The Sporting Kansas City Academy wrapped up the fall portion of its 2016-17 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season on Saturday with a two-game sweep of the Dallas Texans at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma.
The Sporting KC U-18s (8-2-0, 24 points) earned a 2-0 victory behind goals from Chase Bromstedt and Leroy Enzugusi, vaulting to second place in the Central Conference's Frontier Division based on points per game. The U-16s (6-3-1, 19 points) then secured a 2-1 triumph of their own, moving up to third place in the Frontier Division as Abdu Kikhia and Cameron Duke found the back of the net.
Sporting KC U-18s 2, Dallas Texans U-18s 0
Jon Parry's men grabbed the lead after just two minutes when Enzugusi set up Bromstedt for a near-post finish and the midfielder's first goal of the USSDA campaign. Sporting KC would pile on the pressure in search of a second as Will Little and Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal saw efforts saved by the goalkeeper.
Dallas (5-3-0, 15 points) managed a rare foray forward in the 25th minute, but goalkeeper Steve Tekesky produced a fantastic save by tipping the ball over the crossbar at full stretch. Enzugusi then turned goalscorer on the stroke of halftime, receiving a pass from Camilo Benitez and slotting low for his team-leading seventh goal of the USSDA season.
Both sides traded chances in the early stages of the second half. Tekesky made another strong stop at one end before Bromstedt was denied his brace a minute later. The U-18s would control proceedings until the final whistle and were denied a third goal late when Roman Knox was flagged offside.
Sporting KC U-16s 2, Dallas Texans U-16s 1
Coach Josh Gardner's team almost followed the script set by the U-18s, but Max Rugova's first-minute strike sailed narrowly wide. The half would end scoreless, but not before Mason Visconti and Jonathan Munoz had their shots turned away by Dallas goalkeeper Alan Serrano.
The U-16s snatched their deserved lead after the restart, but not before Massimo McGuire cleared a dangerous ball whipped into the penalty area. Having survived the scare, Sporting KC broke through on 54 minutes courtesy of Kikhia, who expertly picked out the corner after running onto Visconti's through ball.
Dallas (3-5-0, 9 points) equalized in the 67th minute through Joseph McGee and almost surged ahead shortly thereafter, but goalkeeper Alex Brown made two fantastic saves to keep the game tied 1-1. Sporting KC weathered the bumpy period and found the game-winner on 74 minutes when Gada Ambo and Sean Karani combined before Duke applied the calm finish. Duke, who featured for the U.S. U-16 Boys' National Team two weeks earlier in France, had marked his club return with the first goal of his 2016-17 USSDA campaign.
Up next:
Both sides will now turn their attention to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, slated for Dec. 1-5 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Sporting KC will face three USSDA clubs from outside of the Frontier Division, with the U-18s playing Dec. 1, 2 and 4 and the U-16s in action Dec. 2, 3 and 5. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for the latest updates throughout the season.
