Ike Opara capped off a stellar month of June on Wednesday with the game-winning goal in a 2-0 win over Houston Dynamo in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. Opara’s goal was his fourth of the month in all competitions as Sporting KC went 4-0-2 during that span.
Opara’s four goals in June were the second most among all MLS players in all competitions, just one behind Columbus Crew midfielder Federico Higuain. He also played 90 minutes in all six of Sporting KC’s June matches as the club conceded just twice in six matches.
The 28-year-old defender is in the midst of a career year having already equaled his career high in starts in MLS play. His four goals in June showed off his wide array of talents beginning with his long range strike against Minnesota United FC on June 3. He followed that up with a header off a corner kick against Minnesota United in Open Cup play on June 14 before converting a bicycle kick goal against LA Galaxy in League play on June 24. Opara’s goal against the Galaxy was named AT&T MLS Goal of the Week on Thursday after receiving 52 percent of the vote.
Opara concluded June with Wednesday’s game-winning goal, a towering header off a corner kick that put Sporting KC ahead against the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium.
“When he opens up his account each year all of a sudden he starts to get in this role,” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. “He is in a rhythm at the moment.”
Opara’s play has not gone unnoticed on the national scene. Goal.com’s Ives Galarcep named Opara his Midseason Defender of the Year while MLSsoccer.com’s Matt Doyle bestowed the same honor on the Wake Forest product last month.
Opara is currently sixth among defenders in MLS All-Star voting. Polls close Saturday morning at 2 a.m. CT.
