Wan Kuzain scored his third goal of the season for CITY2
St Louis CITY2 played to a 1-1 draw against San Jose Earthquakes II at PayPal Park on Sunday night but failed to pick up the extra point in shootouts after falling 4-2. Ousseni Bouda scored the opener for the home team before Wan Kuzain found the equalizer in the second half for CITY2.
The match started with intensity as both teams looked to get on the scoresheet early. After coming close on several occasions, San Jose Earthquakes II broke the deadlock in the 26th minute through Ousseni Bouda, who slotted home a through ball from Oscar Verhoeven. CITY2’s Eric Walker limited the damage in the first half, recording four saves to keep his team within reach of an equalizer.
CITY2 controlled the tempo at the start of the second half as they searched for the equalizer. CITY2 midfielder Max Schneider powered a freekick on frame at the hour-mark, forcing a save from San Jose’s goalkeeper. CITY2 found the equalizer in the 64th minute through Wan Kuzain after he finished off lovely team play, with midfielder Faysal Bettache grabbing the assist.
CITY2 continued to push for the go-ahead and was almost rewarded when John Klein scored in the 68th minute, but the goal was negated after he was ruled offside. CITY2 created the better chances throughout the second half, but a combination of good goalkeeping and narrow misses forced the game to shootouts from the penalty spot.
CITY2 had to settle for the point on the night, falling 4-2 in shootouts from the penalty spot. CITY2 sits in 10th place in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference standings.
With the goal, Wan Kuzain found the back of the net for third time this season, while Bettache notched his second assist of the season.
UP NEXT
CITY2 kicks off against LAFC2 at CITYPARK at 7:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, July 29.
STARTING LINEUP
Eric Walker, Sergio Rivas, Michael Wentzel ©, Josh Maher (Tyson Pearce 70’), Ezra Armstrong, Max Schneider, Braydon Sellers (Dida Armstrong 46’), Wan Kuzain, Faysal Bettache (Nolan McGuire 88’), Caden Glover (Mykhi Joyner 73’), John Klein
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED:
Nick Bishop, Zach Stanton, Brian Franco, Ryley Gibbs, Stanislav Koval
