Across State Lines: Kamara and Sierra Leone Qualify for the African Cup of Nations

Former Sporting Kansas City forward, Kei Kamara may still be looking for a new club, but he is headed to the African Cup of Nations for the first time as he helped lead Sierra Leone qualify for the 2021 tournament in Cameroon (taking place in 2022). Heading into the final match day this past week, they needed a win against Benin to qualify for the tournament. After the game was delayed a day due to COVID testing, Kamara scored the lone goal from the penalty spot in a 1-0 win to clinch their spot, finishing level with Benin on points but with a 0 goal difference compared to Benin’s -1 goal difference. Sierra Leone lost just one game in qualifying, on the road against Benin as they finished 1-1-4.

The Leone Stars qualified for their first African Cup of Nations since 1996 when the tournament was held in South Africa. It will be their third trip to the tournament having also qualified for the tournament in Tunisia in 1994. In their prior two appearances, Sierra Leone has one win, one draw, and three losses.

Here’s the rest of this week’s update.

Key

SKC - former Sporting KC players

ACA - former Sporting KC academy players (finished with college eligibility)

KC - Kansas City area players

SPR - former Swope Park Rangers/Sporting KC II players

COL - local college players

Comets - former Comets players

FCKC - former FC Kansas City players

KCNWSL - former KC NWSL players

Note: Players under contract to Sporting Kansas City at this time are not included on this list, the exception being players loaned outside of Kansas City.

MLS

Saad Abdul-Salaam (SKC) - Columbus - Came off the bench and played 3 minutes in Columbus’ 2-0 win over Chicago.

Jalil Anibaba (SKC) - Nashville - Came off the bench and played 27 minutes in Nashville’s 2-0 loss to New York.

Matt Besler (SKC) - Austin - Started and played 90 minutes in Austin’s 0-0 draw with San Jose.

Nick Besler (KC) - Salt Lake - Started and played 90 minutes in RSL’s 3-1 win over Vancouver.

Latif Blessing (SKC) - LAFC - Dressed but did not play in LAFC’s 1-1 draw with Houston.

Teal Bunbury (SKC) - New England - Dressed but did not play in New England’s 3-2 win over NYCFC.

Aurelien Collin (SKC) - Philadelphia - Dressed but did not play in Philadelphia’s 2-2 draw with Atlanta.

Eric Dick (SKC) - Columbus - Did not dress in Columbus’ 2-0 win over Chicago.

Dom Dwyer (SKC) - Toronto - Came off the bench and played 3 minutes in Toronto’s 3-2 loss to Orlando.

Kortne Ford (KC) - Colorado - Did not dress in Colorado’s 2-0 win over Cincinnati.

Erik Hurtado (SKC) - Montreal - No game this week.

Alec Kann (SKC) - Atlanta - Dressed but did not play in Atlanta’s 2-2 draw with Philadelphia.

Jon Kempin (SKC) - DC - Dressed but did not play in DC’s 1-0 win over Miami.

Jimmy Medranda (SKC) - Seattle - Came off the bench and played 14 minutes in Seattle’s 2-1 win over LA.

Ike Opara (SKC) - Minnesota - Did not dress in Minnesota’s 1-1 draw with Dallas.

Tyler Pasher (SKC) - Houston - Started and played 59 minutes, recording an assist in Houston’s 1-1 draw with LAFC.

Tony Rocha (SKC) - New York City - Dressed but did not play in NYCFC’s 3-2 loss to New England.

Oriol Rosell (SKC) - Orlando - Dressed but did not play in Orlando’s 3-2 win over Toronto. Came off the bench and played 13 minutes in Orlando’s 5-0 win over San Jose.

Kelyn Rowe (SKC) - Seattle - Started and played 90 minutes in Seattle’s 2-1 win over LA.

Diego Rubio (SKC) - Colorado - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Colorado’s 2-0 win over Cincinnati.

CJ Sapong (SKC) - Nashville - Started and played 77 minutes in Nashville’s 2-0 loss to New York.

Aedan Stanley (SPR) - Austin - Dressed but did not play in Austin’s 0-0 draw with San Jose.

Gedion Zelalem (SKC) - New York City - Di not dress in NYCFC’s 3-2 loss to New England.

Adrian Zendejas (SKC) - Minnesota - Loaned to El Paso in the USL Championship.

NWSL

Dorian Bailey (KC) - Washington - Started and played 90 minutes in Washington’s 1-1 draw with Chicago.

Nicole Barnhart (FCKC) - Kansas City - Dressed but did not play in KC’s 1-0 loss to Portland.

Katie Bowen (FCKC) - Kansas City - Started and played 89 minutes in KC’s 1-0 loss to Portland.

Shea Groom (KC) - Houston - Started and played 68 minutes in Houston’s 1-0 loss to Louisville.

Haley Hanson (KC) - Houston - Started and played 90 minutes in Houston’s 1-0 loss to Louisville.

Jaycie Johnson (KC) - Kansas City - Did not dress in KC’s 1-0 loss to Portland.

Gunnhildur Jonsdottir (KCNWSL) - Orlando - Started and played 90 minutes in Iceland’s 2-0 win over Ireland. Started and played 90 minutes in Orlando’s 1-1 draw with NJ/NY.

Maegan Kelly (KC) - Houston - Did not dress in Houston’s 1-0 loss to Louisville.

Tziarra King (KCNWSL) - Reign - Came off the bench and played 15 minutes in OL Reign’s 2-1 loss to North Carolina. Did not dress in OL Reign’s 2-0 win over Chicago.

CeCe Kizer (KC) - Louisville - Started and played 71 minutes in Louisville’s 1-0 win over Houston.

Lo’eau LaBonta (FCKC) - Kansas City - Started and played 45 minutes in KC’s 1-0 loss to Portland.

Sydney Leroux (FCKC) - Orlando - Started and played 71 minutes in Orlando’s 1-1 draw with NJ/NY.

Merritt Mathias (FCKC) - North Carolina - Started and played 90 minutes, recording an assist in North Carolina’s 2-1 win over OL Reign.

Addisyn Merrick (KC) - Louisville - Dressed but did not play in Louisville’s 1-0 win over Houston.

Kristie Mewis (FCKC) - Houston - Started and played 61 minutes in the USA’s 2-0 win over Nigeria. Started and played 90 minutes in Houston’s 1-0 loss to Louisville.

Sinclaire Miramontez (KC) - Louisville - Came off the bench and played 5 minutes in Louisville’s 1-0 win over Houston.

Sydney Miramontez (KC) - Kansas City - Did not dress in KC’s 1-0 loss to Portland.

Brittany Ratcliffe (FCKC) - North Carolina - Came off the bench and played 10 minutes in North Carolina’s 2-1 win over OL Reign.

Dominique Richardson (FCKC) - NJ/NY - Came off the bench and played 16 minutes in NJ/NY’s 1-1 draw with Orlando.

Amy Rodriguez (FCKC) - Kansas City - Started and played 90 minutes in KC’s 1-0 loss to Portland.

Katelyn Rowland (FCKC) - North Carolina - Dressed but did not play in North Carolina’s 2-1 win over OL Reign.

Becky Sauerbrunn (FCKC) - Portland - Started and played 90 minutes in USA’s 2-0 win over Nigeria. Started and played 60 minutes in Portland’s 1-0 win over KC.

Desiree Scott (FCKC) - Kansas City - Started and played 64 minutes in KC’s 1-0 loss to Portland.

Erika Tymrak (FCKC) - Orlando - Came off the bench and played 5 minutes in Orlando’s 1-1 draw with NJ/NY.

USL Championship

Ezra Armstrong (ACA) - Pittsburgh - Did not dress in either of Pittsburgh’s games.

Hadji Barry (SPR) - Colorado Springs - Started and played 89 minutes, scoring a goal and adding 3 assists in Colorado Springs’ 4-2 win over Tacoma. Started and played 81 minutes, scoring 2 goals in Colorado Springs’ 3-2 win over Austin.

Kharlton Belmar (SKC) - Sacramento - Game this week postponed.

Tyler Blackwood (SPR) - Oakland - Game this week postponed.

Matt Constant (SKC) - Kansas City - Came off the bench and played 22 minutes in KC’s 4-3 loss to Tulsa. Started and played 64 minutes in KC’s 2-1 loss to Indy.

Jake Davis (ACA) - Kansas City - Started and played 90 minutes, recording an assist in KC’s 4-3 loss to Tulsa. Started and played 80 minutes in KC’s 2-1 loss to Indy.

Liam Doyle (SPR) - San Antonio - Started and played 90 minutes in San Antonio’s 2-0 loss to New Mexico. Started and played 90 minutes in San Antonio’s 1-1 draw with RGV.

Christian Duke (SKC) - Kansas City - Started and played 90 minutes in KC’s 4-3 loss to Tulsa. Started and played 90 minutes, recording an assist in KC’s 2-1 loss to Indy.

Kyle Greig (KC) - Louisville - Came off the bench and played 24 minutes in Louisville’s 2-0 win over Birmingham. Came off the bench and played 45 minutes in Louisville’s 3-2 win over Tulsa.

Christian Herrera (SPR) - Tacoma - Dressed but did not play in Tacoma’s 4-2 loss to Colorado Springs.

Cameron Iwasa (SKC) - Sacramento - Game this week postponed.

Ryan James (SKC) - Birmingham - Came off the bench and played 45 minutes in Birmingham’s 2-0 loss to Louisville.

Mechack Jerome (SKC) - El Paso - Dressed but did not play in either of Haiti’s games.

Preston Judd (SPR) - LA - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring 3 goals in LA’s 4-3 loss to Las Vegas.

Dane Kelly (SPR) - Charlotte - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Charlotte’s 3-1 loss to New York.

Wan Kuzain (SKC) - Rio Grande Valley - Started and played 66 minutes in RGV’s 2-1 loss to Austin. Came off the bench and played 16 minutes in RGV’s 1-1 draw with San Antonio.

Mikey Lopez (SKC) - Birmingham - Started and played 45 minutes in Birmingham’s 2-0 loss to Louisville.

Zac Lubin (SPR) - Phoenix - Did not dress in Phoenix’s 2-1 loss to San Diego.

Lebo Moloto (SPR) - Tulsa - Did not dress in either of Tulsa’s games.

James Musa (SKC) - Phoenix - Started and played 90 minutes in Phoenix’s 2-1 loss to San Diego.

Amobi Okugo (SKC) - Austin - Started and played 90 minutes in Austin’s 2-1 win over RGV. Started and played 65 minutes in Austin’s 3-2 loss to Colorado Springs.

Jahon Rad (ACA) - Kansas City - Came off the bench and played 22 minutes in KC’s 4-3 loss to Tulsa. Started and played 64 minutes in KC’s 2-1 loss to Indy.

Bryam Rebellon (SPR) - El Paso - Started and played 79 minutes before being red carded, recording an assist in El Paso’s 2-1 win over SLC.

Camden Riley (SKC) - Rio Grande Valley - Did not dress in either of RGV’s games.

Ray Saari (KC) - Oklahoma City - Did not dress in OKC’s 1-0 win over Memphis.

Mark Segbers (SPR) - Memphis - Started and played 90 minutes in Memphis’ 1-0 win over Atlanta. Started and played 90 minutes in Memphis’ 1-0 loss to OKC.

Dillon Serna (SPR) - Colorado Springs - Did not dress in either of Colorado Springs’ games.

Parker Siegfried (SKC) - Louisville - Dressed but did not play in either of Louisville’s games.

Tucker Stephenson (ACA) - Oklahoma City - Came off the bench and played 20 minutes in OKC’s 1-0 win over Memphis.

Alex Tambakis (SKC) - New Mexico - Started and played 90 minutes in New Mexico’s 2-0 win over San Antonio.

Ciaran Winters (ACA) - Tulsa - Came off the bench and played 13 minutes in Tulsa’s 4-3 win over KC. Dressed but did not play in Tulsa’s 3-2 loss to Louisville.

Adrian Zendejas (SKC) - El Paso (Minnesota) - Did not dress in El Paso’s 2-1 win over SLC.

Sal Zizzo (SKC) - San Diego - Did not dress in San Diego’s 2-1 win over Phoenix.

USL1

Dakota Barnathan (SPR) - Tucson - Started and played 90 minutes in Tucson’s 0-0 draw with North Texas.

Brandon Fricke (ACA) - Greenville - Started and played 90 minutes in Greenville’s 2-1 win over North Carolina. Started and played 90 minutes in Greenville’s 3-1 loss to South Georgia.

Richard Sanchez (SKC) - North Texas - Dressed but did not play in North Texas’ 0-0 draw with Tucson.

Ualefi (SKC) - Chattanooga - Dressed but did not play in Chattanooga’s 3-2 win over North Carolina.

Ethan Vanacore-Decker (SPR) - Omaha - Started and played 80 minutes in Omaha’s 1-1 draw with Richmond.

NISA

Akeil Barrett (SPR) - New Amsterdam - Did not dress in either of New Amsterdam’s games.

Michael Kafari (SKC) - New Amsterdam - Started and played 90 minutes in New Amsterdam’s 4-1 win over 1904. Did not dress in New Amsterdam’s 2-0 loss to LA.

James Kasak (SKC) - Chattanooga FC - Started and played 90 minutes in Chattanooga’s 1-0 loss to Stumptown.

Matt Lewis (SKC) - Detroit - No game this week.

Franky Martinez (SKC) - Stumptown - Started and played 90 minutes in Stumptown’s 1-1 draw with Cal United. Started and played 90 minutes in Stumptown’s 1-0 win over Chattanooga. Started and played 89 minutes in Stumptown’s 3-1 win over 1904.

International

Korede Aiyegbusi (SKC) - Amical Saint-Prex - Switzerland - Started and played 90 minutes in Saint-Prex’s 3-0 loss to Servette FC U21.

Rassambek Akhmatov (SPR) - Comuna Recea - Romania - Offseason.

Ever Alvarado (SKC) - Olimpia - Honduras - Offseason.

Alexsander (SPR) - CA Patrocinense - Brazil - Did not dress in Patrocinense’s 1-1 draw with Uberlandia.

Ayyoub Allach (SPR) - KSK Lierse Kem. - Belgium - Offseason.

Emiliano Amor (SKC) - Colo-Colo - Chile - No game until 7/17.

Stefan Antonijevic (SKC) - Oygarden - Norway - Did not dress in Oygarden’s 1-1 draw with Rosenborg II.

Sagir Arce (KC) - Mazatlan FC - Mexico - Offseason.

Ayrton (SPR) - Mantois 78 - France - Season postponed.

Botond Barath (SKC) - Honved - Hungary - Offseason.

Jose Barragan (SPR) - Jaguares de Cordoba - Colombia - No game until 7/27.

Federico Bessone (SKC) - Inter Club d’Escaldes - Andorra - Offseason.

Claudio Bieler (SKC) - Atletico Rafaela - Argentina - Started and played 90 minutes in Atletico’s 1-0 loss to Instituto. Started and played 90 minutes in Atletico’s 2-1 loss to Barracas Central.

Tiffany Cameron (FCKC) - Ferencvaros - Hungary - Offseason.

Thierry Catherine (SPR) - AS Samaritaine - Martinique - Offseason.

Sunil Chhetri (SKC) - Bengaluru - India - Started and played 69 minutes in India’s 1-1 draw with Afghanistan.

Jorge Claros (SKC) - CD Real Sociedad - Honduras - Offseason.

Killian Colombie (SPR) - Aldershot Town - England - Offseason.

Yohan Croizet (SKC) - Ujpest FC - Hungary - Offseason.

Renae Cuellar (FCKC) - Tijuana - Mexico - Offseason.

Daneil Cyrus (SKC) - Ebril SC - Iraq - Defeated Naft 2-1. Tied Al Talaba 1-1.

Amer Didic (SKC) - Edmonton - Canada - No game until 6/26.

Toni Dovale (SKC) - El Ejido - Spain - Offseason.

Steven Enna (ACA) - FC Fredericia - Denmark - No game until 7/23.

Gerso Fernandes (SKC) - Jeju United - South Korea - No game until 7/20.

Amanda Frisbie (FCKC) - Madrid CFF - Spain - Did not dress in Madrid’s 3-3 draw with Espanyol.

Luis Gil (SKC) - MAS Taborsko - Czech Republic - Offseason.

Nicholas Gioacchini (KC) - Caen - France - Offseason.

Katrina Gorry (FCKC) - Brisbane Roar - Australia - Offseason.

Tomas Granitto (SKC) - FAS - El Salvador - Offseason.

Johnny Grant (SPR) - Forge - Canada - No game until 6/27.

Felipe Gutierrez (SKC) - Universidad Catolica - Chile - Came off the bench and played 28 minutes in Universidad’s 1-1 draw with Deportes Iquique.

Nicolas Hasler (SKC) - Thun - Switzerland - Offseason.

Shelby High (KC) - FF La Solana - Spain - Offseason.

Igor Juliao (SKC) - Fluminense - Brazil - Did not dress in either of Fluminense’s games.

Igor Kostrov (SKC) - FK Gomel - Belarus - Came off the bench and played 15 minutes in Gomel’s 2-0 win over Isloch. Started and played 90 minutes in Gomel’s 6-2 win over Orsha.

Cristian Lobato (SKC) - UE Cornella - Spain - Offseason.

Tiffany McCarty (FCKC) - Breidablik - Iceland - Started and played 79 minutes in Breidablik’s 4-0 win over Selfoss.

Kyle McLagan (KC) - Fram - Iceland - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Fram’s 5-1 win over Throttur Reykjavik.

Eric McWoods (COL-UMKC) - Al Aqaba - Jordan - No game until 6/27.

William Opoku Mensah (SPR) - Mukura Victory - Rwanda - Tied Gasogi United 1-1.

Michal Mravec (SKC) - SK Gbelany - Slovakia - No games scheduled.

Soni Mustivar (SKC) - Nea Salamia - Cyprus - Offseason.

Kevin Oliveira (SKC) - Daxo Katokopias - Cyprus - Offseason.

Luis Olivera (SPR) - Fenix de Pilar - Argentina - Started and played 90 minutes in Fenix’s 3-2 loss to San Miguel.

Erik Palmer-Brown (SKC) - Manchester City - England - Offseason.

Pandelis Popgeorgiev (COL-UMKC) - Kecskemeti - Hungary - Offseason.

Rokas Pukstas (ACA) - Hajduk Split - Croatia - Offseason.

Pablo Punyed (SKC) - Vikingur Reykjavik - Iceland - Started and played 90 minutes in Reykjavik’s 1-1 draw with KR.

Jordi Quintilla (SKC) - FC St. Gallen - Switzerland - Offseason.

Brianne Reed (FCKC) - FC Nordsjaelland - Denmark - Offseason.

Winston Reid (SKC) - West Ham - England - Offseason.

Abdul Rwatubyaye (SKC) - FC Shkupi - North Macedonia - No game until 7/8.

Soony Saad (SKC) - Al-Wehdat - Jordan - No game until 6/27.

Rodrigo Saravia (SPR) - Comunicaciones - Guatemala - No game until 7/31.

Peter Schmetz (SKC) - SSVg Velbert 02 - Germany - Games currently postponed.

Nansel Selbol (SKC) - NK BSK Bijelo Brdo - Croatia - Offseason.

Abby Small (KC) - Dinamo Minsk - Belarus - Offseason.

Yann Songo’o (SKC) - Morecambe FC - England - Offseason.

Martin Steuble (SKC) - Muangkan United - Thailand - Offseason.

Milos Stojcev (SKC) - FK Vozdovac - Serbia - Offseason.

Christian Volesky (SKC) - Keflavik - Iceland - Dressed but did not play in either of Keflavik’s games.

Duval Wapiwo (SPR) - MFK Vyskov - Czech Republic - Games postponed.

Ze Pedro (SPR) - Beira-Mar - Portugal - Offseason.

NPSL

David Greczek (SKC) - Motown - Did not dress in any of Motown’s games.

Alex Molano (SKC) - Denton - Did not dress in Denon’s 1-0 win over Irving FC.

USL2

Chase Bromstedt (ACA) - Kaw Valley - Started and played 72 minutes in Kaw Valley’s 2-1 loss to St. Louis. Started and played 90 minutes in Kaw Valley’s 7-1 loss to Chicago.

Absalom Solorio (ACA) - Kaw Valley - Did not dress in either of Kaw Valley’s games.

Patrick Wilkinson (ACA) - Kaw Valley - Started and played 90 minutes in Kaw Valley’s 2-1 loss to St. Louis. Did not dress in Kaw Valley’s 7-1 loss to Chicago.

Wilfred Williams (SKC) - Tri-Cities - Came off the bench and played 22 minutes in Tri-Cities 1-1 draw with Wake FC. Did not dress in Tri-Cities’ 3-0 win over Tobacco Road.

Indoor

Felipe Abreu (COL-Mid-American) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Alvaro Beltran (COL-MidAmerican) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Mitchell Cardenas (SKC) - San Diego - Offseason.

Kevin Ellis (SKC) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Ignacio Flores (COL-Park) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Jeff Hughes (Comets) - Ontario - Offseason.

Adam James (KC) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Mike Jones (SKC) - Dallas - Offseason.

Robert Kelly (KC) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Ray Lee (ACA) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Rodolfo Lopes (COL-Park) - Orlando - Offseason.

Nick McDonald (KC) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Alex Megson (Comets) - Tacoma - Offseason.

Lou Misner (KC) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Ramone Palmer (COL-Park) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Robert Palmer (COL-Park) - Ontario - Offseason.

Boris Pardo (SKC) - San Diego - Offseason.

Guerrero Pino (COL-UMKC) - San Diego - Offseason.

Travis Pittman (Comets) - San Diego - Offseason.

Henry Ramirez (COL-UMKC) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Jose Ramos (COL-MidAmerica) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Mirko Sandivari (COL-Park) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Mark Saxby (KC) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Hector Solorio (ACA) - Kansas City - Offseason.

John Sosa (COL-UMKC) - Kansas City - Offseason.

Lucas Sousa (COL-Park)- Kansas City - Offseason.

Danny Waltman (Comets) - Tacoma - Offseason.

Active without a club or unknown

Joe Amico (ACA)

Bernardo Anor (SKC)

Emmanuel Appiah (SKC)

Will Bagrou (SKC)

Camilo Benitez (ACA)

Louis Bennett II (SPR)

Andre Braithwaite (Comets)

Servando Carrasco (SKC)

Rennico Clarke (SPR)

Leroy Enzugusi (ACA)

Mario Erpel (COL-Park)

Pablo Escobar (SKC)

Gui Gomes (COL-Benedictine)

Anthony Grant (Comets)

Elvir Ibisevic (ACA)

Peterson Joseph (SKC)

Kei Kamara (SKC) - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Sierra Leone’s 1-0 win over Benin.

Seo-In Kim (ACA)

Will Little (ACA)

Charlie Lyon (SKC)

Taylor Lytle (KCNWSL)

James Marcelin (SKC)

Kamar Marriott (SKC)

Jerome Ngom Mbekeli (SPR)

Molly Menchel (FCKC)

Robert Mirosavic (SPR)

Fredinho Mompremier (SPR)

Krisztian Nemeth (SKC)

Lawrence Olum (SKC)

Brett Petricek (Comets)

Sam Raben (SPR)

Max Rugova (ACA)

Matheus Silva (SPR)

Odaine Sinclair (COL-Baker)

Seth Sinovic (SKC)

Colton Storm (SKC)

Raisa Strom-Okimoto (KCNWSL)

Jaret Townsend (SKC)

Kris Tyrpak (SKC)

Zach Wright (SKC)