GA Cup Group Stage Recap: Sporting KC U-17s advance to knockout stage, U-15s to compete in showcase

The 2023 Generation adidas Cup Group Stage has come to a close with the Sporting Kansas City U-17s cementing their place atop Group 6 and moving on to the knockout rounds. A tantalizing matchup awaits as they face LAFC in the Round of 16 on Wednesday. This match will stream live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV App at 4 p.m. CT from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.

After a 2-0 loss to Valencia Tuesday morning, the U-15s just missed out on the knockout rounds but will compete in the GA Cup showcase against other top clubs from MLS and around the globe. First up they will face Pumas UNAM on Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. CT.

The U-17s have played a tough three matches, facing off against Charlotte FC, Atlas FC and Toronto FC. Consistent defense coupled with a strong, well-connected attack led Sporting to an undefeated group stage where they did not concede a single goal.

Against Charlotte, goalkeeper Carlito Saylon saved a penalty in the first to keep the match scoreless. Midway through the second Johann Ortiz found Trajan Wormingtin inside the 18 for the U-17's first score of the tournament. Ryan Reid finished off a Carter Derksen cross to double the lead for Sporting and give them a matchday one victory.

Wormington would go on to score again on matchday 2 against Atlas off a brilliant assist from Alex Cunningham while the defense kept the Liga MX side goalless. Needing a result against Toronto in the group stage finale, the U-17s blanked their Canadian opposition and took home an extra point in kicks from the spot.

Finishing atop Group 6 Sporting KC's U-17s became an automatic qualifier for the knockout round. They will face LAFC, who took down Club America, lost in a shootout to New York Red Bulls and got the better of Inter Miami CF.

Due to a late arrival from one of the clubs in Sporting's U-15 group, their GA Cup campaign started a day late. Following a training session on Saturday morning, they opened the competition against Philadelphia Union on Sunday. A hard-fought match went the Union's way 2-0 despite good chances early on from SKC.

In a terrific bounce-back performance, the U-15s bested Inter Miami CF on matchday two in an exhilarating 2-1 victory. A breakaway goal from Eric Foust and a cooly taken penalty from Ramiz Hamouda were enough to beat Miami in a tight matchup. Tuesday morning, La Liga side Valencia CF outlasted Sporting KC 2-0. Valencia punched their ticket to the knockout round with the win, setting Sporting up to compete in the showcase. Their first match will put them against Pumas on Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. CT.

Throughout the entirety of GA Cup, Sporting KC fans can follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter and Instagram to see the starting lineups, check out final score updates and see photos throughout the prestigious event.

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