Sporting KC has partnered with USL PRO clubs Orlando City SC and OKC Energy FC for the 2014 season. As part of the agreement, Sporting KC will loan players to the clubs to play games and gain experience throughout the year. Each week, we’ll recap the performances of the Sporting KC players on loan.
It was a successful week for Sporting KC's USL PRO affiliates as OKC Energy FC and Orlando City both earned road victories. Orlando City moved to the top of the USL PRO standings with a 1-0 win at Charleston Battery and remain unbeaten in the regular season (2-0-2). OKC Energy FC, coached by former captain Jimmy Nielsen, are in fourth place in the table after an impressive 4-0 win at Arizona United SC and a 1-0 loss against FC Dallas reserves.
Looking ahead, both teams have the upcoming weekend off before a home and away series in back-to-back weeks. Orlando City will face FC Dallas reserves on Tuesday, April 22 before heading to Oklahoma City to face OKC Energy FC on Saturday, April 26. The two sides will head to Orlando the following weekend as Sporting Kansas City's two USL PRO affiliates will play each other one week later in Orlando on Sunday, May 4.
Below is a player-by-player recap for the latest matches.
Jon Kempin (OKC Energy FC)
The homegrown goalkeeper started both of OKC Energy FC's matches this past week. Kempin earned his first shutout of the season Saturday at Arizona and followed that up with four saves (including a penalty kick save) in a narrow loss to FC Dallas' reserves. The only match Kempin hasn't started this season was on April 5, when he was recalled to Kansas City due to an injury with goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum.
2014 USL PRO Stats
<u>Matches Played</u> |
<u>Record (W-L-T)</u> |
<u>Goals Against Average</u> |
<u>Shutouts</u> |
<u>Saves</u> |
3 |
1-2-0 |
1.67 |
1 |
10 |
Christian Duke (OKC Energy FC)
Midfielder Christian Duke suffered an early injury in OKC Energy FC's 4-0 victory at Arizona on Saturday. Duke returned to Kansas City following the match to receive treatment and will rejoin the USL PRO club after completing rehab for the injury.
2014 USL PRO Stats
<u>Matches Played</u> |
<u>Minutes Played</u> |
<u>Goals</u> |
<u>Assists</u> |
<u>Shots</u> |
<u>Fouls</u> |
3 |
188 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
Mikey Lopez (Orlando City SC)
Lopez did not feature for Orlando City SC in their 1-0 win at Charleston on Saturday. Through the club's first four matches of the season, Lopez has made one appearance.
2014 USL PRO Stats
<u>Matches Played</u> |
<u>Minutes Played</u> |
<u>Goals</u> |
<u>Assists</u> |
<u>Shots</u> |
<u>Fouls</u> |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
