Goals galore as Sporting KC II pull off upset win over Tulsa

Sporting KC II discovered that scoring was fun as they scored four unanswered from four first-time professional scorers in a 4-1 come-from-behind win against FC Tulsa. After scoring a total of two goals from their opening six games, it was the first time that SKC II scored multiple times in a game this year.

Head coach Paulo Nagamura sent out the same starting XI that drew 0-0 with El Paso on Sunday, which includes eight players on loan from the first team.

Tulsa took the lead 13 minutes in with the first real chance of the game with a goal from Lucas Moutinho. After Cameron Duke surrendered possession in the midfield with a slip, Rodrigo da Costa played it for Moutinho, who took a touch and slotted it past the keeper from near the penalty spot.

Felipe Hernandez had SKC II’s first big opportunity in the 20th minute. Duke found Hernandez, but his one-time shot from inside the box whistled just wide.

SKC II had another opportunity in the 38th minute when Petar Cuic sent a terrific ball for Enoch Mushagalusa. After taking on a defender, Mushagalusa cracked a shot off the near post.

Sporting II kept pushing for an equalizer with Enoch Mushagalusa and Wilson Harris each on the end of several chances that never flourished.

The hosts finally found the equalizer in the third minute of first-half stoppage time with a first professional goal from Cam Duke and a first professional assist for Grayson Barber. After receiving the ball on the left side, Barber dribbled in the box and found the late-arriving Duke, who beat the keeper with a one-time finish near the penalty spot.

SKC II took the 2-1 lead in the 49th minute with a first professional goal from Barber. After Felipe Hernandez’s initial shot was saved, Barber pounced on the rebound and found the corner with a well-composed one-time finish.

The momentum kept building in the 54th minute when SKC II pulled ahead 3-1. This time it was a first professional goal for Kaveh Rad, glancing a header to the far post from a corner kick from Felipe Hernandez.

Tulsa came close to getting one back in the 68th minute. Jerome Kiesewetter’s shot from near the end line was kept out by a block from Danny Barbir on the line before the ball was eventually scrambled away.

Sporting II added a fourth in the 73rd minute with a first professional goal for Rojay Smith. Smith sent a screamer into the top corner unassisted, ensuring a first win of the season for SKC II.

With this win, Sporting KC II is now sixth in the Central Division with a 1-3-3 record.

They will hit the road with a trip to Atlanta United 2 next Wednesday.

Sporting Kansas City II: John Pulskamp; Amadou Dia; Danny Barbir; Kaveh Rad; Jaylin Lindsey (C); Petar Cuic (Christian Duke 69’); Felipe Hernandez (Bailey Sparks 75’); Cameron Duke; Enoch Mushagalusa (Kayden Pierre 75’); Wilson Harris (Ropapa Mensah 86’); Grayson Barber (Rojay Smith 69’)

Subs Not Used: Gavin Krenecki; Aljaz Dzankic

FC Tulsa: Sean Lewis; Modou Jadama (Leo Folla 77’); Bradley Bourgeois (C); Kevin Garcia; Rodrigo da Costa; Raphael Ayagwa (Solomon Kwambe 72’); Lucas Coutinho (Eric Bird 56’); Matthew Sheldon; Marlon (Kembo Kibato 45’); Jerome Kiesewetter; Darío Suárez (Stanley Oganbor 72’)

Subs Not Used: Austin Wormell; Ciaran Winters

Scoring Summary:

TUL — Lucas Coutinho (Rodrigo da Costa) 13’

SKC — Cameron Duke (Grayson Barber) 45+3’

SKC — Grayson Barber 49’

SKC — Kaveh Rad (Felipe Hernandez) 54’

SKC — Rojay Smith 73’

Misconduct Summary:

TUL — Marlon (yellow card; foul) 24’

SKC — Kaveh Rad (yellow card; foul) 41’

SKC — Wilson Harris (yellow card; dissent) 58’

TUL — Eric Bird (yellow card; dissent) 71’

TUL — Jerome Kiesewetter (yellow card; foul) 85’