Four years ago this month, Jon Kempin became Sporting Kansas City's first ever homegrown player and the team's youngest signing to that point at age 17. Fast forward to present day and the Sporting KC Academy product had one of the most memorable weeks of his professional career, earning Most Valuable Player honors at the 2014 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game in Portland, Oregon last week before making his MLS debut six days later in Vancouver.
The performance -- a clean sheet in 45 minutes of action after replacing Andy Gruenebaum due to injury at halftime -- was highlighted by his penalty kick save on Darren Mattocks in the 85th minute, which was today named Major League Soccer's Save of the Week for Week 22. The Leawood, Kansas native garnered nearly 40% of the MLSsoccer.com votes to claim the accolade over four other finalists, finishing comfortably ahead of U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
Kempin became the second MLS homegrown goalkeeper -- after fellow Save of the Week finalist Bill Hamid -- to save a penalty kick in an MLS match since the Homegrown Player initiative began and he is just the third goalkeeper in League history to record the first save of his career on a penalty kick. Moreover, the 21-year-old is the fifth youngest MLS goalkeeper to save a penalty all-time and only the fifth to do so in his MLS debut.
VIDEO: ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
- MORE: Beyond the Box Score
Today's award is the second of the season for a Sporting KC goalkeeper. Eric Kronberg also claimed the recognition in Week 9.
MLS SAVE OF THE WEEK (WEEK 22)
- Jon Kempin (SKC) 39.53%
- Nick Rimando (RSL) 31.24%
- Stefan Frei (SEA) 14.32%
- Bill Hamid (DC) 9.25%
- Dan Kennedy (CHV) 5.65%
