Johnny Russell scored the MLS club's lone goal as Sporting Kansas City fell to USL Championship side Phoenix Rising, 2-1, in the club’s penultimate preseason match Wednesday night at Casino Arizona Field in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Russell opened the scoring in the 56th minute, latching onto a Jaylin Lindsey cross and burying his second goal of the preseason.
The USL Championship side equalized 10 minutes later when Santi Moar settled a Joey Calistri through ball and clinically finished under the crossbar from the edge of the 18-yard box.
The Phoenix Rising winner came in the 78th minute off a defensive gaffe as Calistri intercepted Tim Melia’s attempted pass to a defender and easily scored over the goalkeeper.
SKC close out their preseason slate against the New York Red Bulls Saturday at Kino North Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.
Goals
- 56’ — SKC — Johnny Russell
- 66’ — PHX — Santi Moar
- 78’ — PHX — Joey Calistri
Lineups
Sporting Kansas City, starting lineup (4-3-3): Richard Sanchez (46' Tim Melia) – Jaylin Lindsey, Botond Barath, Graham Smith (46' Kaveh Rad), Amadou Dia – Camden Riley, Jake Davis, Cameron Duke – Johnny Russell, Erik Hurtado, Gerso Fernandes
Sporting KC, 60th min (4-3-3): Tim Melia – Graham Zusi, Roberto Puncec, Matt Besler, Luis Martins – Ilie Sanchez, Roger Espinoza, Gadi Kinda – Khiry Shelton, Alan Pulido, Daniel Salloi
