Sporting KC II fall to Louisville City 2-1

The Mahomes era of Sporting KC II did not get off to the best of starts as SKC II suffered a 2-1 loss on home soil against Louisville City FC on Wednesday night.

After getting away with a few mistakes in the first half, Lou City finally made them pay with two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half. It was especially tough for goalkeeper John Pulskamp, who was in question on both goals. A first professional goal from Ozzie Cisneros late was enough to make the final few minutes interesting.

Wednesday’s loss keeps SKC II in last place of the Central Division. They now sit on 14 points with a 3-8-5 record and just one win at home.

Three first team players started for SKC II on loan for Wednesday including John Pulskamp, Graham Smith and Kayden Pierre. Ozzie Cisneros, who hasn’t started a professional game in over two months, was named to the bench once again. Entering Wednesday Cisneros had made just three substitute appearances, all coming after the 80th minute, since being subbed off at halftime of SKC II’s 4-0 loss to Colorado Springs in May.

Former SKC loanee Parker Siegfried got the start for the visitors in goal, joined by KC native Kyle Greig. Lou City leading scorer Cameron Lancaster missed Lou City’s second straight trip to KC.

Lou City’s first big chance of the game came 15 minutes in. Pat McMahon’s shot from outside the box was blocked by Isaiah LeFlore, who did well to direct the block with his head and deflect it behind for a corner.

Lou City had a chance in the 21st minute. As the referee played advantage for the visitors, Brian Ownby desperately lunged in to chip the ball over an onrushing Pulskamp but his effort lifted well over the frame.

SKC II had their only shot on target of the first half in the 23rd minute. Rojay Smith took a shot on his right foot from distance, but his effort was tipped wide by Siegfried.

Ownby missed the best chance of the half 42 minutes in. Picking up a loose pass from Jamil Roberts, Kyle Greig found Ownby alone near the penalty spot, but Ownby fluffed his lines as his effort popped high before trickling wide harmlessly wide.

After bringing Jorge Gonzalez on at halftime, the Lou City substitute opened the scoring less than a minute into the second half. Ownby received credit for the assist, playing a simple ball to Gonzalez who slid it past Pulskamp, who might’ve thought he should have done better.

The visitors went 2-0 up in the 56th minute. Ownby with another assist as he played the ball in as Kyle Greig applied the finishing touch to beat Pulskamp, who will be questioning his positioning.

Lou City nearly added a third in the 85th minute. Pulskamp was definitely at fault here, passing the ball straight to Lou City. The shot from Corben Bone was then cleared off the line by Graham Smith.

SKC II made it interesting late after getting a goal from Ozzie Cisneros. The SKC Academy product’s first professional goal was taken well as he fired it into the roof of the net from about seven yards out.

Sporting KC II will be back in action on Sunday when they host Memphis 901 FC.

Sporting Kansas City II: John Pulskamp; Isaiah LeFlore; Danny Barbir; Graham Smith; Kayden Pierre; Petar Cuic (Jahon Rad 64’); Christian Duke (C) (Ozzie Cisneros 86’); Jake Davis (Jayin Van Deventer 72’); Rojay Smith (Coby Jones 64’); Enoch Mushagalusa; Jamil Roberts

Subs Not Used: Remi Prieur; Matt Constant; Aljaz Dzankic

Louisville City FC: Parker Siegfried; Jonathan Gomez; Wes Charpie; Sean Totsch; Pat McMahon; Tyler Gibson; Paolo Del Piccolo (C) (Napo Matsoso 70’); Antoine Hoppenot (Jorge Gonzalez 46’); Niall McCabe (Corben Bone 32’); Brian Ownby (James McLaughlin 70’); Kyle Greig

Subs Not Used: Chris Hubbard; Akil Watts; Joshua Wynder

Scoring Summary:

LOU — Jorge Gonzalez (Brian Ownby) 46’

LOU — Kyle Greig (Brian Ownby) 56’

SKC — Ozzie Cisneros (Enoch Mushagalusa) 89’

Misconduct Summary:

LOU — Tyler Gibson (yellow card; foul) 6’

SKC — Christian Duke (yellow card; foul) 53’

LOU — Pat McMahon (yellow card; foul) 72’

LOU — Jonathan Gomez (yellow card; time wasting) 90+3’

SKC — Enoch Mushagalusa (yellow card; foul) 90+4’