While Sporting Kansas City’s senior team wrapped up its 2016 preseason in Arizona on Saturday, the Sporting KC Academy U-18s and U-16s returned to Swope Soccer Village for their first home matches of 2016 in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
Both sides came out on top against Lonestar SC (Texas) as the U-18s cruised to a 4-0 victory before the U-16s earned a 2-1 win. The results keep each team firmly in the Frontier Division playoff picture with three months of league action still to play.
The U-18s scored three goals in the space of seven minutes on Saturday as Chase Bromstedt bagged a quick-fire brace in the 43rd and 44th minutes and Max Rugova scored five minutes after halftime. Absalom Solorio added a fourth in the late stages to complete a comprehensive performance in which Steve Tekesky posted a shutout.
Led by head coach Istvan Urbanyi, the U-18s (9-5-1, 28 points) sit third in the Frontier Division of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Central Conference behind the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas. The top three finishers will qualify automatically for the USSDA playoffs in June.
The U-16s grabbed an early lead when Sheldon China found the back of the net after receiving an incisive pass from Colin Innes. Lonestar SC equalize from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute, but Jacob Hall provided the game-winner in the second half to secure all three points.
Saturday’s triumph lifts the U-16s (7-6-2, 23 points) into playoff position in the Frontier Division. Coach Jon Parry’s side is third in the standings behind FC Dallas and Real Colorado.
The Sporting KC Academy continues USSDA competition with a pair of matches next weekend in the Houston metropolitan area. The teams will play a doubleheader against Texas Rush on Saturday before facing Texans SC Houston on Sunday. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter and Instagram for updates and photos throughout the season.
