Jon Kempin was named to the United States Under-23 Men's National Team roster today ahead of Wednesday's match against Mexico's U-23 National Team. The international friendly will kick off at 10 p.m. CT at StubHub Center in Carson, California and will be nationally broadcast live on UniMas and Univision Deportes Network.
Kempin is one of two goalkeepers on the 20-player roster selected by head coach Andi Herzog as the U-23 team prepares for the 2015 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying championship from Oct. 1-13. The tournament will be held in the United States and will determine the region's representatives at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
"It's a beautiful stadium and this is a huge rivalry," Herzog said. "We had this experience with the senior team last week and it was a great atmosphere. For these players, it's a huge opportunity and we want to see them make the most of it."
Kempin, 22, was a member of the U.S. Men's National Team earlier this year for the first time in his career after previously representing the United States at the Under-14 through Under-23 levels and attending the U.S. Soccer Residency Program from 2008-2009. The Leawood, Kansas native is a product of the Sporting KC Academy and became the team's first homegrown player signing at age 17.
Now in his sixth professional season, Kempin made five competitive appearances for Sporting Kansas City in 2014 -- including his debut in Major League Soccer and the CONCACAF Champions League -- in addition to being named MVP of the 2014 MLS Chipotle Homegrown Game. He entered the record books as the youngest goalkeeper to start an MLS match in club history and earned back-to-back MLS Save of the Week honors in his first two appearances.
After previous loan opportunities with OKC Energy FC and Orlando City SC in USL, Kempin is currently on loan with the San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League.
