Recap: Sporting KC II falls 5-1 at Whitecaps FC 2

Sporting Kansas City II (5-16-4, 20 points) suffered a 5-1 defeat on the road against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (6-14-4, 25 points) on Sunday night. Missael Rodriguez came on as a second half substitute and netted his seventh goal of the season tied for the team lead. 

Vancouver got two goals from Johnny Selemani and two assists from Valter Sedin as they kept their playoff hopes alive and earned their first win over SKC II since April 2022.

Just before the 20 minute mark, Vancouver opened the scoring with their first attempt of the match. An inswinging corner connected with the head of Sedin who redirected it into the six. Cristiano Bruletti then flicked the ball into the back of the net from point blank range to give the hosts the lead.

Less than five minutes later, a Whitecaps freekick was sent into the area, headed goalward and caught comfortably by Jack Kortkamp on his near post for his first save of the contest. Kortkamp was called back into action in the 38th and denied Sedin with a terrific, diving save. 

The hosts doubled their lead in the second minute of stoppage time of the first half after Carson Rassak found the target from just inside the 18. Sedin sparked the second goal for his second assist of the contest.

The second half began with head coach Lee Tschantret making two changes. Rodriguez, and Daniel Russo, a former Whitecaps FC 2 member, replaced Kashan Hines and Sam Worcester. Kortkamp made his third save of the evening, strong arming a rocket from Selemani away with his left arm. Selemani was able to score moments later in the 50th, rolling a shot into the goal with his left foot. 

Tschantret went back to his bench in the 64th, subbing on Jack Francka for Ty Haas. Vancouver netted their fourth after a chaotic sequence in front of SKC II's goal in the 69th minute. A heroic goal line clearance from Francka fell to Trevor Wright in front of the goal mouth and was lifted into the top of the net. Trevor Burns came on for Johann Ortiz in the 74th as SKC II's fourth sub of the game. 

Rodriguez finally found the breakthrough for SKC II in the 83rd, firing home from inside the box through his defender's legs after being played into the attack by Trevor Burns. Selemani regained a four goal lead for the hosts three minutes later with a left footed laser from distance into the upper left corner of the goal. 

Sporting KC II will now return home for their final two home games of the 2026 season. They will host St. Louis CITY 2 on Saturday, Sept. 5 and LAFC 2 on Sunday, Sept. 13. Both games will kick at 7 p.m. CT and will air live on MLSNEXTPro.com and in the OneFootball app. Tickets are on sale at SeatGeek.com for just $10.

Sporting Kansas City II: Jack Kortkamp; Alex Cunningham, Pierre Lurot (C), Luca Antongirolami, Sam Worcester (Daniel Russo 46'); Blaine Mabie, Gael Quintero, Johann Ortiz (Trevor Burns 74'); Ty Haas (Jack Francka 64'), Kashan Hines (Missael Rodriguez 46'), Shane Donovan

Subs Not Used: Jacob Molinaro, Mitch Ferguson. Zane Wantland

Whitecaps FC 2: Sam Rogers; Immanuel Mathe, Sebastian Ramirez (Manav Badwal 46'), Trevor Wright (C), Micaah Garnette; Valter Sedin, Cristiano Bruletti, Johnny Selemani, Carson Rassak, Yuma Tsuji (Tyler Brown 64'), Yeider Zuluaga (Liam Campagna 90')

Subs Not Used: Timothy Lodder, Jayden Kim, Jesse Peace, Kevin Podgorni, Sahil Deo

Scoring Summary:

VAN - Cristiano Bruletti 2 (Valter Sedin) 19'
VAN - Carson Rassak 3 (Valter Sedin) 45+2'
VAN - Johnny Selemani 2 (Manav Badwal) 50'
VAN - Trevor Wright 3 (Unassisted) 69'
SKC - Missael Rodrigurz 7 (Trevor Burns) 83'
VAN - Johnny Selemani 3 (Unassisted) 86'

Misconduct Summary:

SKC - Luca Antongirolami (Yellow Card; Unsporting Conduct) 32'
SKC - Jack Kortkamp (Yellow Card; Dissent) 39'
SKC - Gael Quintero (Yellow Card; Unsporting Conduct) 53'
VAN - Johnny Selemani (Yellow Card; Unsporting Conduct) 77'

Referee: Mathieu Souare
Assistant Referee: Mehmet Sen
Assistant Referee: Nolasco Encina
Fourth Official: Niko Jecanski