Match Report | St Louis CITY2 Beats Sporting Kansas City II for First Win of 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Season

LAWRENCE, KS (March 31, 2024) - St Louis CITY2 came from behind to defeat Sporting Kansas City II and pick up the team’s first win of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. Following a scoreless first half, the hosts took the lead through a goal from Maouloune Goumballe in the 51st minute. CITY2, however, responded just minutes later, as midfielder Seth Antwi looped in a ball to midfielder John Klein, who slotted home the equalizer. In the 65th minute, CITY2 capped off the come-from-behind effort, pressuring the SKC II defense to force an own goal and take a 2-1 lead. 

Postgame Notes 

• John Klein scored his second goal of the season

• Dating back to last season, Klein now has nine goals over his last 12 regular season matches

• Seth Antwi recorded the first goal contribution of his professional career with his assist on Klein’s goal

• CITY2 added to its undefeated all-time record against Sporting Kansas City II, moving to 3-0-3 in six all-time meetings with the win

• CITY2 came from behind to earn points for the second consecutive match (1-1 draw versus North Texas SC last weekend)

Goal-Scoring Plays 

SKC: Maouloune Goumballe (Jonathan Robinson) -- Maouloune Goumballe scored with left footed shot from the center of the box.

STL: John Klein (Seth Antwi) -- John Klein scored with right footed shot from the center of the box.

STL: Ethan Bryant (own goal) -- Own goal by Ethan Bryant.

Scoring Summary 

SKC: Maouloune Goumballe (Jonathan Robinson), 51

STL: John Klein (Seth Antwi), 54

STL: Ethan Bryant (own goal), 65

Misconduct Summary 

STL: Akil Watts (caution), 9

STL: Michael Wentzel (caution), 29

SKC: Nicholas Hategan (ejection), 31

SKC: Nati Clarke (caution), 45+1

SKC: Beto Avila (caution), 71

Lineups 

SKC: GK Ryan Schewe; D Nati Clarke, D Christopher Rindov, D Jacob Bartlett, D Jonathan Robinson (Macielo Tschantret 82’); M Kamron Habibullah (Medgy Alexandre 64’), M Jacob Swallen (Ethan Bryant 64’), M Sebastian Cruz; F Maouloune Goumballe, F Pau Vidal (Beto Avila 19’, Ethan Schaefer 82’), F Nicholas Hategan

Substitutes Not Used: GK Carlito Saylon, M Danny Flores, D Haris Alisah, D Demarre Mantoute

TOTAL SHOTS: 8; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 14; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 4

STL: GK Christian Olivares; D Akil Watts (Nolan McGuire 77’), D Michael Wentzel ©, D Gabriel Mikina (Eric Kinzner 67’), D Jayden Reid; M Seth Antwi (Tyson Pearce 64’), M Cam Cilley, M John Klein, M Wan Kuzain; F Caden Glover (Ryan Becher 64’), F Brendan McSorley (Dida Armstrong 77’)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Nick Bishop, GK Sam Gomez

TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 22; OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 2

Referee: Ricardo Fierro

Assistant Referees: Sarah Gaddes, Stephen Milhoan

Fourth Official: Jacob Larson

Venue: Rock Chalk Park

Weather: Cloudy, 81 degrees