Sporting Kansas City II defender Lucas Rosa's astonishing half-volley in the second half of SKC II's 4-0 win over Real Monarchs last Friday has been MLS NEXT Pro Goal of Matchday 4. Going up against three other master-class goals, including one from teammate and forward Sebastian Cruz, Rosa's wonder strike claimed over 57% of the vote in an MLS NEXT Pro Twitter poll, beating out Cruz's terrific hit as well as goals from Crown Legacy FC's David Poreba and Columbus Crew 2's Jacen Russell-Rowe.
The Goal of Matchday 4 is also Rosa's first professional goal after the right-back picked up his first professional assist a week earlier in SKC II's 2-1 win over LAFC 2.
Sporting KC II was already ahead by one goal when Rosa made magic in the 54th minute. A set piece just beyond the 18-yard box was headed twice by the hosts and floated outside the area. Rosa got behind the bouncing ball, controlled it with his chest and ripped a short-hopped, half-volley past the outstretched keeper and into the back of the net. The SKC II technical area erupted as everyone on the sideline celebrated this jaw-dropping finish.
Rosa has become a mainstay in the SKC II backline, becoming the only defender on the team to start all four matches. He has one goal and one assist on the season after signing with the team ahead of the regular season following a successful 2023 preseason presented by Central Bank. The Brazilian is playing in his first season as a pro after a successful college career at Saint Francis University and The University of Pittsburgh.
SKC II will wrap 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.
