The Sporting KC Academy U-13s have advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF U-13 Champions League. After dropping their first group stage match, Sporting KC roared back with two straight wins to finish in second place in the group and qualify to the next stage of the tournament.
Sporting KC will now play CS Herediano today at 1pm CT. The winner of today’s match will face the winner of Comunicaciones FC and San Juan Jabloteh FC on Friday in the semifinals.
Sporting KC opened their tournament with a 2-0 loss to eventual group winner C.D. Santa Ana. The Salvadoran club scored two goals in the final 15 minutes to earn three points in the opener.
Needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, Sporting KC wasted no time grabbing a lead over Mexican club Pungarabato Guerrero in the second minute. Despite the tournament being for players born in 2002, Sporting KC’s goal came from two of the youngest players in the tournament. Nati Clark, formerly of Sporting Kaw Valley and born in 2005, found Osvaldo Cisneros, born in 2004, for the early lead. Ten minutes later, Coby Jones smashed home a corner kick to double the lead and secure the victory.
After a strong showing in the first match against Santa Ana, goalkeeper Tommy Williams continued his good form against Pungarabato, denying the Mexican club on numerous occasions and commanding his box well. Sporting KC won the match 2-0 to set up a win a must win finale against Panamanian club Chorrillo FC.
Heading into the final group stage match, Sporting KC needed to win by three or more goals to secure advancement. A win by anything less would put their fate in the hands of the result of Pungarabato’s match vs. Santa Ana.
Similar to their second match, Sporting KC struck early and this time it was through a penalty kick. After Brayden Barney drew the foul in the fourth minute, Tyler Freeman stepped to the spot and cooly placed his attempt past a diving goalkeeper for the early lead. The young striker then sealed the match in the 58th minute with a 22-yard free kick that struck off the underside of the crossbar and beat the goalkeeper.
Great free kick from @tylerfreeman23@SKCAcademy ! pic.twitter.com/BCUzcrBl7I
— Brian Freeman (@bkfreeman) July 25, 2016
Blake Barrick nearly added to the team’s tally in stoppage time, but his goal was called back by the referee. Williams finished the match with three saves for his second shutout of the tournament.
Sporting KC will continue their tournament today against Herediano. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter and Instagram for photos, videos and updates.
