Pair of Newcomers Score as No. 18 Roos Draw with No. 5 Mustangs in Season Opener

Thursday, August 21

Dallas, TX

7:00 PM

Kansas City

0-0-1, 0-0-0

Southern Methodist

0-0-1, 0-0-0

Kansas City

SMU

Photo by: Justin Kaplan

Pair of Newcomers Score as No. 18 Roos Draw with No. 5 Mustangs in Season Opener

8/21/2025 10:52:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Highlights

Mariano Beunza and Wade Muttitt found the back of the net, giving KC a result against a top-ranked opponent

DALLAS - No. 18 Kansas City Men's Soccer (0-0-1) entered the 2025 season with a chance to sharpen its teeth against one of the best teams in the nation on Thursday evening, taking on fifth-ranked SMU (0-0-1) on the road. The teams went blow-for-blow in the season opener, scoring four goals in the second half en route to a 2-2 draw.

After bringing in a signing class of 15 players this offseason, Head Coach Ryan Pore was unafraid to get fresh blood on the pitch. There were five newcomers in the starting lineup, including goal-scorers Mariano Beunza and Wade Muttitt and freshman keeper Marc Popow.

A lightning delay postponed the start of the match by just over 30 minutes, but the action could only be fended off for so long. Both sides felt each other out to begin the match, playing the first half to a 0-0 draw.

The Roos began to find a stride towards the end of the first, beginning in the 39th minute when Jeremy Francou connected with Raphael Kistmann in front of the goal mouth for a header that curled just outside of the post. Francou let a couple of shots rip himself in the final two minutes of the half, including a counterattack that set the tone for KC's offense the rest of the way.

The start of the second half queued the start of an offensive explosion, beginning in the 47th minute. Gabriele Galluccio wove his way through the second line of SMU's defense, perfectly placing a through ball as bodies collapsed in on him. Beunza took a touch, turned and fired a shot from 12 yards out, blasting it into the left-side netting for the opening goal.

Counterattacks then became the primary source of the Roos' offensive opportunity, the most dangerous of which came in the 57th minute. The Mustangs sent a free kick into the box, bouncing around before Galluccio poked it out towards midfield. Muttitt beat an SMU defender to the ball, then beat the keeper to the second touch, leaving nothing but green grass between him and an easy finish for the two-goal lead.

Down by a pair of goals, the Mustangs began to pick up the pace, challenging Popow with four shots on goal in the second half. Popow made four saves on the night, but SMU were able to find the back of the net in the 59th and 82nd minute, forcing the Roos to settle for a draw.

Galluccio began his sophomore campaign with a two-assist night after tallying just three total last season. He is the first Kansas City player to log two assists in a season opener since Eric McWoods did so in a 3-0 victory over Central Arkansas on Aug. 25, 2017.

Kansas City set a standard last year, picking up a program-record three wins against top-25 ranked opponents. Now, the Roos have logged results against top-five opponents in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.

Another challenge awaits the Roos on Monday evening, taking on No. 24 Missouri State in a rematch of last season's NCAA Tournament Second Round game. KC will look to protect the Durwood Soccer Stadium turf in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, tickets are available at kcroos.com/MSOCtix.