KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City II secured their first win of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season with a 3-1 victory over LAFC 2 at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, California, on Sunday night. The team, which had not recorded a win in its previous 16 matches this year, was led by goals from Maouloune Goumballe, Medgy Alexandre, and Cielo Tschantret.

This match marked the first victory for head coach Istvan Urbanyi since taking charge of SKC II. His starting lineup included Jacob Molinaro in goal and a defensive line of Anthony Samways, Pierre Lurot, Nati Clarke, and Beckham Uderitz. In midfield, Cielo Tschantret played as a defensive midfielder with Luis Cruz-Ayala and Carter Derksen ahead of him. The attacking trio featured Goumballe, Alexandre, and Shane Donovan.

Sporting KC II controlled much of the first half but faced early pressure from LAFC 2 when Sebastian Nava's effort narrowly missed the target. In the 12th minute, SKC II was awarded a penalty after Samways was fouled in the box; however, Medgy Alexandre’s attempt was saved by LAFC 2 goalkeeper Cabral Carter.

Jacob Molinaro made several key saves throughout the match to keep Sporting KC II ahead. Goumballe opened the scoring in the 34th minute after capitalizing on a poor clearance to give his team a one-goal lead. “Goumballe beats LAFC for the @SportingKCII opener,” according to MLS NEXT Pro.

LAFC 2 made four substitutions at halftime in an effort to get back into the game. Tommy Mihalic equalized for LAFC 2 in the 57th minute with his sixth goal of the season. The momentum shifted again when Sebastian Nava received a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the 63rd minute, forcing LAFC 2 to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.

Despite being down a player, LAFC 2 managed some opportunities before Sporting KC II regained control late in the game. In the 77th minute, Alexandre scored his third goal of the season after receiving a through ball from Bryan Arellano and finishing off the far post. “Off the post and in! Alexandre nets the second for @SportingKCII!” reported MLS NEXT Pro.

Cielo Tschantret sealed the result with an 84th-minute header off Shane Donovan’s corner kick delivery. “Tschantret put the game on ice in the 84th after a perfect delivery from Donovan on a near side corner,” noted MLS NEXT Pro.

The final score held at 3-1 as Sporting Kansas City II saw out their first win of 2025. They will next face Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Thursday, July 31 at Swangard Stadium.