Sporting Kansas City II defender Lucas Rosa and his upper-90 missle of a goal have been nominated for MLS NEXT Pro Goal of Matchday 24 after the Brazilian's banger helped Sporting KC II come from behind to defeat Austin FC II on Friday at Parmer Field at St. David's Performance Center. Rosa's third goal of the season is also his second nominee for Goal of the Matchday after he took home Goal of Matchday Four honors for an unreal volley he hammered home at Real Monarchs on April 14.
The 26-year-old's bast will face off against Tacoma Defiance's Frank Daroma, Crown Legacy FC's Joao Pedro and New England Revolution II's Joshua Bolma in a poll on X that will last for 24 hours to determine this week's winner.
Rosa, a rookie right back out of the University of Pittsburgh has been one of the most consistent players on SKC II this season. He is the only member of the team to appear in every single match and leads the team in matches played (24), matches started (20) and minutes played (1893). He leads all SKC II defenders in both goals and assists, tallying three of each in 2023.
After coming on as a halftime substitute against ATX II, Rosa helped spark a second-half comeback with his finish that evened the score at one. Four minutes later, SKC II took the lead and held on to hand Austin just their second home defeat this season. The group earned a massive three points on the road, propelling them eight points clear of the Western Conference Playoff line.
Sporting KC II and Rosa will close out a two-match road swing on Sunday when they take on LA Galaxy II at Dignity Health Sports Park. The match will kick off at 9 p.m. CT and can be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. SKC II can secure a spot in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs with a win and help elsewhere around the league as well. They will then return home to take on Chicago Fire II in the club's penultimate regular season home match and the return to Children's Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village. Tickets are on sale for just $10 at SeatGeek.com and kids under 12 will still receive free admission.
