Sporting Kansas City Juniors

The Sporting Kansas City Juniors Youth Development Program has experienced a highly successful history since being formed in 2007. Multiple tournaments have been won by all teams, including in 2009 when all four teams won their respective Kansas State Cup Championship divisions. 

The program currently consists of four teams: the U13s, U14s, U16s and U18s. 

Starting in 2009, the two older teams joined the Frontier Conference of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. The USSDA features teams from the top youth clubs from around the country. Each Academy team plays approximately 30 regular season games to ensure all games are meaningful.

The U13 and U14 teams play in the Midwest Regional League, Kansas State Cup competitions and other various high-level tournaments across the country. 

The U18 team has produced two players that were signed to the Sporting Kansas City Senior Team. Goalkeeper Jon Kempin signed in August 2010, while Kevin Ellis signed in February 2011. The U18s players also continue to make college commitments for top soccer schools across the country, including St. Louis University, Southern Methodist University, Ohio State, Virginia Tech and many more.  

Last season the U16s qualified for the USSDA playoffs in Frisco, TX. The U16s and U18s began the 2010-11 USSDA season in December 2011, with games resuming in March. All home games are played at the teams’ Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park.

The Juniors program is fully funded, meaning the Juniors cover all costs for gear and traveling expenses. Sporting Kansas City and the Juniors also offer youth camps throughout the calendar year, with four camps to be offered in 2011.

SKC Juniors players have the opportunity to eventually join the Sporting Kansas City first team without going through the MLS draft process. In late 2006, Major League Soccer announced an initiative that created a “Home Grown Protected List” for each team. Clubs now have the opportunity to retain the professional rights of players developed within its youth academy. Sporting immediately began investing significant resources in the identification and development of young players from the region.