Following Sporting KC’s 1-0 victory over New York City FC last week, head coach Peter Vermes referred to Ike Opara as “a monster”, and the defender’s play in the month of March sure lived up to the billing.
Opara scored a pair of goals in Major League Soccer’s opening month while proving to be an absolute force on the defensive end, earning the centerback recognition as SBI MLS Player of the Month.
While Opara’s pair of finishes, including the winner against NYCFC, are certainly icing on the cake, it has been the centerback’s contributions on the defensive side of things that have been particularly special. Ranking in the top two in interceptions, clearances and duels won, Opara has been an absolute wall at the back anchoring a Sporting KC defense that has been reeling from suspensions, injuries and offseason departures.
Opara’s play on both sides of the ball was enough to earn the defender SBI MLS Player of the Month, beating out Octavio Rivero, Javier Morales, Kaka, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Tyler Deric for March’s honors.
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What do you think of Opara’s play in the month of March? Which player stood out to you last month?
Share your thoughts below.
This guy deserves a call-up at some point
If he can stay healthy, he might just get one. As it is, I wince every time he stumbles…
He was a hot name whose star definitely faded when injury hit, but he’s starting to look like the guy everybody thought he would be at some point. Freaky athletic, great speed, DOMINANT in the air…honestly, I think he’d make a very nice compliment to John Brooks…who, positioning issues and inexperience aside, is looking like the most-athletic centerback the USMNT has ever had. People grumble about Brooks’ youthful gaffes…I see a guy who’s going to be playing for an elite team in Europe in a couple years.
I know Jurgen loves distribution out of the back, and I know we’ve got a ton of quality CB’s vying for spots…but Opara is just so durn…majestic in the air, and he’s such an athlete. He’d definitely be on my radar.
I agree with Opara, even though as a Red Bull supported , I like Bradley Wright Phillips.
Opara had a great game against us in KC