On the same week that Sporting Kansas City became the only MLS club to boast a dozen academy products on its first team roster, the Sporting KC Academy combined for five wins in MLS NEXT during a successful road trip to the state of Texas.
Four academy teams took the field twice this weekend as the U-19s, U-17s, U-15s and U-14s visited the Houston Dynamo on Saturday and RISE Soccer Club on Sunday in Missouri City, Texas.
Sporting KC Academy Results Summary: May 8-9
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Matchup</strong> |
<strong>Result</strong> |
<div>Saturday, May 8</div> |
<div>SKC U-19s at Houston Dynamo U-19s</div> |
<div>L 0-1</div> |
<div>SKC U-17s at Houston Dynamo U-17s</div> |
<div>L 3-6</div> |
|
<div>SKC U-15s at Houston Dynamo U-15s</div> |
<div>W 2-1</div> |
|
<div>SKC U-14s at Houston Dynamo U-14s</div> |
<div>W 2-1</div> |
|
<div>Sunday, May 9</div> |
<div>SKC U-19s at RISE Soccer Club</div> |
<div>W 1-0</div> |
<div>SKC U-17s at RISE Soccer Club</div> |
<div>W 2-1</div> |
|
<div>SKC U-15s at RISE Soccer Club</div> |
<div>W 1-0</div> |
|
<div>SKC U-14s at RISE Soccer Club</div> |
<div>T 2-2</div> |
Saturday at Houston Dynamo
The U-19s and U-17s secured their first victories of the MLS NEXT spring season on Sunday, but not before taking losses to the Dynamo on Saturday morning at Houston Sports Park. The U-19s were on the losing end of a hard-fought 1-0 decision, while the U-17s received goals from Jeremy Sharp, Mataeo Bunbury and Braxton Arpachinda in a 6-3 result.
The U-15s and U-14s experienced better fortunes by turning the tables against Houston to split the four-game set. Led by head coach Chris O’Neal, the U-15s erased an early deficit by scoring twice in the space of four second-half minutes. Geremi Onentia converted a penalty kick after Ryan Reid drew a foul inside the box, then Onentia assisted Edin Clark’s 73rd-minute game-winner.
The U-14s enjoyed a 2-1 triumph of their own, taking the lead in the 39th minute when Miguel Lopez cleverly chipped the Houston goalkeeper. After the Dynamo equalized early in the second half, Alexander Cunningham slotted home in the 59th minute as Sporting grabbed all three points.
Sunday at RISE Soccer Club
A fruitful Sunday against RISE Soccer Club saw three Sporting KC Academy teams post wins. Under the guidance of head coach Rumba Munthali, the U-19s (1-4-1) claimed a resolute 1-0 victory behind a 51st-minute strike from Draven Barnett and assisted by Jack Dean. The U-17s (1-5-1) followed suit, falling behind after three minutes only to stage an impressive second-half rally and prevail 2-1. U.S. youth international Nati Clarke kickstarted the comeback with a sweetly struck volley off a feed from Manuel Romero in the 49th minute, then Arpachinda decided the contest on a brilliant long-range effort with eight minutes remaining.
The U-15s (5-2-1) continued their winning ways with a 1-0 result, conjuring the breakthrough on 41 minutes when Clark and Reid combined neatly before Onentia applied the finishing touch. The U-14s (4-2-1) would then round out the weekend with an exciting 2-2 draw, overcoming a two-goal deficit behind a pair of Luis Ortiz penalty kicks.
Up Next: FC Dallas double-dip at Swope Soccer Village
The Sporting Kansas City U-19s, U-17s, U-15s and U-14s will continue their MLS NEXT spring campaigns next Saturday at Swope Soccer Village, hosting perennial powers FC Dallas. The U-19s and U-15s will kick off at 9 a.m. CT, while the U-17s and U-14s will take the field at 11 a.m. CT. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates next weekend and throughout the year.
