Sporting Kansas City Academy

The Sporting Kansas City academy 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 U12s, U14s, U16s and U18s. 

The U16 and U18 teams play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. U.S. Soccer created the USSDA in 2007 to improve the everyday environment for the elite youth player. The USSDA is a partnership between U.S. Soccer

and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an everyday environment designed to produce the next generation of National Tea m players. The Academy also connects National Team coaches directly with the Academy clubs to develop and identify players and coaches for future Youth National Teams. In 2011, our U16 team qualified for the USSDA playoffs in Frisco, TX.

The U12 and U14 teams play in the National Premier League through US Club Soccer, State Cup and other various high-level tournaments across the country. In 2012, our U13 team won the Great Lakes 

Division which features top clubs in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. (nplmidwest.demosphere.com)

The Sporting KC Academy has produced two players that were signed to the Sporting Kansas City Professional Team. Goalkeeper Jon Kempin signed in August 2010, while Defender Kevin Ellis signed in February 2011. The U18s players also continue to make college commitments for top

soccer schools acro ss the country, including Creighton, St. Louis University, Southern Methodist University, Ohio State, Virginia Tech and many more.  

The academy program is fully funded, meaning the academy covers all costs for gear and traveling expenses. All home games are played at the teams’ Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park. Sporting Kansas City and the Academy also offer youth camps throughout the calendar year.

SKC academy 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.

If you have any questions, please contact Jon Farrell at jfarrell@sportingkc.com or by phone at 913-387-3883.