Recap: Sporting KC II suffers narrow road defeat against LAFC 2

Sporting Kansas City II (5-14-4, 20 points) suffered a narrow road defeat at LAFC 2 (10-5-8, 41 points) on Thursday night at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, California. After two first half goals from the hosts, Ty Haas netted his second goal of the season in the 76th. Despite a valiant effort in the final 15 minutes from Sporting KC II, LAFC 2 held on to earn their fifth straight result.

Two minutes into the game, Missael Rodriguez sparked an attack that ended with Zamir Loyo Reynaga on the ball at the top of the box. The midfielder sent a shot on target that was blocked by Benjamin Failla, spilled, put back on goal by Shane Donovan and corralled by the keeper. 

Just 10 minutes later, the hosts took the lead after Sebastian Nava redirected a cross from Charlie Kosakoff home right in front of the goalmouth. LAFC added a second in the 23rd when a left footed strike from distance Emir Ponciano found the back of the net. 

The home side kept their foot on the gas for the remainder of the first half. Jack Kortkamp kept the deficit at two with a kick save after a centering pass deflected off his own defender. Alex Cunningham made a terrific clearance at the half hour mark, tracking back to head a dangerous ball away from goal. LAFC 2 found a third in the 31st minute, however, the celebration was short lived as the offside flag went up.

Kortkamp made another save a minute later, boxing a shot over the bar before dropping down to his right to make a more comfortable save. A free kick from the Black and Gold was caught easily by the keeper in the 39th as the game went to the break. At the start of the second half, Lee Tscahntret made one change bringing on Gael Quintero for Trevor Burns. 

Loyo Reynaga put another shot on target, forcing the keeper to dive back across his body weight to deny the attempt. Kashan Hines and Ty Haas subbed on a few moments later, replacing Loyo Reynaga and Tega Ikoba. Hines nearly found a goal moments after subbing on, but Failla made another save. 

Haas was finally able to beat Failla with a rocket past the keeper and into the top corner of the near post in the 76th minute. Haas now has two goals on the season as an SKC Academy amateur. Now on the front foot, Tschantret brought on Johann Ortiz and Sam Worcester for Donovan and Daniel Russo. 

On the cusp of the 90th Rodriguez rifled a shot that Failla barely touched onto the crossbar with his fingertips. That would prove to be SKC II's last true chance as LAFC 2 saw out the rest of stoppage time and claimed the win.

It will be a quick turnaround for SKC II as they continue their west coast road trip with a matchup against the Tacoma Defiance on Monday. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. CT with livestreams available for free on MLSNEXTPro.com and in the OneFootball app.

Sporting Kansas City II: Jack Kortkamp; Alex Cunningham, Mitch Ferguson, Pierre Lurot (C), Daniel Russo (Sam Worcester 77'); Blaine Mabie, Trevor Burns (Gael Quintero 46'), Zamir Loyo Reynaga (Ty Haas 63'); Shane Donovan (Johann Ortiz 77'), Tega Ikoba (Kashan Hines 63'), Missael Rodriguez

Subs Not Used: Jacob Molinaro, Luca Antongirolami, Jack Francka, Zane Wantland

LAFC 2: Benjamin Failla; Josh Santiago (Travis Babineau 46'), Christian Diaz (C), Erick Diaz, Emir Ponciano (Skylar Kaplan 72'); Decarlo Guerra (Eduardo Villeda 72'), Lisandro Torres (Liam Lambert 64'), Sebastian Nava; Charlie Kosakoff, Marius Omotoye Aiyenero (Nathan Mardaresco 64'), Ernesto Rodriguez

Subs Not Used: Mark Gamez, Giuliano Whitchurch, Jacob Machuca 

Scoring Summary:

LAFC - Sebastian Nava 4 (Charlie Kosakoff) 12'
LAFC - Emir Ponciano 1 (Lisandro Torres) 23'
SKC - Ty Haas 2 (Unassisted) 76'

Misconduct Summary:

LAFC - Josh Santiago (Yellow Card; Unsporting Conduct) 10'
SKC - Trevor Burns (Yellow Card; Unsporting Conduct) 34'
SKC - Kashan Hines (Yellow Card; Unsporting Conduct) 88'
SKC - Pierre Lurot (Yellow Card; Unsporting Conduct) 90'

Referee: Austin Cozzi
Assistant Referee: Emmanuel Padilla
Assistant Referee: Conrado Garcia
Fourth Official: Kevin Pantaleon