FC Wichita falls to Kaw Valley 3-0

FC Wichita's Kevin Black dribbles down the field in the second half in Saturday's season opener at Trinity Academy in Wichita, Kansas. [Photo: Duane Wilkinson]

WICHITA, KANSAS— Kaw Valley scored twice in the first half and added a third one late in the match as FC Wichita dropped their first ever match in the United Soccer League Two. 

FC Wichita and the USL 2 announced in January 2021 and it's been a long wait for the club who was one of the most successful at the NPSL level to move up to the USL 2. 

While FC Wichita had their opportunities, already pressing inside the Kaw Valley box to start the match, it was Kaw Valley's Collin Innes who found the first goal of the match in the 33rd minute. Innes found a ball in front of the net on a corner kick. He was able to put it by the Wichita keeper for the match's first goal.

Eight minutes later, Kaw Valley struck again. This time it was Vinicius Riberio who found the back of the net. He carved his way down the left flank, getting an opening and putting it in the lower left corner for the 2-0 lead.

FC Wichita trailed 2-0 at halftime.

Kaw Valley's Kevin Komodi added in a third goal in the 81st minute on a penalty kick to cap the night's scoring. 

"It was a tough night for us," FC Wichita Head Coach Bryan Perez said. "We'll get back to training and get better for our next match."

On the night, FC Wichita had eight shots and committed eight fouls. Kaw Valley had four shots and 12 fouls. 

FC Wichita goal keeper Walid Birrou had two saves.

That next match comes in only 48 hours after their loss to Kaw Valley. FC Wichita heads to Saint Louis, Missouri for a Monday match against St. Louis Scott Gallagher at 7 p.m. 

Unfortunately, there will be no stream. You can follow FC Wichita on Facebook and on Twitter for game updates.

NOTES: The game was played at Trinity Academy in Wichita due to the NJCAA Region tournaments being played at Stryker Soccer Complex... Tonight's game was the first formal match between Kaw Valley (based out of Lawrence) and FC Wichita... 16-year old FC Wichita Academy Player Cade Martin checked in 75th minute... Saturday's match against Kaw ValIey was the first league match since July 6, 2019 when FC Wichita played Ozark FC in the NPSL regular season finale... In the 53rd minute, Kaw Valley's Jordan Salt was given a second yellow card, giving FC Wichita a man advantage for the remainder of the match.