Sporting Kansas City II returns to Rock Chalk Park on Sunday, March 24th, for the team's 2024 home opener against Ventura County FC, the MLS NEXT Pro affiliate of the LA Galaxy. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT, with a live stream available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Tickets are on sale at SeatGeek.com for just $10 and children under 12 will receive free admission.
Fans can also follow @SportingKCII on X for live updates throughout the match.
Following a successful run to the Western Conference Quarterfinals, head coach and Sporting Legend Benny Feilhaber is ready to get his group back to Lawrence where they found lots of success in 2023. Boasting one of the league's top offenses all season, SKC II fired home 29 goals at home and earned results in 10 of 12 matches in Lawrence, including three shootout wins, taking 27 out of a possible 36 points.
Sporting KC II is fresh off a comeback victory at Houston Dynamo 2. Down a goal with eight minutes to go, former Dynamo Dos forward Beto Avila netted the equalizer before 2023 SKC II leading scorer Pau Vidal fired home the match-winner.
In the opening match, seven SKC II players made their professional debut. Goalkeeper and first-team loanee Ryan Schewe played his first pro match, making an amazing save on the doorstep and denying a penalty kick to keep Kansas City in the match. Included in the debutants were two Sporting KC Academy players Ian James and Johann Ortiz. Both players entered the match in the 58th and helped pave the way for the comeback.
Forward Sebastian Cruz started and played the whole match, firing two shots on target. One of his two shots turned into a rebound that was fired home by Avila for the leveler. Newcomer and former Earthquakes II player Roberto Hategan came off the bench to spark the attack that led to the winner.
Demarre Montoute, Jonathan Robinson, Jake Swallen and Maouloune Goumballe all made their pro debut in the season opener as well. Defender Nati Clarke started his first match on a professional contract after the Acadmey product inked a deal back in December. Clarke is in his third season with SKC II after playing two seasons on amateur deals.
Sporting KC II Roster
- Defenders (5): Nati Clarke, Kortne Ford, Demarre Montoute, Jonathan Robinson, Mason Visconti
- Midfielders (4): Haris Alisah, Ethan Bryant, Sebastian Cruz, Jake Swallen
- Forwards (6): Medgy Alexandre, Beto Avila, Maouloune Goumballe, Kamron Habibullah, Roberto Hategan, Pau Vidal
The 15 rostered players will be joined by talented Academy players on amateur contracts and first-team loanees throughout the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season.
Ventura County FC, formerly known as LA Galaxy II, is in their second season of MLS NEXT Pro. They are led by head coach Matt Taylor in his first season in charge. A year ago, the LA Galaxy second team played their innagural season of MLS NEXT Pro, finishing 5-17-6. In two meetings with the California club, SKC II won both matches, clinching a spot in the playoffs in September at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Ventura started the 2024 season on a highnote, taking down Town FC, formerly Earthquakes II 2-1. Former Sporting KC Academy player Tucker Lepley picked up an assist in the win, playing the full 90 in the midfield.
Sporting KC II and Ventura County FC kick off at 4 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 24. Fans can stream the match live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV or come out to Rock Chalk Park and see the Sporting KC of the future up close and personal.
Match Information:
MLS NEXT Pro: Matchweek 2
Date: Sunday, March 24, 2024
Kickoff: 4 p.m. CT
Location: Rock Chalk Park (Lawrence, Kansas)
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
SOCIAL TAGS:
Match-specific hashtag: #SKCvVCFC
X: @SportingKCII
Instagram: @SportingKCII
X: @VC_FutbolClub
Instagram: @ventura\_county\_fc
