starting eleven included John Pulskamp, Logan Ndenbe (Jacob Bartlett, 50’), Jansen Miller, Robert Voloder, Khiry Shelton (Alan Montes, 86), Daniel Salloi, Jake Davis, Zorhan Bassong (Stephen Afrifa, 86), Shapi Suleymanov (Manu García, 64), Santiago Muñoz (Mason Toye, 64), and Dejan Joveljić. Substitutes were Ryan Schewe, Memo Rodríguez, Andrew Brody, and Nemanja Radoja.
The new formation gave Sporting some control in the first half. The team denied several early chances from San Diego FC. Defender Robert Voloder returned to the lineup and made a key tackle in the 18th minute. Despite this control of possession, San Diego took the lead in the 23rd minute when Hirving Lozano scored from outside the box.
Sporting created several chances through forward Shapi Suleymanov on the right wing. In the 27th minute Suleymanov connected with Joveljić for a shot that was saved by San Diego’s goalkeeper. Jake Davis got to the rebound and passed to Daniel Salloi whose shot went over the crossbar.
Two minutes later Suleymanov found space again and passed to Santiago Muñoz who narrowly missed scoring.
The match became more physical as both teams committed multiple fouls before halftime. Just before the break Zorhan Bassong headed outside the box and Voloder took another close shot which rebounded in the area but Salloi’s attempt went wide. At halftime San Diego led by one goal.
Sporting KC made several substitutions in the second half including Jacob Bartlett, Stephen Afrifa, Manu García, Mason Toye and Alan Montes who made his debut as central defender.
“Alan Montes makes his #SportingKC & @MLS debut,” Sporting Kansas City posted on social media.
Despite continued pressure from Joveljić and Salloi in attack during the second half, Sporting could not convert their opportunities into goals. San Diego scored their second goal in the 70th minute to secure victory.
Sporting Kansas City will next play against Orlando City SC at Inter & Co Stadium on Saturday. Fans can follow all action through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV or keep up with team news at es.sportingkc.com.
