Sporting Kansas City II, Lawrence’s professional soccer team, has kicked off the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season at Rock Chalk Park with exhilarating back-to-back wins. After defeating Austin FC II in penalty kicks in the team’s 2023 home opener, they dispatched LAFC 2 by way of a thrilling 2-1 victory. Following that up, they trounced long-time foes Real Monarchs 4-0 on the road thanks to four different goal scorers, including defender Lucas Rosa who took home Goal of Matchday 4 honors. 

Sporting KC II win

This early in the season, a handful of key figures have emerged for SKC II, including Spanish forward Pau Vidal, who has scored in three straight matches, ranking fourth in the league with three goals. Fellow forward Andrew Draper currently ranks second in MLS NEXT Pro with three assists. Sporting Kansas City Academy product Sebastian Cruz, who returned to his hometown team ahead of the 2023 season, netted his first professional goal against Real Monarchs and tallied an assist, continuing a hot start to his professional career. 

Sporting KC II player

Led by United States Men’s National Team staple Benny Feilhaber and two-time MLS Defender of the Year Ike Opara, SKC II’s bolstered roster has them in contention as one of the top teams in the League. Already cracking the Top 10 in the MLS NEXT Pro power rankings after starting the season unranked, SKC II is ready to take on the challenging Frontier Division of the Western Conference, which features five teams in the top 10, including all three of the top three teams. 

Rock Chalk Park Sporting KC II

SKC II is on the road this week, taking on FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday at 6 p.m. CT with a livestream on MLSNEXTPro.com. They will return to Rock Chalk Park on Sunday, April 30, to face their bitter rivals Houston Dynamo 2, at 7 p.m. CT.

Thanks to Central Bank of the Midwest, you have the exclusive opportunity to attend the SKC II match for free. All you have to do is click here to reserve your seats, come out to Rock Chalk Park, and enjoy watching the Sporting KC of the future. 

See you at the next match!