(February 7, 2023) - Sporting Kansas City II has announced that for a third consecutive season, the team will play MLS NEXT Pro home matches at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas, and Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri, for the 2024 season.
Rock Chalk Park will host a majority of Sporting KC II home matches from the beginning of the season in March through mid-August. The club will play all remaining MLS NEXT Pro home matches at Children’s Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village.
SKC II, one of 21 original members of MLS NEXT Pro, will begin the 2024 preseason presented by Central Bank on Monday as they prepare for their third season in MLS NEXT Pro. The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro schedule will be announced Thursday with tickets going on sale immediately following the release.
In 2023, Rock Chalk Park saw SKC II earn results in 10 of 12 matches in Lawrence, including three shootout wins, taking 27 out of a possible 36 points. A thrilling experience for all fans, Sporting KC II netted 29 goals while conceding just 14. Rock Chalk Park also hosted the team’s first postseason match since 2018.
Considered one of the most pristine soccer facilities in the Big 12 Conference, Rock Chalk Park opened in 2014 and hosts the KU soccer, track and field, softball and tennis teams. Conveniently located near the conjunction of I-70 and K-10, the natural grass surface proved to be a fortress for SKC II last season.
The stadium features a players’ lounge, athletic training room, equipment room and multi-level press box for broadcasts and media members. Sporting KC II and the University of Kansas sports management program will continue to work closely together, providing students with real-world experiences on matchdays.
Led by head coach Benny Feilhaber and assistant coach Ike Opara, both long-time Sporting KC fan-favorites and U.S. Men’s National Team players, Sporting KC II will feature MLS players on loan from Sporting Kansas City, top Sporting KC Academy prospects in the pro player pathway and a core of MLS NEXT Pro players.
Current SKC II Roster (as of February 7, 2023):
- Defenders (3): Nati Clarke, Kortne Ford, Coby Jones
- Midfielders (4): Haris Alisah, Ethan Bryant, Sebastian Cruz, Jake Swallen
- Forwards (2): Roberto Hategan, Pau Vidal
Sporting KC II will return to Swope Soccer Village in September for the remainder of the MLS NEXT Pro season. Children’s Mercy Victory Field hosted the club’s first two seasons in 2016 and 2017 as the team won back-to-back USL Championship Western Conference titles. The team returned to Swope for two matches last season, securing a third-place Western Conference finish with a shootout win over st. louis city2 on MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day.
With preseason fast approaching and the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season not far behind it, SKC II is looking to improve upon a superb second season in the league. Fans can track the progress of the team and players by following SKC II on X and Instagram and checking SportingKC.com/SKCII. Tickets for all home matches will be available at SeatGeek.com on Thursday following the full release of the 2024 schedule.
