 Hassani Dotson dribbles by SKC's Roger Espinoza last week. Photo by Brad Rempel, USA Today Sports. Former Reds stars Khiry Shelton and Hassani Dotson faced off as Major League Soccer returned to action, while we had plenty of alums see the pitch in the United Soccer Leagues. KHIRY SHELTON – SPORTING KANSAS CITY (MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER) In Sporting Kansas City’s first game back after the MLS is Back tournament last Friday, Shelton returned to the starting lineup from injury and played 72 minutes at striker as his team prevailed over former Red Hassani Dotson’s Minnesota United FC by a score of 2-1. His only shot was off target and he also drew a foul, leaving the field with his team ahead on the scoreboard.  Shelton controls the ball against Houston. Photo by Scott Winters, Getty Images. In SKC’s game on Tuesday, they were denied points in a 5-2 loss to the Houston Dynamo. Shelton began the game on the bench and by the time he entered in the 58th minute, his side was already down 4-2. He had one off-target shot and drew one foul. Despite the loss, Sporting Kansas City remains firmly in first place in the Western Conference with 15 points from seven games played. HASSANI DOTSON – MINNESOTA UNITED FC (MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER) After MNUFC’s semifinal run in the MLS is Back tournament, Dotson remained in the starting lineup in regular MLS action, however this time it was in the midfield as his side fell to SKC, 2-1. Dotson could’ve had two goals but was denied by Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia each time. On the first, he hit a fabulous volley from the top of the area in the 26th minute, but Melia made a flying save to tip over. Just after the restart, his header was parried away by a diving Melia. He was shaken up a bit while drawing a yellow card foul from Alan Pulido in the 76th minute and was subbed off a few minutes later. For his efforts, Dotson was named MNUFC’s Man of the Match for the second time this month. Dotson and Minnesota United FC will try to get back to winning ways this Saturday against FC Dallas.  Dotson leaps for a header against Sporting Kansas City. Photo by Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune. RICKY LOPEZ-ESPIN – FORT LAUDERDALE CF (USL LEAGUE ONE) In a bit of a rare occurrence, Lopez-Espin did not score this past Saturday as Fort Lauderdale CF lost to first-placed Greenville Triumph SC, 1-0. The forward’s best chance came in the 34th minute when his low shot from the right side skimmed by the far post. He won three duels, had two off-target shots, and created one chance, while winning one foul and contributing three clearances in defense. Lopez-Espin was unsurprisingly named to the USL League One Team of the Week last week after scoring three goals. Fort Lauderdale CF are on bye this week and will return to action on Saturday, September 5 against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. JARET TOWNSEND – SPORTING KANSAS CITY II (USL CHAMPIONSHIP) Townsend and SKC II got back on the winning track with a 3-0 win over OKC Energy FC on Saturday. The striker came on as a late substitute in the 81st minute and helped his squad see out the win, contributing two duels and two tackles won. He made a nice run down the right wing on a counter-attack in the 89th minute as SKC II looked to put the nail in the coffin, but his low cross for teammate Domink Resetar was cut out by a sliding defender at the last moment. Next up for Sporting Kansas City II is FC Tulsa this Saturday. KYLE COFFEE – REAL MONARCHS SLC (USL CHAMPIONSHIP) Real Monarchs SLC lost to New Mexico United for the second time in a week, this time by a score of 2-1. Coffee started on the front line and played 70 minutes, completing 85% of his passes but unable to get on the scoresheet. Coffee and Real Monarchs SLC next face off against El Paso Locomotive FC this Saturday. NICK MOON – INDY ELEVEN (USL CHAMPIONSHIP) Indy Eleven suffered their third loss of the season last weekend, a 1-0 defeat to Louisville City FC. Forward Nick Moon played the entire match at striker but was unable to help his team earn any points. Moon’s best chance came in the 55th minute as his low shot from 20 yards flashed wide of the right post. He later played a nice through ball to forward partner Tyler Pasher, but Pasher’s shot was also off target. These two clubs will have a rematch on Saturday, September 5th in Indianapolis, as Indy Eleven will look to maintain its hold on first place over Louisville in Group E. AKEEM WARD – NORTH CAROLINA FC (USL CHAMPIONSHIP) Ward and his NCFC teammates were blanked for the third straight game, this time falling to in-state rivals Charlotte Independence 1-0 on a sensational goal by Rey Ortiz. Ward started at left back and played the full 90 minutes, completing over 88% of his passes. He was a stalwart in defense, winning 9 of his 12 duels, making four interceptions and two clearances, and winning two tackles. NCFC will look to get back to winning ways this Saturday when they host Memphis 901 FC. OTHERS
Goalkeeper Luis Barraza was on the bench behind starter Sean Johnson in NYCFC’s 1-0 loss to city rivals New York Red Bulls last Thursday, with the lone goal coming on a howler from Johnson. However, he was not on the team sheet in his side’s 1-0 win over Columbus on Monday. Will Seymore again missed out for Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division due to a lingering hamstring issue, but his side beat Dundalk 3-1 last Saturday. Comments are closed.
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