
Sporting KC II Signs SKC Academy Defender Zane Wantland to Professional Contract
Published on May 8, 2026 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Sporting Kansas City II News Release
Sporting Kansas City II announced today that the club has signed Sporting KC Academy defender Zane Wantland to a professional contract ahead of Sunday's game against Colorado Rapids 2.
Wantland has amassed 19 MLS NEXT Pro appearances and 14 starts as an Academy Amateur after making his debut on March 23, 2025, as a second half substitute. He has tallied two assists so far this season, tied for the team lead.
Sporting KC II 2026 Roster (as of Friday, April 8)
Goalkeepers (1): Jacob Molinaro
Defenders (5): Alex Cunningham, Mitch Ferguson, Pierre Lurot, Daniel Russo, Zane Wantland
Midfielders (5): Trevor Burns, Zamir Loyo Reynaga, Blaine Mabie, Gael Quintero, Johann Ortiz
Forwards (3): Shane Donovan, Tega Ikoba, Missael Rodriguez
A graduate of the Center of Excellence, Wantland was born in Lee's Summit Missouri and joined the Sporting KC Academy full time in 2018. The versatile, left-footed, outside back has repped the Sporting KC U-12s all the way up to the U-19s. The 17-year-old was also a key contributor to the 2024 SKC U-17s' success, helping guide the group to the GA Cup and MLS NEXT Cup Playoff quarterfinals.
Under the guidance of now SKC II head coach Lee Tschantret, Wantland helped the U-19s win back-to-back regular season UPSL titles in the fall of 2023 and Spring of 2024. After debuting in March 2025, he started five of nine appearances in MLS NEXT Pro in 2025. He has taken a step forward this year, already starting nine matches at left back and compiling two assists in his last four starts.
Wantland will be with Sporting KC II when they take on Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday night at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park. The game is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. CT and can be streamed in the OneFootball App and on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Zane Wantland
Position: Defender
Birthdate: 08/23/2007 (18 years old)
Height: 5-8
Weight: 160
Hometown: Lee's Summit, Missouri
Citizenship: USA
Instagram: @official_zane007
MLS NEXT Pro Stories from May 8, 2026
- Colorado Rapids 2 and Sporting KC II Meet Again in Second Matchup of the Season - Colorado Rapids 2
- Sporting KC II Signs SKC Academy Defender Zane Wantland to Professional Contract - Sporting Kansas City II
- Toronto FC II Drop School Day Match to Red Bull New York II - Toronto FC II
- Toronto FC II (1) - Red Bull New York II (2) Postgame Summary - Toronto FC II
- Sporting KC II Takes on Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday in First Road Match Since April 10 - Sporting Kansas City II
- New York City FC II Acquire Defender Joāo Loiola on Loan Through 2026 Season - New York City FC II
- Philadelphia Union II to Host Next Four Home Matches at WSFS Bank Sportsplex - Philadelphia Union II
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Other Recent Sporting Kansas City II Stories
- Sporting KC II Signs SKC Academy Defender Zane Wantland to Professional Contract
- Sporting KC II Takes on Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday in First Road Match Since April 10
- Sporting KC II Suffers 2-0 Home Defeat to Ventura County FC
- Sporting KC II Closes out Four-Game Homestand in Midweek Match against Ventura County
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