[Taken from www.kwunitedfc.com]
“Kitchener, Ont. — On a hot night with the sun setting at the horizon, K-W United FC hosted internationally known Sporting Clube de Portugal in an international friendly in front of thousands of fans at Budd Park in Kitchener.
The game, featuring a coin toss by a long-time Sporting fan, a sea of green and white, enthusiastic fans and match-like conditions, held no disappointment to the spectators Wednesday night.
And after holding the lead for nearly 50 minutes, K-W United couldn’t hold on as they lost 2-1 to Sporting CP.
With a 6:30 p.m., kick off, United matched up their regular season roster, giving the PDL men a test early on. Sporting came out firing, giving goalkeeper Nathan Ingham a few tests early, but Ingham would not let anything by him as he stood tall, making beautiful saves right across the net.
In the 7th minute, Nii Plange had a chance to put the visitors up 1-0, but as his ball soared into the net, it was ruled offside.
United would get a few good chances in the first half, with Jarek Whiteman and Jay Chapman getting various balls on net. However, it wouldn’t be until the 41st minute when Jay Chapman would beat Sporting’s keeper Marvelo and put the home team ahead 1-0.
The lead would extend into the second half, when United would take the opportunity to shake up their players, allowing all substitutes an opportunity to play against Sporting CP.
Sporting’s play sped up in the second, putting various chances on new keeper Darrin MacLeod.
Finally, in the 76th minute, Filipe Chaby sent a beautiful header beyond MacLeod to tie the game up. Merely a minute later, Wilson Eduardo would finish off a nice cross and also put it in the back of the net to put Sporting up 2-1, but that would be the end result.
Jay Chapman was named man of the match for the international friendly.
K-W United would like to thank Sporting to visiting and all of the fans that were in attendance to view the PDL team as well as the international phenomena. The event was a success and pinnacle to the careers some of the players will strive for. ”
The Sporting Club of Lisbon will be playing again on Sunday in Toronto on BMO field at 3 PM against Penarol Montevideo. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster here starting at $51.25 (including taxes).
Kitchener Portuguese Club Inc. (KPCI) 