KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City II suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday afternoon at Children's Mercy Victory Field. Maouloune Goumballe scored his third goal of the season, assisted by Blaine Mabie, but Houston secured the win with two unanswered goals.

Interim head coach Ike Opara started Jacob Molinaro in goal, with a back three of Ian James, Pierre Lurot, and captain Nati Clarke. The midfield included Mabie and Shane Donovan, while Zane Wantland made his first professional start out wide alongside Anthony Samways. Carter Derksen played as attacking midfielder, with Goumballe and Medgy Alexandre up front.

The match began with early chances for Sporting KC II. In the 10th minute, Lurot received a yellow card for a foul in the defensive third. Houston took advantage soon after when Erik Duenas set up Mattheo Dimareli to open the scoring in the 12th minute.

Sporting KC II responded in the 24th minute. "First, James threw his body in front of the ball and won it back cleanly near a threatening area. Then Mabie launched a perfect pass over the top to Goumballe. Finally, the forward settled the ball, dashed for the goal, rounded the keeper and buried his shot to even the score at one apiece."

Both teams had opportunities before halftime. After a cooling break due to high temperatures, play resumed without major injuries following a collision between Lurot and Josh Bolma. Just before halftime stoppage time, Mabie attempted a long-range shot that was saved by Pedro Cruz.

Houston regained the lead immediately after halftime through Lionel Gitau’s tap-in finish. Seven minutes later, Juan Viveros headed in from a corner kick to extend Houston's advantage.

Opara made several substitutions throughout the second half as Sporting KC II looked for ways back into the game. The team created chances late on; their best opportunity came when Johann Ortiz delivered a corner that Lurot headed just wide of goal in stoppage time.

Houston Dynamo 2 claimed all three points at full time. Sporting KC II will travel next week to face St. Louis CITY2 at Energizer Park.

The referee for this match was Nick Karnovsky.

Sporting Kansas City II’s record now stands at 2-15-4 (11 points), while Houston Dynamo 2 improved to 7-10-5 (29 points).