KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City faced Orlando City SC at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday, August 16, in a match delayed by weather for three hours. The game, originally scheduled to start at 6:30 PM CT, began at 9:43 PM CT.

The Sporting KC lineup included John Pulskamp, Khiry Shelton, Robert Voloder, Jansen Miller (substituted by Alan Montes in the 81st minute), Tim Leibold (Nemanja Radoja, 58'), Shapi Suleymanov (Stephen Afrifa, 81'), Zorhan Bassong, Jake Davis, Santiago Muñoz (Jacob Bartlett, 68'), Dejan Joveljić, and Mason Toye (Daniel Salloi, 58'). The substitutes were Ryan Schewe, Memo Rodríguez, and Andrew Brody.

Sporting Kansas City played with a 4-4-2 formation. Interim coach Kerry Zavagnin started Mason Toye as the second forward alongside Dejan Joveljić. Both players created several scoring opportunities early in the match. Orlando City scored first in the second minute but Sporting responded with multiple chances during the first half.

Jake Davis and Zorhan Bassong formed a midfield partnership that helped open up play for Sporting while limiting Orlando’s opportunities. Bassong was named captain before the match and played a key role in the opening half.

Sporting equalized in the 25th minute after Davis set up Toye for a shot on goal; Joveljić finished the play to level the score. The first half ended tied following what players described as a strong performance from Sporting.

"If we take away those first two minutes of the game, the first half was really good," said Bassong. "We were very compact and moved the ball very well. Everyone was really committed defensively. The attack and transitions were incredible. The team had a very solid performance in the first half. I think we should have scored more goals."

In contrast to their strong start, Sporting struggled after halftime as both teams made several substitutions. Orlando's changes strengthened their side and they increased pressure on Kansas City. Ramiro Enrique and Nicolás Rodríguez—both substitutes—scored for Orlando in the second half to secure victory for their team. Martín Ojeda assisted Enrique’s goal and contributed offensively throughout.

Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made several saves against Kansas City attempts—including an effort from Daniel Salloi late in stoppage time—to help preserve his team's lead.

"The first ten minutes of the second half were fine but then I don't know," Bassong commented after the match. "I'm not going to say we started being lazy but we weren't as compact and maybe lost concentration. We were more open and made many small mistakes... There were moments when they had possession and looked dangerous but it wasn't like they created much; it was mostly our mistakes... We have to improve if we want to reach playoffs... Each one of us has to step up."

Sporting Kansas City will next face Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on Sunday, August 24 with eight matches remaining this season as they look to earn points away from home.

For more information or updates visit ES.SportingKC.com.