Sporting Kansas City II forward Alenis Vargas and his awe-inspiring, aerial volley have been nominated for MLS NEXT Pro Goal of Matchday 19 after the Honduran's score helped lift Sporting KC II past Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday at Rock Chalk Park. Vargas' second goal on the campaign is the fourth SKC II goal to be nominated for MLS NEXT Pro Goal of the Matchday.
The 19-year-old's world-class scissor kick will face off against Real Monarchs' Cayne Madhlangove, St Louis CITY2's John Klein and New York Red Bulls II's Wikelman Carmona in a Twitter poll to determine this week's winner.
Vargas signed with Sporting KC II on April third alongside fellow Fútbol Consultants Desamparados teammate Keny Martinez. After making his way to Kansas City from the Costa Rican side, Vargas earned his first start on April 23 at FC Cincinnati 2 where he picked up his first assist. The winger currently leads SKC II in the assists category, setting up five goals throughout the season.
He netted his first goal in Sporting Blue as the fifth goal of a 7-1 rout of Whitecaps FC 2 on July 2 before firing his highlight reel goal against Rapids 2 on Sunday. Vargas' seven goal contributions place him second on the team, a feat he has earned in just seven starts in 2023. The Goal of Matchday 19 nominee was the second score in a 4-0, SKC II win over Rapids 2, solidifying their spot towards the top of the Western Conference as they move six points clear of the playoff line with eight matches left in the season.
The red-hot Sporting KC II will take their three-match win streak down to Houston for a meeting with Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, Aug. 6. Fans can stream the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV or follow @SportingKCII on Twitter for updates. The team will then take on Tacoma Defiance on Wednesday, Aug. 9 before returning home to grapple with Timbers2 on Sunday, Aug. 13. Tickets for all remaining SKC II home matches are on sale at SeatGeek.com.
