The Sporting Kansas City Academy U-18s and U-16s have learned their opponents for the 2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, to be held Dec. 1-5 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
The 2016 Winter Showcase includes 72 U-18 and 74 U-16 academy clubs from across the country, spanning 219 games over five days. The annual event will be held in conjunction with the 2016 Nike International Friendlies, a round-robin competition featuring the United States, Brazil, Portugal and Turkey U-17 national teams.
The Sporting KC U-18s and U-16s will play three games apiece, all of which against steams from other USSDA divisions. Led by head coach Jon Parry, the U-18s will face Orlando City SC, the Philadelphia Union and Weston FC (Florida). U-16 head coach Josh Gardner will lead his team versus Empire United (New York), Columbus Crew SC and the Philadelphia Union.
Sporting KC’s Winter Showcase schedule is listed below, including opponents’ regular season records in their respective USSDA divisions.
Sporting KC 2016 Winter Showcase Schedule
<strong>DATE</strong> |
<strong>TIME (CT)</strong> |
<strong>TEAM</strong> |
<strong>OPPONENT</strong> |
<strong>Thursday, Dec. 1</strong> |
<strong>1pm</strong> |
<strong>U-18s</strong> |
<strong>Orlando City SC (10-1-0)</strong> |
Friday, Dec. 2 |
9am |
U-16s |
Empire United (6-3-1) |
<strong>Friday, Dec. 2</strong> |
<strong>3:15pm</strong> |
<strong>U-18s</strong> |
<strong>Philadelphia Union (6-1-1)</strong> |
Saturday, Dec. 3 |
1pm |
U-16s |
Columbus Crew SC (8-3-0) |
<strong>Sunday, Dec. 4</strong> |
<strong>8am</strong> |
<strong>U-18s</strong> |
<strong>Weston FC (5-4-2)</strong> |
Monday, Dec. 5 |
8am |
U-16s |
Philadelphia Union (5-1-2) |
The U-18s are currently second in the Frontier Division standings with an 8-2-0 record and a division-best 29 goals scored. Forward Leroy Enzugusi and U.S. U-19 national team midfielder Felipe Hernandez are tied for the team lead with seven league goals.
The U-16s sit third in the Frontier Division at 6-3-1. Forward Mason Visconti, defender Cameron Duke and midfielder Gianluca Busio have recently participated in training camps with the United States U-17, U-16 and U-15 national teams, respectively.
Sporting Kansas City Academy defender Jaylin Lindsey, meanwhile, is currently part of the U.S. U-17 MNT Residency Roster. Lindsey joined the U.S. Under-17 Residency Program in August and could feature in the 2016 Nike Friendlies against Portugal (Nov. 30), Turkey (Dec. 2) and Brazil (Dec. 4). The finalized U.S. roster for the Nike Friendlies will be released in the near future.
Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates throughout the 2016-17 USSDA season.
