Sporting Kansas City II defender Lucas Rosa and his upper-90, free kick finish have been nominated for MLS NEXT Pro Goal of Matchday 26, marking the third time this season the Brazilian has been nominated for Goal of the Matchday. A two-time recipient of the weekly award, Rosa has now scored four goals on the season to go along with his four assists.
The 26-year-old's set-piece rocket will face off against goals from Atlanta United 2's Jackson Conway, LAFC2's Christopher Jamie and Houston Dynamo 2's Diego Gonzalez over the next 24 hours in a poll on X to determine the winner.
After Sebastian Cruz fired Sporting KC II out in front in the sixth minute, Rosa stepped up to take a set piece just outside the 18-yard box. With the wall 10 feet away looking a little wonky, Rosa curled his effort over the top of the barrier and dipped it under the bar in an impossible spot for the keeper to save it.
"As soon as I hit it I saw the wall was a little bit lopsided," Rosa said about his free kick. I realized if I hit it over the wall it was going in, and thankfully that happened.
Rosa surpassed the 2000-minute mark on Sunday as his 2073 minutes are 503 more than the next-highest player on SKC II. He is the only member of the team to appear in every match and his 22 starts pace the team. His eight-goal contributions (4g, 4a) are the most amongst SKC II defenders and rank fifth on the team.
SKC II will be back in action on Sunday, taking on MNUFC2 at National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. The contest will kick off at 5 p.m. CT and will stream live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
