Here’s who KC Roos will meet in their 1st men’s soccer NCAA Tournament match since 2008
In an all-Missouri regional, the Kansas City men’s soccer team will open the NCAA Championship against St. Louis on Thursday.
The winner of the game at Robert Hermann Stadium in St. Louis, which starts at 7 p.m., will meet Missouri State in the second round on Sunday in Springfield.
The Roos (12-4-3) are part of the NCAA field for the first time since 2008 and fourth time in program history.
Kansas City, under fifth-year head coach Ryan Pore, qualified for the tournament by winning the Summit League Championship on Saturday. The Roos defeated Denver, the nation’s fourth-ranked team, on their home field 2-1 in the title game. Elie Kisoka, the conference offensive player of the year, delivered the game winner in the final minute.
Julien Le Bourdoulous assisted on both goals against Denver and was named the tournament’s MVP. He was joined on the all-championship team by Kisoka, Byrson Gosch and Miguel Fernandez.
If Kansas City defeats St. Louis (8-4-8), the Roos will meet a Missouri State (12-3-2) team they defeated 3-2 during the regular season. The Bears are the No. 15 seed and won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season.
Kansas City is 24th in the NCAA men’s soccer RPI.