New acquisition Brad Davis enjoys Sporting KC debut

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Brad Davis used to serve as a foil for The Cauldron’s shenanigans, but he’s been embraced as part of Blue Hell’s family now.

“Everybody’s been nice,” Davis said. “We’ve had some great banter obviously over the years and stuff like that, but I think we put that to bed and I look forward to moving forward with it.”

Davis, a St. Louis native who was acquired in the offseason via trade with the Houston Dynamo, made his club debut Saturday in a 2-1 win against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Children’s Mercy Park. He entered during the 77th minute for Connor Hallisey.

Davis sat out Sporting KC’s season opener last week at Seattle with a groin injury.

“It felt really good,” Davis said. “I was bumming pretty hard there when I picked up a little injury in the last game of preseason. Now, to be able to get back out with the guys here at home and in this stadium with this atmosphere, it was pretty special.”

Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes plans to bring Davis along slowly, but allowed that Saturday was a big step.

“It was good to get him out there,” Vermes said. “It was good to get his feet wet with the team, but just like the rest of the players it’s going to be a progression to bring them back in. We have a lot of games ahead of us and we have to make sure we have the full selection of the roster when the time comes.”

Midfielder Benny Feilhaber remained sidelined for a second consecutive week with an abdominal strain and forward Justin Mapp also sat out again with a lingering left toe injury.

Defender Seth Sinovic, who missed the 1-0 win last Sunday at Seattle with a strained neck, was a healthy scratch for the home opener.

Still, Davis’ return to action was a welcome sign.

“I look forward to getting some more minutes and helping out,” Davis said. “This is a special place to play and I can tell you every one of the guys in the locker room knows and they can feel it every time they step out on the field.”

Rangers remain unbeaten

Buoyed by first-half goals from Tyler Pasher, Amer Didic and Kris Tyrpak, the Swope Park Rangers rolled to a 4-1 victory Saturday in an exhibition against Rockhurst University at Swope Soccer Village.

After the Rangers went in front 2-0, Gianluca Bottoni pulled a goal back for the Hawks, who trailed 3-1 at halftime.

Mark Anthony Gonzalez iced the win with a goal midway through the second half.

This story was originally published March 13, 2016 at 7:47 AM with the headline "New acquisition Brad Davis enjoys Sporting KC debut."