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Sporting’s Busio impresses in 6-1 USMNT win

Midfielder Gianluca Busio started his first match for the U.S. men’s national team and earned his first assist with a cross to Nicholas Gioacchini late in the 6-1 victory over Martinique. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

7,500 soccer fans stayed up late Thursday night at Children’s Mercy Park to watch the United States men’s national soccer team defeat Martinique 6-1 in a Gold Cup group stage match. The win sets up a showdown with rival Canada in the final game of the group stage on Sunday.

The match was the first national team start for Sporting Kansas City fan favorite Gianluca Busio. The 19-year-old midfielder posted his first national team assist, and nearly his first goal.

Busio featured prominently in the game, getting cheers from the crowd with each touch. He took all the corner and set piece kicks for the squad and kept a tight rein on the action in the center of the pitch.

Daryl Dike scored first for the U.S. in the 15th minute, heading in the ball off a pass from Matthew Hoppe.

Eight minutes later, Busio came within a few inches of his first international goal but banged his shot off the crossbar. A Martinique defender vainly attempted to flip away the rebound but scored an own goal to put the U.S. ahead by 2.

Miles Robinson’s header put the U.S. ahead 3-0 in the 49th minute, and Dike earned a brace in the 59th minute by chipping the ball over Martinique’s onrushing goalkeeper.

Martinique got a few dangerous chances on counterattacks midway through the second half, and clawed back a goal in the 64th minute on a penalty kick.

Busio earned his assist on the final goal of the match. He got the ball near the right corner of the penalty area and pushed up the side of the box. His cross found Nicholas Gioacchini 6 yards out from the mouth of the goal for an easy finish and a 6-1 win.

The win assures the U.S. team of advancing to the knockout stage of the tournament, but winning the group and a more advantageous seed will be theirs with a win over Canada on Sunday at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. The game will kick off at 4 p.m.

Martinique defender Gerald Dondon slid in to prevent forward Gyasi Zardes from taking a shot. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Cristian Roldan crossed the ball from near the Martinique endline. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Martinique defender Samuel Camille attempted to block a shot from defender Shaq Moore. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Gianluca Busio took a corner kick in the first half. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Martinique defender Samuel Camille’s misdirected flip resulted in an own goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Daryl Dike lofted the ball high over goalkeeper Gilles Meslien for his second goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Despite the 9 p.m. start time, young fans showed up enthusiastic for the team. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Defender Walker Zimmerman hurdled prone Martinique defender Samuel Camille to extend his attack. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Canadian winger Junior Hoilett scored on a penalty kick in Canada’s 4-1 win over Haiti immediately preceding the U.S.-Martinique match. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Piper, Sumner, Eisenhower former players join forces to benefit Morris Letcher

A fundraiser for Morris Letcher is planned on Saturday, June 26.

by Brian Turrel

Eisenhower Middle School in Kansas City, Kansas, will be the site for the inaugural Morris Letcher Basketball Classic. The event starts at noon on Saturday, June 26.

Proceeds from admissions and merchandise sales will go to benefit KCK Assistant Fire Chief Morris Letcher and his family. Letcher was incapacitated by a series of medical issues, including a stroke, in early and mid-2020.

In addition to his longtime service as a firefighter, Letcher was a basketball coach for many years at Eisenhower Middle School, Sumner Academy, and Piper High School. The basketball game will be played by Letcher’s former players from each school.

In addition to the basketball game, the event will feature performances from music artists Jooby Truth and AyEl, along with DJ Mr. Skilled Hands (LaDale Beason) and Tha Goonez.

Vendors will include fashion label KCK Legends with local-themed gear, and Kaleidoscoops with ice cream treats.

Brian “B.J.” Johnson, a former Sumner basketball player for Letcher, and now a resident of Los Angeles, learned of Letcher’s situation on a recent business trip back to Kansas City. He was determined to help, and pulled together the event in less than three weeks.

“This is to show his impact, what he’s done,” said Johnson. “As a community, we want to embrace him, and let him know he’s not alone.”

Johnson would like to see the event continue in coming years as Letcher continues his rehabilitation.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inaugural-morris-letcher-basketball-classic-tickets-160598180481. Eisenhower Middle School is located at 2901 N. 72nd St.

Hernandez maiden goal, Salloi brace sink Rapids 3-1

Midfielder Felipe Hernandez celebrated his first MLS goal in the second half of Sporting Kansas City’s 3-1 over the Colorado Rapids. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Sporting Kansas City solidified its hold on second place in the MLS Western Conference by beating the third place Colorado Rapids 3-1 at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday evening.

Daniel Salloi scored two in the first half to ensure the win, his fifth and sixth goals of the season.

The first came in the 14th minute. Johnny Russell got a pass from Jaylin Lindsey and pushed deep near the Colorado end line before teeing the ball up for a one touch strike from Salloi.

Salloi struck again in the 38th minute off a centering pass from Felipe Hernandez. Salloi played the ball to his right to clear traffic and then fired off a shot that zipped into the narrow gap between the goalkeeper and the near post.

Salloi returned the favor to Hernandez in the second half, setting him up for his first MLS goal in the 64th minute. After a lengthy build-up along the left side, Salloi played the ball off to Hernandez, who fired across the mouth of the goal and inside the far post.

Colorado clawed one goal back off a rebound off the woodwork in the 84th minute, but never became a threat to equalize.

In his post-match press conference, Salloi was determined to turn the page on last year’s goalless campaign.

“I would like to, with all due respect, ask everybody to stop talking about last year,” the Hungarian striker said. “Yes, it was bad and yes, I did not have enough confidence and now I do. So please let’s talk about this year.”

Sporting KC doesn’t have much time to relax. They play at home again on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. against Los Angeles FC.