Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jon Kempin was one of 18 players named to the United States Under-18 Men's National Team on Wednesday for the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, held from July 21st to 30th in Northern Ireland.
"It's a big tournament. Last year we won the tournament, " Kempin said. "It's a great setting and one of the bigger tournaments that the youth national team competes in other than the World Cups."
Kempin, Sporting Kansas City's first Home Grown Player after signing in August 2010, returns to the Under-18 National Team after taking part in the Lisbon International Tournament in May and the team's April training camp in Portland, Oregon.
The Leawood, Kansas native and Blue Valley North H.S. graduate is one of two goalkeepers on the 18-player roster chosen by head coach Mike Matkovich.
"It's a very good team going, made up of almost all professional players," Kempin said. "We're looking to go into it and win it again for the second year in a row."
The United States will open the tournament against Israel on July 25 before meeting Mexico on July 27th.
"We'll be up against some tough opponents and a tough climate," Kempin said. "It should be a good trip though, the last one for the U18's before we join the U20's."
Kempin is also an active member in the United States Under-20 player pool, starting both matches for the U20 National Team at the Torneo de las Americas in November 2010.
