Sporting Kansas City II forward Sebastian Cruz and defender Lucas Rosa have been nominated for MLS NEXT Pro Goal of Matchday 4 for their goals in Sporting KC II's 4-0 win over Real Monarchs on Friday, April 14 at Zions Bank Stadium. Cruz's sixth-minute strike got the scoring started and Rosa's second half, half-volley gave SKC II a two-goal advantage as they cruised to their second straight win.
The SKC II duo goes up against goals from Crown Legacy FC's David Poreba and Columbus Crew 2's Jacen Russell-Rowe for the distinction of Goal of Matchday 4. Fans can vote in the MLS NEXT Pro poll below on Twitter and voting closes tomorrow at 9:45 a.m. CT.
Cruz, a Sporting Kansas City Acadmey product, netted his first professional goal in style, firing SKC II out in front within the first 10 minutes of the contest. Cruz was played into open space by fellow winger Andrew Draper, collected himself and ripped an ambitious effort from long-range over the outstretched keeper and into the back of the net. Cruz also picked up his first professional assist against Real Monarchs, teeing up Pau Vidal's score later in the match.
The 2018 Bob Gansler SKC Academy Player of the Year, Cruz spent three terrific years at Cal State Fullerton before returning to Swope Soccer Village and Sporting KC II ahead of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season. The 22-year-old has started every match for SKC II so far this season alongside fellow nominee Lucas Rosa.
After a dominant first-half SKC II came out of the break looking for more. The breakthrough came in the form of an absolute wonder strike from Rosa in the 54th. The right back camped under a cleared set-piece outside the box and settled the ball with his chest. Wasting no time at all Rosa smashed a half-volley on a rope past the keeper and into the corner of the goal.
Sunday, April 9, Rosa picked up his first professional assist against LAFC 2 at Rock Chalk Park. He followed that performance up with this goal-scoring performance at Real Monarchs. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, the Brazilian defender enjoyed a long college career with stops at Pitt as well as Saint Francis University. Rosa came on as a trialist in SKC II's 2023 preseason presented by Central Bank, impressed the coaching staff and earned a pro contract before the start of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season.
The red-hot SKC II side wraps up a two-match road trip Sunday at FC Cincinnati 2 in the team's first-ever matchup against an Eastern Conference opponent. The contest will stream live, for free at MLSENXTPro.com and on the MLS YouTube channel with kickoff set for 6 p.m. CT. Sporting KC II will then return to Rock Chalk Park on Sunday, April 30 to close out the month against Houston Dynamo 2. Tickets are on sale at SeatGeek.com and are free to all fans under the age of 12 years old.
