Sporting Kansas City II announced today that the club has signed Sporting Kansas City Academy players Jacob Bartlett and Ethan Schaefer to MLS NEXT Pro amateur contracts.
MLS NEXT Pro amateur contracts are on a single-game basis, preserving Bartlett and Schaefer's NCAA eligibilities. They will be available for selection on Sunday for Sporting Kansas City II's home match against St. Louis CITY2.
Bartlett joins SKC II for a second stint after making his pro debut last season at FC Cincinnati 2. The defender has represented Sporting at the U-12 through U-19 academy levels. He was a member of the U-14 side that won the 2019 LA Galaxy Cup and gradually rose the ranks as an integral contributor for the U-15, U-17 and U-19 teams that represented Sporting in MLS NEXT and the UPSL.
Schaefer, a Kansas City, Missouri native joined the Sporting Kansas City Academy in 2019. He began his Academy journey with the U-14s and has represented the club at the U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels as well. The 18-year-old has competed at GA Cup qualifiers, MLS NEXT FLEX and MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.
Sporting Kansas City II is back at Rock Chalk Park on Sunday to take on St. Louis CITY2 in their first of three meetings in the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT and tickets are on sale at SeatGeek.com. The match will also stream live on MLSNEXTPro.com and the MLS YouTube channel.
Transaction: Sporting Kansas City II signs defender Jacob Bartlett and forward Ethan Schaefer to an MLS NEXT Pro amateur contract.
VITALS
Jacob Bartlett
Position: Defender
Birthdate: 10/07/2005 (18 years old)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 165 lbs.
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Birthplace: Overland Park, KS
Ethan Schaefer
Position: Forward
Birthdate: 02/09/2006 (18 years old)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160 lbs.
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri
