Sporting KC Academy U15's starting lineup: Alex Brown, Jackson Wood, Kyle Reese, Cameron Duke,
Dontell Gilyard, Roman Knox, Mason Visconti, John Klein, Abdu Kikhia, Colin Innes, Max Rugova
The Sporting Kansas City Academy U-15's were crowned champions at US Youth Soccer's Region II Championships on Wednesday with a 3-1 victory over the Des Moines Menace at the USA Youth Sports Complex in Appleton, Wisconsin. Jackson Wood opened the scoring in the 15th minute (watch), Abdu Kikhia provided the game-winning goal (watch) and Roman Knox sealed the victory with a late penalty kick (watch).
Today's championship match was the fifth game in five days for the U-15's, who were a perfect 3-0-0 in the group stage before advancing past Ohio Premier Soccer Club in a penalty shootout in the semifinals (video).
Saturday, June 20: 7-0 win vs. DASC Impact (SD)
Sunday, June 21: 2-1 win vs. Madison FC Gold (WI)
Monday, June 22: 3-0 win vs. Minneapolis United (MN)
Tuesday, June 23: 2-2 tie (3-1 in penalties) vs. OP Green 1 (OH)
Wednesday, June 24: 3-1 win vs. DM Menace Red (IA)
Max Rugova was the competition's top scorer in the U-15 age group with seven goals. The U-15's, led by head coach Jon Parry, will now advance to the 2015 US Youth Soccer National Championships at Mohawk Soccer Complex in Tulsa, Oklahoma from July 21-26.
Three teams from the Sporting KC Academy have qualified for the USYS National Championships since the program's launch in 2007: U15's in 2015, U14's in 2014 and U19's in 2008. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest updates at the national tournament next month.
