Friday, September 5
Portland, OR
9:00 PM
Kansas City
2-1-2, 0-0-0
0
at
1
Portland
5-0-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Kansas City
0
0
0
Portland
1
0
1
Photo by: Josh Walker
Kansas City Drops First Game of Season at No. 24 Portland
9/5/2025 11:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The Roos were held scoreless for the first time this year in the loss
PORTLAND, Ore. - Kansas City Men's Soccer knew it would be a tall task to score against No. 24 Portland this evening, as the Pilots entered tonight's game as one of just 12 remaining teams in the nation that is yet to concede a goal. Portland's (5-0) back line proved to be insurmountable for KC (2-1-2), holding the Roos to just seven shot attempts on the night and forcing KC's first goose egg on the year in a 1-0 loss.
HIGHLIGHTS
Maintained possession in the final third was hard to come by from the jump for Kansas City, allowing three corner kicks and two shot attempts by the Pilots before Ethan Schaefer attempted KC's first shot of the night in the 20th minute. The offense remained quiet and the defense was put to work, resulting in an eventual mistake in the 36th minute as a ball slipped by keeper Marc Popow and allowed an easy goal for Portland's Anton Hjalmarsson, the eventual game-winner.
The rest of the first half resulted in an uptick of pressure by the Roos as Raphael Kistmann entered in the 37th minute and immediately got in on the action, ripping a shot from the left side of the box and forcing the Pilots' Miguel-Angel Hernandez to make a save for the first time on the night. Guille Munoz looked for space in the closing minutes of the first half as well, but his shot attempt was blocked away.
Second half action resulted in more of the same for the Roos, building some possession but lacking the final connection. A glimmer of light showed in the 73rd minute when Portland's Efetobo Aror was shown a red card, resulting in a one-up advantage for KC the rest of the way. The Roos were able to convert that advantage into a few opportunities, namely a pair of headers by Wesley Cribb in the 84th and the 90th minutes. Neither attempt found the back of the net and KC was forced to leave Merlo Field with its first defeat of the season.
The Roos are back in action on their home turf on Tuesday, taking on Drake in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Durwood Soccer Stadium.
HIGHLIGHTS
Maintained possession in the final third was hard to come by from the jump for Kansas City, allowing three corner kicks and two shot attempts by the Pilots before Ethan Schaefer attempted KC's first shot of the night in the 20th minute. The offense remained quiet and the defense was put to work, resulting in an eventual mistake in the 36th minute as a ball slipped by keeper Marc Popow and allowed an easy goal for Portland's Anton Hjalmarsson, the eventual game-winner.
The rest of the first half resulted in an uptick of pressure by the Roos as Raphael Kistmann entered in the 37th minute and immediately got in on the action, ripping a shot from the left side of the box and forcing the Pilots' Miguel-Angel Hernandez to make a save for the first time on the night. Guille Munoz looked for space in the closing minutes of the first half as well, but his shot attempt was blocked away.
Second half action resulted in more of the same for the Roos, building some possession but lacking the final connection. A glimmer of light showed in the 73rd minute when Portland's Efetobo Aror was shown a red card, resulting in a one-up advantage for KC the rest of the way. The Roos were able to convert that advantage into a few opportunities, namely a pair of headers by Wesley Cribb in the 84th and the 90th minutes. Neither attempt found the back of the net and KC was forced to leave Merlo Field with its first defeat of the season.
The Roos are back in action on their home turf on Tuesday, taking on Drake in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Durwood Soccer Stadium.
Team Stats
MKC
POR
Goals
0
1
Shots
7
11
Shots on Goal
2
2
Saves
1
2
Corners
6
6
Fouls
11
10
Scoring Plays
Anton Hjalmarsson (1)
GOAL by POR Hjalmarsson, Anton.
35:42
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's SoccerD/MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerMen's Soccer Highlights at No. 24 Portland
Friday, September 05
Postgame Interview: Coach Pore post-Portland
Friday, September 05
Postgame Interview: Coach Pore post-NIU
Monday, September 01
Postgame Interview: Jeremy Francou post-NIU
Monday, September 01