Three Sporting Kansas City Academy teams spent Thanksgiving Weekend competing at the 2019 Copa Rayados Internacional tournament at Bear Branch Sportsplex in The Woodlands, Texas.
The Sporting KC U-13s, U-14s and U-15s all delivered solid performances at the prestigious youth tournament, which featured some of the top professional and amateur youth academies from the United States and Mexico.
Led by head coach Declan Jogi, the U-14s led the way with an impressive second-place finish that produced five wins. Sporting were stout defensively en route to four shutout victories in the group stage, then thrashed San Antonio FC by a 6-2 scoreline in the semifinals before taking a 3-0 loss to FC Dallas in the tournament championship. Ryan Reid was formally recognized for his standout contributions throughout the competition, landing Copa Rayados Internacional MVP honors at the U-14 level.
Under the guidance of head coach Chris O'Neal, the U-15s were also brilliant along the backline throughout the four-game group stage. Sporting finished second in their group with a 2-0-2 record, securing four straight clean sheets in the process, to book a spot in the Silver consolation bracket. A narrow 2-1 defeat to Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in the Silver semifinal denied the U-15s their shot at a trophy.
The U-13s, guided by head coach Luis Pacheco, also earned a spot in the Silver consolation bracket after going 1-2-1 and beating San Antonio FC in the group stage. Sporting ousted Tuzos FC 4-0 in Saturday's Silver semifinal but fell 4-1 to FC Dallas in Sunday's final.
Sporting KC U-15s: Copa Rayados Results
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Opponent</strong> |
<strong>Result</strong> |
<strong>Stage</strong> |
Wed., Nov. 27 |
CF Monterrey (Mexico) |
T 0-0 |
Group A |
Wed., Nov. 27 |
Santos Laguna (Mexico) |
W 1-0 |
Group A |
Thu., Nov. 28 |
Houston Dynamo |
T 0-0 |
Group A |
Thu., Nov. 28 |
West Side Alliance |
W 2-0 |
Group A |
Sat., Nov. 30 |
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros |
L 1-2 |
Silver Semifinal |
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Opponent</strong> |
<strong>Result</strong> |
<strong>Stage</strong> |
Wed., Nov. 27 |
CF Monterrey (Mexico) |
W 1-0 |
Group A |
Wed., Nov. 27 |
Xolos (Mexico) |
W 1-0 |
Group A |
Thu., Nov. 28 |
Rise Texans |
W 4-0 |
Group A |
Thu., Nov. 28 |
Solar |
W 1-0 |
Group A |
Sat., Nov. 30 |
San Antonio FC |
W 6-2 |
Semifinal |
Sun., Dec. 1 |
FC Dallas |
L 0-3 |
Final |
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Opponent</strong> |
<strong>Result</strong> |
<strong>Stage</strong> |
Wed., Nov. 27 |
CF Monterrey (Mexico) |
L 0-2 |
Group A |
Wed., Nov. 27 |
Crossfire Premier |
L 0-3 |
Group A |
Thu., Nov. 28 |
San Antonio FC |
W 3-1 |
Group A |
Thu., Nov. 28 |
Houston Dynamo |
T 0-0 |
Group A |
Sat., Nov. 30 |
Tuzos SC |
W 4-0 |
Silver Semifinal |
Sun., Dec. 1 |
FC Dallas |
L 1-4 |
Silver Final |
The Sporting Kansas City U-12s were also in action over the weekend, traveling to Atlanta for the 2019 Generation adidas Cup. Sporting's tournament campaign was highlighted by a 1-0 victory over Inter Miami CF, which came between group stage defeats to New York City FC and the Chicago Fire. A third-place finish in Group C saw the U-12s fall short of the knockout rounds.
Sporting KC U-12s: Generation adidas Cup Results
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Opponent</strong> |
<strong>Result</strong> |
<strong>Stage</strong> |
Friday, Nov. 29 |
New York City FC |
L 0-2 |
Group C |
Saturday, Nov. 30 |
Inter Miami CF |
W 1-0 |
Group C |
Sunday, Dec. 1 |
Chicago Fire |
L 1-4 |
Group C |
Next Up: U-17s set for DA Cup in Florida
While Sporting Kansas City's younger teams enjoy a holiday break, the U-17s and U-19s are set to visit Premier Sports Campus in Bradenton, Florida, from Dec. 4-8. The U-17s will battle in Group H of the inaugural DA Winter Cup, facing Baltimore Armour, Real Salt Lake and Florida club Weston FC. The U-19s, meanwhile, will play friendly matches against Atlanta United FC, Sacramento Republic FC and D.C. United. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates throughout the week and all season long.
