Sporting Kansas City's U-17s and U-15s returned to MLS NEXT regular season play this weekend following monumental performances at MLS NEXT Flex in Boyds, Maryland from May 11-14. With playoff qualification on the line, the U-17s secured their spot in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs after finishing atop their group with a perfect 3-0-0 record at Flex. The U-15s went 1-1-1 just missing out on playoff qualification.
Both Sporting KC's U-17s and U-15s were drawn into Group O of their respective age groups after qualifying for the prestigious event. The two groups each played three highly competitive matches in the span of four days just over a month after showing out at Generation adidas Cup in Bradenton, Florida.
Sporting KC's U-17s, led by head coach Angel Rivillo, opened the event off against Southern California club, Ventura County Fusion. After jumping out to an early lead in the first half, Ventura drew level with a set-piece goal right out of halftime. Following a Fusion red card, Sporting went on the attack and maintained possession in the final third for the majority of the second. The breakthrough came midway through the final 45 with a tap-in finish inside the 18 to lift SKC past Ventura in the first match of Flex.
In the second match, Sporting found themselves out in front of De Anza Force with another early score. The Force would respond with two goals on either side of halftime to take a 2-1 lead and put Sporting on their heels. The resilient group was up to the task, rattling off two goals in quick succession to recapture the lead. The defense packed it in for the final 20 minutes, claimed all three points and set the stage for a win-and-in meeting with Atlanta United on the last day.
The two MLS clubs entered Flex Matchday three on six points. The winner of the match would lock up a spot in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs while the loser would have to qualify through the regular season standings or risk missing out entirely. A thrilling back-and-forth affair arose from the early morning contest as both sides battled it out. For a third straight match, SKC took a first half lead, scoring off a rather chaotic sequence inside the 18 that was capped off with a rebound finish from up close. Atlanta volleyed attack after attack in the final hour of play and was repelled time and time again by a resilient Sporting defense. The one goal was all that was needed and Sporting punched their playoff tickets.
First Name | Last Name |
Tomiwa | Adewumi |
Christian | Antunez |
Dominik | Baczewski |
Beau | Barren |
Aiden | Benitez |
Carter | Derksen |
Shane | Donovan |
Kashan | Hines |
Ian | James |
Andrew | Johnson |
Jaxson | Kalinka |
Damian | Linarez |
Troy | Lor |
Ronald | Lozano |
Renan | Mendoza |
Jacob | Molinaro |
Johann | Ortiz |
Zane | Wantland |
Trajan | Wormington |
Nate | Young |
Opponent | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
Ventura County Fusion | Saturday, May 11 | 2-1 Win |
De Anza Force | Sunday, May 12 | 3-1 Win |
Atlanta United | Tuesday, May 14 | 1-0 Win |
The U-15s, coached by Luis Pacheco, began Flex against New York Academy, Met Oval. Sporting KC fell behind after conceding within the first two minutes, however, a red card for Met Oval changed the entire complexion of the match. SKC finally evened up the duel after numerous chances early in the second. The 10-man Met Oval side continued to pack their defense into the box and forced the match into kicks from the spot. Their desperate defending paid off as Met Oval won the shootout 4-3 and claimed the extra point. The boys then faced Atlanta United on day two. Another high-octane match ended in Atlanta claiming a 2-0 victory after their goalkeeper made a pair of clutch saves down the stretch.
The most exhilarating match of the U-15s MLS NEXT Flex came on the last day when they faced San Francisco Glens. The Glens had to win to have a chance at the group, and Sporting was out to play spoiler. A physical battle yielded the first finish midway through the first period of play. This time it was Sporting getting out on the front foot with a determined goal off a bouncing through ball played from the back four into the final third. San Francisco rattled off two goals in first half stoppage time but a free kick goal and counter-attack finish in the second vaulted Sporting back ahead.
The celebration was short-lived as the Glens leveled the match again late in the contest. A shootout seemed the most likely outcome, but, a last-minute chance opened the door for Sporting in the final minute. A ball over the top was caught up to by a Sporting KC winger who dashed for goal past his mark. A clinical touch past the keeper and into the back of the net gave Sporting the lead once more and led for a benches-clearing celebration in the corner. The ref blew for full-time moments later and Sporting's U-15s claimed their first win of Flex in thrilling fashion.
First Name | Last Name |
Eman | Alicic |
Luca | Antongirolami |
Santino | Barberena |
Roman | Boxman |
Finn | Dean |
Kyan | Detmer |
Jesus | Enriquez |
Jack | Francka |
Sergio | Garcia |
Emilio | Jacinto-Lopez |
Justin | Jones |
Colin | Kyser |
Mays | Landers |
Bryden | Liem |
Colin | Lysinger |
Ben | Nylund |
Chinelo | Robinson |
Baron | Williams |
Sutton | Williams |
Sam | Worcester |
Opponent | Date | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
Met Oval | Saturday, May 11 | 1(3)-1(4) Draw |
Atlanta United | Sunday, May 12 | 0-2 Loss |
San Francisco Glens | Tuesday, May 14 | 4-3 Win |
Now, having qualified for the 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs, Sporting's U-17s are back in training to Swope Soccer Village to make preparations for the Tournament. Sporting's U-15s will join their older counterparts for the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase and the two teams will depart for the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Nashville, Tennessee from June 15-23. Fans can follow along the Playoff journey and everything going on in the Academy by following @SKCAcademy on X and instagram.
MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs
The MLS NEXT season concludes with the 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs, which will be held June 15-23 at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Nashville, Tennessee.
For the single-elimination competition, 32 teams per age group will qualify based on regular-season play or by winning their group at MLS NEXT Flex. Teams that do not qualify for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs can participate in the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase, which will be held at the same venue.
MLS NEXT Flex will also provide an opportunity for North America’s top youth talent to be seen by college, youth national team and professional coaches, as well as scouts and evaluators, in a single location. The MLS Match Evaluator program, which features former professional players who are trained on-site to identify top talent, will continue at both MLS NEXT Flex and in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.
About MLS NEXT
MLS NEXT is a new paradigm for player development, launched in 2020 to transform youth soccer in North America. Founded on a collaborative approach to governance and a commitment to innovation, MLS NEXT players have access to the highest level of competition, training and personal development opportunities that will prepare them for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Membership for the 2022-23 season includes 137 clubs, 628 teams and over 13,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, DoorDash, and the University of South Carolina. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
