The MLS NEXT Pro playoffs for 2023 have begun. The Western Conference Quarterfinals match between Sporting Kansas City II and Austin FC II on Friday night at Rock Chalk Park will get things started. SeatGeek.com is selling tickets for Sporting KC II’s much awaited postseason comeback. Admission is free for kids 12 and under. The game will be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, along with all other MLS NEXT Pro postseason contests.
Late on Sunday night, North Texas defeated Austin FC II, giving Sporting KC II the third seed in the Western Conference following an exciting Decision Day draw and shootout victory over St. Louis CITY2. Head coach Benny Feilhaber then chose ATX II as the team’s first-round opponent, bringing the Texas side back to Rock Chalk Park for the first time since April 2, thanks to the creative pick-your-opponent wrinkle in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.
SKC II defeated Austin five points in the 2023 regular season, winning 2-1 on the road on August 25 and winning in kicks from the spot on April 2. Almost the entire season, SKC II and Austin FC II had been rated in the top half of the Frontier Division; on Decision Day, SKC II eventually overtook Austin FC II.
Although both teams had 49 points at the end of the season, their playing styles were very different. With 60 goals this season, second most in MLS NEXT Pro, Sporting KC II has one of the league’s most potent offences. They lead in shots (451), crucial passes (314), and anticipated goals (55.72). With weaponry dispersed over the field in a balanced attack, 16 different
Conversely, Austin has one of the strongest defences in MLS NEXT Pro, giving up a league-high 23 goals conceded. They lead the charts this season with their 76.8 save % and 12 clean sheets. After starting 27 of 28 games, keeping 12 clean sheets, and making 76 saves, Austin FC II goalkeeper Damian Las won Goalkeeper of the Year and was included in the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI. Additionally included in the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI was defender Joe Hafferty.
On Friday, Feilhaber will have plenty of options in the attacking third. With 11 goals this season, forward Pau Vidal leads the team. At the beginning of the season, the Spanish forward scored six goals in seven games, and he went on to score five more goals in total. In April, Vidal also scored the equaliser against Austin. Sebastian Cruz, a forward and Sporting KC Academy graduate, has been playing up top with Vidal for a significant chunk of the season. The former Cal State Fullerton player made his first-team debut in Sporting Kansas City’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup victory over Tulsa Athletic. He currently has five goals and two assists on the season.
Towards the end of the season, Josh Coan and Ethan Bryant, a two-headed attacking force in the middle, became an intimidating duo. In just 13 starts, team captain Coan scored six goals and set the SKC II single-season record for assists with eight. Bryant has three assists and eight scores in 2023, which is second most on the squad. Additionally, the Texas native played twice with the first squad in the Open Cup.
Lucas Rosa, a right-back, has led the squad in appearances (28), starts (24) and minutes (2253) this season and has been the most reliable player on the backline. More than any other SKC II defender, he has contributed nine goals (4g, 5a), three of which have earned him MLS NEXT Pro Goal of the Matchday recognition. Nassim Mekideche, the centre back, has also been a vital member of the back four, starting 14 of his 20 games and netting two goals. After overcoming a late-season injury, he made his Decision Day debut against St. Louis and completed the game.
All season long, SKC II has benefited greatly from first-team loanees, and Ozzie Cisneros is among the most notable. With 18 starts and 26 outings, the homegrown Omaha native has added two assists to his three goals. With 18 starts out of 24 appearances, rookie Chris Rindov is the second highest first-team player in the appearance category. Danny Flores, a midfielder, has made 16 starts in his debut season with SKC II, tallying two goals and two assists. Two additional important contributors are Felipe Hernandez and Cam Duke, both academy products. With three more assists this season, Hernandez now has the most assists in SKC II history. Throughout the campaign, Duke has three goals and one assist.
Goalie Ethan Bandre of SKC II has made the most appearances (14) and has a 1.29 goals against average in the net. He has a regular season record of 7-4-3 and has kept three clean sheets. John Pulskamp is a first-team player with nine starts, one shutout, twenty-four saves, and an outstanding record of 4-2-3 with three victories via shootout.
With two wins in their previous five games, Austin comes into the playoffs. On August 12, they triumphed over the six-seeded Earthquakes II. In his first season leading the squad, head coach Brett Uttley is in charge of them. He led Austin through a difficult and protracted regular season, ensuring that ATX II finished the season above the postseason line.
Valentin Noel and Sebastian Pineau have contributed offensively to their hard defence, which is led by Las and Hafferty. With seven goals, Pineau leads Austin, while Noel leads the squad with 10 (6g, 4a).
On Friday night at Rock Chalk Park, it’s win or lose. After making multiple trips to the USL Cup Final, Sporting Kansas City II was eliminated in the USL Championship Conference finals in 2018. This will be their first playoff appearance since then. One of the best offences against one of the most formidable defences sets up a real collision of ideologies.
