Academy Way
Today, TopDrawerSoccer.com released their Top 150 rankings for boys players in the Class of 2017. Two of Sporting Kansas City Academy’s very own U14 players, Roman Knox and Patrick Wilkinson, earned their way into the Top 150. These teammates aren’t far apart on the list either, with Knox in the 144th spot and Wilkinson being ranked at No. 146.
This is the first ranking for the class of 2017 by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Along with the first Top 150 ranking, TDS will also announce the class of 2017’s first regional team lists throughout the week.
To rank the nation's Top 150 players for any class can be a complicated affair. TopDrawerSoccer.com explains the work that goes into each ranking. Click here to see all of the Top 150 rankings, and check back with TDS quarterly for updated rankings.
All four Sporting Kansas City Academy teams were back at it again last weekend. The U18's and U16's traveled to the University of Tulsa to play Solar Chelsea in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, while the U14's and U12's headed to Springfield to play Springfield SC in National Premier League competition.
Solar Chelsea has proven to be a very dominant club throughout the season with their U18's currently sitting in 2nd place and their U16s atop the table.
The Sporting KC U18's tested Solar Chelsea as the score was level at 1-1 in the 80th minute from an Isai Gutierrez goal assisted by Matt Bernard. Solar Chelsea was able to break down Sporting KC late, scoring two goals in the last ten minutes of the match to hand the Sporting KC U18's a 3-1 defeat.
The Sporting KC U16's also put in a quality effort despite going down 2-0 early in the match. Cole Stevenson and Matt Lewis each notched a goal for the Sporting KC Academy side before the team eventually fell to Solar Chelsea 3-2.
The U14's and U12's yielded a bit more tangible success, both earning victories. The U14's earned the 1-0 win courtesy of an Adam Collinsworth goal in the first half of the match. The U12's also secured a victory by a slim one-goal margin, beating Springfield SC 4-3 with goals from Abdu Kikhia, Collin Innes, Luke Rafanan and Dylan Cooper.
The U12's and U14's will host FC Milwakee at the Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park on Saturday. The U16's and U18's will resume play on Sunday when they take on the Texas Rush, also to be held at Swope Park.
As the youth soccer season was kicking off earlier this spring, the Sporting Club Network announced the #1Crest1Club campaign presented by Chipotle on Twitter. This online contest offered a chance for members of the Sporting Club Network to win Chipotle gift cards and even tickets to a Sporting KC match.
Here at Sporting Kansas City, we believe that we are all a part of the same club and the same team. From our professionals playing at Sporting Park, to a U8 recreational team playing in a small rural town – we are all represented by the same crest. Network members from clubs across the Midwest showed this by taking a picture of the Sporting Club patch on their jersey and tweeting it to the Sporting Club Network (@SportingKC_SCN), with the hashtag #1Crest1Club.
The grand prize winner of the contest was Matt Anderson (otherwise known as @HuskerDad3) of Sporting Lincoln FC, Sporting Club’s Academy Affiliate in Lincoln, Nebraska. Matt, his wife Lori, daughter Hailey, and son Zach, all came out this past Sunday and let us treat them to a night in the Victory Suite. Besides getting to enjoy Sporting KC’s 4-0 rout of Chivas USA in Sporting Park’s most luxurious suite, the Anderson’s also got to have a tour of the stadium and even got to meet a handful of players, including a quick photo opp with captain Jimmy Nielsen, after he recorded his club-record 38th regular season shutout.
After following up with our contest winners, the Anderson's couldn't have been more pleased with how the night went. Hailey had recently had a stress fracture in her foot and showed up to Sporting Park in a boot, telling us that she couldn't play soccer for at least a month. Matt said that winning this contest "really gave Hailey a pick-me-up. She was dancing around on one foot when she found out we won!" Matt went on to talk about how intently his kids (not to mention his wife and himself) got into the game and how cool being able to meet the players was. He also made a point to let us know he felt Sporting KC was "doing everything right as a club for the game, the community, and the fans", and that he and his family were very grateful for this special opportunity.
To view entries in the Spring 2013 #1Crest1Club campaign and to see pictures of the Anderson’s VIP experience at Sporting Park, view the slideshow below. To learn more about the #1Crest1Club campaign, visit www.sportingkc.com/scn/1crest1club. Thanks to all who participated!
TDS tracks and compiles the top players nationally in several age groups. The site provides coverage of college and high school soccer, promoting the game and the players who play it.
Photo courtesy of @nickbarbir
Sporting Kansas City U16 Academy defender Erik Palmer-Brown was in the starting lineup for the United States Under-15 Boys' National Team for their fourth straight match on Saturday at the Tournament Delle Nazioni. The U.S. fell 2-1 to Croatia in the semifinals, held in Kotschach, Austria. The Yanks lone goal came from Joshua Perez (Fiorentina) from the penalty spot in the first half.
Palmer-Brown, a Lee's Summit resident, will now return to Bradenton, Fla. where he is a member of the U.S. Soccer Residency Program. Croatia advances to the final and will play the winner between Japan-Mexico.
In the starting lineup for the third straight match, Sporting Kansas City U16 Academy defender Erik Palmer-Brown helped the United States Under-15 Boys' National Team to a 2-0 win over Slovenia today at the Torneo Delle Nazioni in Grandisca, Italy. The U.S. secured their second clean sheet of the tournament and got goals from Joshua Perez and Christian Pulisic to move past Slovenia in the Group A standings.
- USA 5pts
- Slovenia 4pts
- Chile 3pts
- Italy 2pts
The United States advances to the semifinals to face the winner of Group B (likely Croatia) on Saturday. Palmer-Brown, a Lee's Summit resident, is currently a member of the U.S. Soccer Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. and is one of 19 players chosen by head coach Tony Lepore for the 12-team international tournament. He started in the team's 0-0 draw with Italy on Tuesday and again in a 1-1 draw against Chile yesterday.
Sporting Kansas City U16 Academy defender Erik Palmer-Brown started his second straight match for the U.S. Under-15 Boys' National Team today in a 1-1 draw against Chile at the Tournament Delle Nazioni. Two days after earning a scoreless draw against hosts Italy, the U.S. got a goal from Alejandro Zendejas (FC Dallas) in the game's final minute and now sit in a tie for second place heading into their Group A finale on Friday against leaders Slovenia. The top four sides from the 12-team international tournament will advance to the semifinals on Saturday.
Palmer-Brown, a Lee's Summit, Mo. resident who is currently attending the U.S. Soccer Residency Program, is one of 19 players on the trip under head coach Tony Lepore. Follow @ussoccer_ynt for updates.
Sporting Kansas City U16 Academy defender Erik Palmer-Brown started for the U.S. Under-15 Boys' National Team today as they opened the Tournament Delle Nazioni with a 0-0 draw against hosts Italy. One of 19 players on the trip, Palmer-Brown traveled from the U.S. Soccer Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. to Grandisca, Italy for the 12-team international tourney.
Head coach Tony Lepore's squad are competing in Group A and will next play Chile on Thursday before wrapping up the group stage against Slovenia on Friday. The semifinals are scheduled for May 4 with the championship to be decided on May 5.
Palmer-Brown is a Lee's Summit, Mo. resident and was named Player of the Game against Italy by one observer:
Italy vs USA final 0-0, 2nd half subs Wright , Olasunde, Rice. USA outchanced Italy again 3-1. POTG my opinion Pulisic and Palmer-Brown
— Nick Barbir (@nickbarbir) April 30, 2013
Sporting Kansas City U12 and U14 Academy teams played National Premier League games in Cleveland and Columbus this past weekend. On Saturday, the opponent for both age groups was the Cleveland Internationals before facing the Crew Pre-Academy on Sunday.
The U12s suffered back-to-back losses by a scoreline of 3-0 on Saturday and 2-1 on Sunday. Luke Rafanan scored the lone goal.
The U14s went undefeated on the weekend scoring five goals and tallying two clean sheets. The U14s won their match on Saturday 2-0 with goals from Fernando Borges and Israel Rocha. The team earned a 3-0 victory on Sunday with goals from Adam Collinsworth, Israel Rocha, and Memo Carrasco.
The U12 and U14 Academy teams head to Springfield to face Springfield SC on Saturday.
Sporting KC's U16 and U18 Academy teams will resume play on Saturday versus Solar Chelsea after having last weekend off.
Sporting Kansas City U16 Academy forward Cole Stevenson has made a verbal commitment to continue his soccer career at the University of Denver for head coach Bobby Muus.
“Truthfully, I knew it was the right choice for me after my first visit,” Stevenson told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “I liked everything about it. Not only is the campus amazing but it has both a strong academy and soccer program. The coaches were honest and upfront with me and really showed interest in my future at DU.”
After going 11-6-3 in 2012, the Pioneers will join The Summit League (NCAA Division I) in 2013 and play their home games at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium which opened in August 2009 and recently hosted the U.S. Men's National Team. Notable alumni include Real Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers and the program has produced four MLS SuperDraft selections in the last five years.
Stevenson has appeared in 20 matches during the 2012-13 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season and is second on the squad with seven goals. He led the team with 13 goals in 24 games during the 2011-12 season and is part of Rockhurst High School's Class of 2014.