![Sporting Kansas City II](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/teams/resized/uslc_sporting_kansascityii20-200.png)
Sporting KC II Returns to Rock Chalk Park to Take on Ventura County FC on Sunday
March 22, 2024 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Sporting Kansas City II News Release
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: @VCFutbolClub
Instagram: @venturacountyfc
• Discuss this story on the MLS NEXT Pro message board...
MLS NEXT Pro Stories from March 22, 2024
- Preview: Chattanooga FC Looks to Build on Thrilling MLS NEXT Pro Opener - Chattanooga FC
- Huntsville City FC Earns 1-1 Draw in Home Opener against Orlando City B - Huntsville City Football Club
- Huntsville City Football Club Earns 1-1 Draw in Home Opener Against Orlando City B - Huntsville City Football Club
- Orlando City B Draws 1-1 with Huntsville City FC - Orlando City B
- Sporting KC II Signs Jacob Molinaro to MLS NEXT Pro Amateur Contract - Sporting Kansas City II
- Chicago Fire FC II to Face Forward Madison in Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Chicago Fire FC II
- Atlanta United 2 Announces Date Changes for Matches against Crown Legacy FC and Philadelphia Union II - Atlanta United 2
- Philadelphia Union II Announce Schedule Change - Philadelphia Union II
- Ventura County FC to Play Host to Irvine Zeta FC in Second Round of 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, April 3 - Ventura County FC
- Colorado Rapids 2 to Host Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in Second Round of U.S. Open Cup - Colorado Rapids 2
- New York Red Bulls II Scheduled to Face New York City FC II in Second Round of 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - New York Red Bulls II
- New York City FC II to Face New York Red Bulls II in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - New York City FC II
- MNUFC2 to Host Michigan Stars FC in Second Round of U.S. Open Cup - Minnesota United FC 2
- Houston Dynamo FC Travel to Colorado and Dynamo 2 Face LAFC2 on the Road - Houston Dynamo 2
- Chicago Fire FC II Signs Defender Jean Alpha Diouf - Chicago Fire FC II
- Sporting KC II Returns to Rock Chalk Park to Take on Ventura County FC on Sunday - Sporting Kansas City II
- Chicago Fire FC II Signs Defender Juan Miguel Calle - Chicago Fire FC II
- FC Cincinnati 2 Face First Road Test of the Season against Chattanooga FC - FC Cincinnati 2
- FC Cincinnati 2 Sign Defender Gaël Gibert to MLS NEXT Pro Contract - FC Cincinnati 2
- Ventura County FC Gets Past Irvine Zeta FC II, 2-1, to Advance to Second Round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Ventura County FC
- U.S. Open Cup Recap: Colorado Rapids 2 Advances to Second Round of U.S. Open Cup After a 3-0 Win Over Azteca FC - Colorado Rapids 2
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Sporting Kansas City II Stories
- Sporting KC II Trounces Whitecaps FC 2 4-0 at Swangard Stadium
- Sporting KC II Takes on Whitecaps FC 2 on Saturday at Swangard Stadium
- Sporting KC II Suffers 2-0 Defeat at Home Against Austin FC II
- Sporting KC II Faces Austin FC II at Children's Mercy Victory Field in Sunday Evening Matchup
- Sporting KC II Announces Match against Austin FC II on Sunday, August 18 to be Played at Children's Mercy Victory Field in Kansas City, Missouri
![Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/sc_400w_tag.png)
![OurSports Central](https://www.oursportscentral.com/assets/img/footer-logo-latest.png)