Sporting Kansas City II (6-3-3, 22 points) is back on the road on Wednesday when they take on Real Monarchs (3-7-1,11 points) at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah in the first and only meeting between the two in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. The two sides split victories a year ago as the road team took all three points in both matches.
This year's rendition of SKC II vs. Real Monarchs begins at 6 p.m. CT tomorrow and can be watched for free at MLSNEXTPro.com or on the MLS YouTube Channel.
Sporting KC II will look to defend a four-match result streak in the midweek, most recently taking two points off Dynamo Dos at Rock Chalk Park on Friday night. Head coach Benny Feilhaber's group has earned eight results in their last nine matches while the Monarchs have just one result in their last five.
The current run of form is largely due to MLS NEXT Pro's most potent offense, their 28 goals, five multigoal scorers and 11 different goal scorers. Leading that charge has been midfielder/forward Kamron Habibullah. The former Whitecap has seven goals and five assists, both close to the top of the league charts. Sporting KC Academy product Sebastian Cruz also has five assists, adding three goals as well. Striker Beto Avila has five goals but is currently nursing an injury.
In the defensive third, first team loanee Chris Rindov leads the team in minutes played (1035) and is the only SKC II player with over 1000 minutes. He is one of four players to appear in every match alongside Nati Clarke, Ethan Bryant and Jake Swallen. Outside back Mason Visconti made his pro debut last Friday after signing with Sporting KC II out of the University of Kentucky. The former SKC Acadmey player picked up a knock in the preseason, but battled back and played 82 minutes in his first pro start.
On the topic of milestones, current Academy midfielder Johann Ortiz fired home his first pro goal in his first pro start. The 17-year-old had made two appearances before making his first start against Houston, tallying the equalizer in the 32nd minute. He was joined by Leo Christiano who made his 2024 debut after appearing in the club's 2023 season opener at Rapids 2 in March 2023.
Real Monarchs are led by Mark Lowry who is in his first season as the head coach of the Real Salt Lake affiliates. They currently find themselves in the basement of the Pacific Division with 11 points. Their 14 goals scored a the third-fewest in the West, however, they have four players with at least two goals. Their leading scorer is forward Matthew Bell who has three strikes in 2024 along with two assists.
Match Information:
MLS NEXT Pro: Match 13
Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Kickoff: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Zions Bank Stadium (Herriman, Utah)
Watch: MLSNEXTPro.com, MLS YouTube
SOCIAL TAGS:
Match-specific hashtag: #SLCvSKC
X: @SportingKCII
Instagram: @SportingKCII
X: @RealMonarchs
Instagram: @realmonarchs
