The Sporting Kansas City Academy U-18s claimed a 3-0 victory over Real Colorado on Saturday at Fort Hays State University Soccer Stadium in Hays, Kansas.
Goals from Stanley Innocent, Leroy Enzugusi and Camilo Benitez spurred the U-18s to all three points, while goalkeeper Steve Tekesky notched the shutout with an impressive performance between the posts. Enzugusi’s strike was his team-leading 11th tally of the 2016-17 U.S. Soccer Development Academy campaign and helped coach Jon Parry’s men to their second consecutive league triumph.
BTW, @Enzugusi's goal on Saturday was pic.twitter.com/S8gHlgUZhI
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) March 28, 2017
The result keeps Sporting KC (13-7-0, 39 points) in third place in the Central Conference’s Frontier Division, just two points behind table-toppers Lonestar SC with two months of the regular season still to play. The top three finishers will automatically qualify for the 2017 Development Academy Playoffs in June.
The Sporting KC U-16s (15-4-1, 46 points) rounded out Saturday’s doubleheader in Hays with a 1-0 defeat to Real Colorado, but remained second in the Frontier Division and level on points with FC Dallas, which owns the tiebreaker based on points per game.
Despite carving out multiple chances throughout the afternoon, the U-16s suffered just their fourth loss of the Development Academy season under head coach Josh Gardner. The decisive moment came in the 67th minute, when Sporting KC goalkeeper Alex Brown did well to save Elijah Mereness’ penalty kick but was unable to keep out the ensuing rebound attempt.
At the professional level, Saturday proved to be another banner evening for the Sporting KC Academy. The pro pipeline was on full display in the Swope Park Rangers’ 3-1 season-opening win over OKC Energy FC at Children’s Mercy Victory Field inside Swope Soccer Village. Academy products Kevin Ellis, Christian Duke, Daniel Salloi, Felipe Hernandez and Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal all started in Nikola Popovic’s first game as SPR head coach, while Nansel Selbol, Will Little and Max Rugova were available on the substitutes’ bench.
Sporting KC will now begin preparations for the 2017 Generation adidas Cup, Major League Soccer's annual elite youth tournament for U-17 academy teams that showcases the best talent in the country and the future stars of MLS. Thanks to a strong qualifying campaign in October and February, Sporting KC will compete in the Championship Division among the best Academy clubs from across the globe.
The competition runs from April 7-15 at Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas, where Sporting KC will begin pool play in Group B alongside LA Galaxy, German club Eintracht Frankfurt and Brazilian outfit Flamengo. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates throughout the prestigious tournament.
Generation adidas Cup Group B
Team |
Pts |
W |
L |
D (PK Wins) |
GF |
GA |
GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LA Galaxy |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Sporting Kansas City |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Flamengo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Eintracht Frankfurt |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Date |
Match |
Time |
Field |
|---|---|---|---|
<strong>April 7, 2017</strong> |
<strong>LA Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City</strong> |
<strong>2:30 PM CT</strong> |
<strong>Field 7</strong> |
April 7, 2017 |
Flamengo vs. Eintracht Frankfurt |
4:45 PM CT |
Field 7 |
<strong>April 9, 2017</strong> |
<strong>Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Sporting Kansas City</strong> |
<strong>2:30 PM CT</strong> |
<strong>Field 6</strong> |
April 9, 2017 |
Flamengo vs. LA Galaxy |
6:15 PM CT |
Field 4 |
<strong>April 11, 2017</strong> |
<strong>Sporting Kansas City vs. Flamengo</strong> |
<strong>2:30 PM CT</strong> |
<strong>Field 6</strong> |
April 11, 2017 |
LA Galaxy vs. Eintracht Frankfurt |
2:30 PM CT |
Field 7 |
