Swope Park Rangers defender Jaylin Lindsey has joined the U.S. Under-17 Residency program in Bradenton, Fla., U.S. Soccer announced today. Lindsey has been with the U-17 Residency Program since August, playing in two games against Guatemala on Sept. 15 and 17, recording assists in each game, and two further games against Panama on Sept. 27 and Oct. 1.
“We’re extremely happy for Jaylin,” Sporting KC Academy Director Jon Parry said. “He’s made the decision to go to Residency and he feels like that’s the best thing for him in regards to having the best opportunity to make the 2017 U-17 World Cup team. We’re excited for him, we feel like we’ve been a big part of him attaining his goal so hopefully he’ll be in the next World Cup for the U-17s.”
Lindsey joins current Sporting KC Homegrown signings Jon Kempin and Erik Palmer-Brown as players to join the U-17 Residency Program while a part of the Sporting KC Academy.
The 16-year-old signed an Academy contract with the Rangers on May 6, 2016, making his professional debut the following day against Saint Louis FC – becoming the first American player born in the 2000s to play in a professional game. After representing the Sporting KC Academy in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs over the summer, Lindsey made his first Rangers start at Rio Tinto Stadium against the Real Monarchs on Aug. 13.
Lindsey was first introduced to the U.S. Youth National Team setup in 2013, when he was called in to the U.S. Under-14s for the first of five eventual training camps with the team. He was called in to the U.S. Under-15s for the first time in December 2014 before solidifying his presence on the squad with three additional inclusions the following year – winning the Italian Tournament delle Nazioni in the process.
In late 2015, Lindsey was called in to the U.S. Under-17s for the first time at the age of 15, making three appearances at the Nike International Friendlies in Florida. He played for the U-17s at the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Aegean Cup in Turkey earlier this year, before also taking part in the India-based AIFF Youth Cup in May.
The Swope Park Rangers continue their quest for the USL Cup tomorrow night, when the side hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in the Western Conference Final. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT with tickets available via Ticketmaster and a live stream available on SportingKC.com.
