With more than 30 shutouts and 400 saves in the opening weeks of the 2020 Championship season, some of the league’s top shot-stoppers and outstanding newcomers have made an impressive start to the campaign.
Count Sporting Kansas City II goalkeeper Brooks Thompson among them.
The 18-year-old Sporting KC Academy product and Indiana native is one of five finalists for USL Championship Fans' Choice Save of the Month honors. Fan voting is now open on USLChampionship.com and will continue through Monday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. CT.
In Sporting KC II's narrow 2-1 defeat to Indy Eleven on July 18, Thompson produced a dazzling save at point-blank range to deflect the ball onto the crossbar and deny Nick Moon. That save is up against four others in the online voting poll, with a winner to be announced next week.
Thompson and Sporting KC II avenged the loss to Indy by returning to Lucas Oil Stadium exactly two weeks later and claiming a 1-0 triumph. Thompson made four saves in the winning effort en route to USL Championship Team of the Week accolades.
Currently occupying third place in Group E of the USL Championship with seven points and a 2-3-1 record, Sporting KC II will resume their busy campaign Wednesday by visiting three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Louisville City FC at Lynn Family Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT with a live stream on ESPN Plus.
Led by head coach and former Sporting Kansas City great Paulo Nagamura, Sporting II are currently amidst a three-game road unbeaten streak, having beaten Indy and Louisville before drawing Saint Louis FC by a 1-1 scoreline on Wednesday. The club will play nine of its final 10 regular season fixtures away from home, with the lone home contest slated for Aug. 22 against OKC Energy FC at Swope Soccer Village.
