After more than a month of preseason preparation, the Sporting Kansas City Academy will welcome the Colorado Rapids to the Swope Soccer Village (6310 Lewis Rd.) in Kansas City, Missouri for eight matches this weekend. Academy matches are open to the general public and free to attend.
SPORTING KC ACADEMY OPENING WEEKEND
Saturday, Sept. 20
- USSDA: Sporting KC U18's vs. Colorado Rapids U18's - 10 a.m. CT
- FRIENDLY: Sporting KC U12's vs. Colorado Rapids U12's - 10 a.m. CT
- USSDA: Sporting KC U16's vs. Colorado Rapids U16's - 12:30 p.m. CT
- USSDA: Sporting KC U14's vs. Colorado Rapids U14's - 12:30 p.m. CT
Sunday, Sept. 21
- USSDA: Sporting KC U18's vs. Colorado Rapids U18's - 9 a.m. CT
- FRIENDLY: Sporting KC U12's vs. Colorado Rapids U12's - 9 a.m. CT
- USSDA: Sporting KC U16's vs. Colorado Rapids U16's - 11:30 a.m. CT
- USSDA: Sporting KC U14's vs. Colorado Rapids U14's - 11:30 a.m. CT
The under-14, under-16 and under-18 teams will all open their 2014-15 U.S. Soccer Development Academy campaigns, while the under-12's take on their MLS counterparts in a pair of friendlies. The U16's and U18's each begin a 24-game schedule that will see them face many of the top teams in the region. The U14's will play 10 games in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy along with matches in the U.S. Youth Soccer National League, Midwest Regional League and MRL Pro Youth Division. In addition, the U14's and U16's will each participate in the Generation adidas Cup.
The U12's have begun play -- up an age group -- in the 10-team U13 Premier Division through the Heartland Soccer Association and will also compete in MRL Pro Youth Division events. To date, the team has played three league matches with a victory over KCSC Blackstars 01/02 coming between losses to 02 Santos Select and Toca FC U-13 MLS.
U16 & U18 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Ryan Krutz – U18 goalkeeper has committed to play collegiately at Notre Dame
- Daniel Salloi -- U18 forward and foreign exchange student from Hungary
- Nic Jaimes - U18 forward joined U.S. Futsal National Team in Argentina last month
- Dakota Karns -- U18 midfielder led U16's in scoring with 7 goals in 2013/14 USSDA season
- Erik Palmer-Brown -- Centerback remains eligible for U18's as a homegrown player in MLS
- Absalom Solorio -- Returns to U16's after scoring 6 goals last year; was selected for Generation adidas ESP Showcase with teammate Steven Tekesky last month
- Ezra Armstrong -- U16 defender is the son of Hall of Famer Desmond Armstrong
- Dakotah Bainter -- U16 goalkeeper moved from Oklahoma City on recommendation from OKC Energy FC
Led by Sporting KC Academy Director of Coaching Jon Parry, the U14's will look to repeat their run to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships at which they represented Region II in July.
For team rosters and schedules, click on the following links: Sporting KC U18's, Sporting KC U16's and Sporting KC U14's. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter and Instagram for updates throughout the season.
