Jon Kempin became Sporting KC’s first ever Homegrown Player upon signing for the club in August 2010. The Leawood, Kansas native enjoyed a banner year in 2014, becoming the youngest goalkeeper in team history to play in an MLS match. At the beginning of 2015, he was named to the United States Men’s National Team roster for the first time in his career to take part in manager Jurgen Klinsmann’s January Camp. He previously represented the U.S. at the Under-14 through Under-23 levels. Kempin made his MLS postseason debut on Oct. 29, 2015, making three saves in a penalty kick shootout against the Portland Timbers. Kempin has played 12 matches for his hometown club in all competitions.
2016: Started two matches in all competitions (180 minutes played). MLS regular season: Did not feature. Open Cup: Did not feature. CONCACAF Champions League: Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw at Central FC on Aug. 16. Started and played 90 minutes in a 3-0 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Aug. 23. Swope Park Rangers: Was loaned to the Rangers on March 25. MLS Cup Playoffs: Did not feature.
2015: MLS regular season: Earned three starts and played 270 minutes (1-1-1 record, 1.67 GAA, 6 saves). Made his 2015 debut for the club in a 3-1 defeat at Orlando City SC on Sept. 13. Recorded his first win of the campaign in a 3-1 triumph over FC Dallas on Sept. 18, making three saves. MLS Cup Playoffs: Made his postseason debut on Oct. 29 as an 84th-minute substitute, replacing the injured Tim Melia, and made three saves in a penalty shootout that Sporting KC lost to Portland 7-6 after a 2-2 draw through regulation. Open Cup: Has not featured. NASL (San Antonio Scorpions): Saved a penalty kick in San Antonio's 4-2 friendly win over the Costa Rica U-23 national team on March 28. Has earned two starts and played 180 minutes (2.50 GAA, 5 saves). Made his NASL debut on April 4.
2014: MLS regular season: Played in four games with three starts. Made his MLS debut in the second half of a 2-0 loss at the Vancouver Whitecaps on Aug. 10, saving a penalty kick in the 84th minute to become the fifth youngest keeper in MLS history to save a penalty kick and the fifth keeper all-time to save a penalty in his MLS debut. Won MLS Save of the Week (Week 22) for the penalty stop against Vancouver. Made his first MLS start in a 4-1 win over Toronto FC on Aug. 16, notching another Save of the Week winner. Was named Most Valuable Player in the inaugural Chipotle Homegrown Game on Aug. 4 in Portland. He played 45 second half minutes in the 0-0 draw against Portland Timbers U-23, recording two impressive saves to preserve a clean sheet. MLS Playoffs: Did not feature. CCL: Featured in the 2014-15 group stage, playing 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Real Esteli on Aug. 19. Open Cup: Did not feature. Friendly: Played 45 minutes in a 4-1 Champions Shield defeat to Manchester City on July 23 at Sporting Park. USL PRO: Was loaned to USL PRO affiliate OKC Energy FC on March 17. Earned USL PRO Team of the Week honors for Week 12 after tying his season-high with five saves in Energy FC's 2-2 draw at Wilmington Hammerheads FC on June 6. Played in 13 USL PRO matches, posting a 5-7-1 record, five shutouts, 37 saves and a 1.38 goals against average. Was recalled from his loan to OKC Energy FC on July 9.
2013: Spent season on loan with USL Pro affiliate Orlando City SC. MLS: Did not feature.
2012: The homegrown goalkeeper fractured his ankle in early summer and made his return to the playing field on September 11 in a 1-0 Reserve League loss to Real Salt Lake at Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park. Kempin was shown a red card in the match for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity in the 61st minute. Kempin played in seven additional Reserve League matches prior to his injury, earning one shutout and a 1.44 goals against average on the season. Kempin made his competitive debut in a 3-2 victory over the Orlando City SC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round.
2011: In matchday 18 for matches at FC Dallas and Toronto FC as backup to Eric Kronberg. Played full 90 minutes in MLS Reserve League match against Chicago Fire on July 28 at Sporting Park.
2010: Became Kansas City’s first Home Grown Player on August 31st. At age 17, was the youngest signing in club history. Kempin signed a Generation adidas contract for the 2010 season and dressed for his first professional match against San Jose on October 23, 2010 as a backup to starter Eric Kronberg.
NATIONAL TEAM: Active member Under-20 and Under-23 National Team pools; named to 20-player roster for U20 training camp in Puebla, Mexico in January 2013; joined the U23 National Team for a training camp in Duisburg, Germany in November 2011; travelled to the Northern Ireland Milk Cup in July 2011 and to Portugal for the the Lisbon International Tournament in May 2011. He also participated in U18 training camp in April 2011, after having played for the U18 National Team in Israel in December 2010. He started both matches for the U20 National Team at the Torneo de las Americas in November 2010. Also participated in a 36-player U18 National Team training camp in Carson, California in January 2010 and was called upon again in April 2010 as one of two goalkeepers in a 24-player training camp also held at the Home Depot Center. Kempin had taken part in a U.S. Under-15 training camp in St. Louis in June 2008. Following that camp, Kempin was chosen as one of four goalkeepers for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters for the U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program under head coach Wilmer Cabrera at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. 2015: Was named to the United States Men’s National Team roster for the first time in his career to take part in manager Jurgen Klinsmann’s January Camp. Played 45 minutes for the U.S. U-23s in a 2-1 friendly defeat to Brazil on Nov. 11.
YOUTH: Product of the Sporting Kansas City Juniors development academy. Named to the 2010 NSCAA/People to People Boys Youth All-America Team, as one of 40 players selected by youth national team and college coaches. Kempin was also honored as Gatorade’s Kansas State Player of the Year in February 2010 and was selected to Parade Magazine’s High School All-American Team in June 2010. Kempin was also named among the nation’s Top 40 Players to Watch by ESPN RISE.
He was a regular member of the Olympic Developmental Program’s State and Regional Teams, including a U14 Regional Team that traveled to Barcelona for international competition. Prior to joining the Sporting Kansas City Juniors developmental academy, Kempin played for the KC Legends, Blue Valley Stars, and KCFC Alliance club teams.
PERSONAL: Kempin attended Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kansas and grew up in Leawood, Kansas.
