Sporting Kansas City's U-17s will look to cement their name atop MLS NEXT when they compete at the 2024 MLS NEXT Cup in Nashville Tennessee from June 15-23. The single-elimination tournament kicks off for the U-17s on Sunday as they take on the Portland Timbers at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Sporting KC's U-15s will participate in the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase, playing in three matches in front of national team and college scouts from around the country.
Sporting's U-17s are led by head coach Angel Rivillo in his first year with Sporting KC. His group gave an impressive showing at GA Cup, making it to the Quarterfinals of the prestigious event after defeating FC Cincinnati in come-from-behind fashion in the Round of 16. Needing to go atop their group at MSL NEXT Flex to earn playoff qualification, the U-17s rattled off three straight wins in Boyds, Maryland to punch their ticket to the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.
The squad took down Ventura County Fusion and De Anza Force before dispatching Atlanta United on the final day of Flex in an end-to-end battle that secured their playoff spot. A close-knit group, the 2023-24 U-17s boast a talented roster with five players having earned pro minutes with Sporting Kansas City II. They will take on Portland in the opening round of playoffs on Sunday and with a positive result, face the winner of New York Soccer Club and Weston FC in the Round of 16.
First Name | Last Name |
Tomiwa | Adewumi |
Dominik | Baczewski |
Beau | Barren |
Aiden | Benitez |
Alex | Cunningham |
Carter | Derksen |
Shane | Donovan |
Kashan | Hines |
Ian | James |
Andrew | Johnson |
Jaxson | Kalinka |
Troy | Lor |
Ronald | Lozano |
Renan | Mendoza |
Jacob | Molinaro |
Johann | Ortiz |
Chinelo | Robinson |
Zane | Wantland |
Trajan | Wormington |
Nate | Young |
The U-15s, coached by Luis Pacheco, will conclude the 2023-24 MLS NEXT season with three showcase matches in Nashville. A year highlighted by a GA Cup Premier Bracket runner-up finish, the U-15s posted a 1-1-1 record at MLS NEXT Flex, drawing with Met Oval, slipping to Atlanta United and defeating San Francisco Glens. The group is comprised of talented, up-and-coming U-15 players and a pair of U-14 players who recently placed second at the prestigious Patterson Cup hosted at Swope Soccer Village.
The three showcase matches will see Sporting take on West Florida Flames, Ventura County Fusion and Rochester NY FC Academy.
First Name | Last Name |
Eman | Alicic |
Santino | Barberena |
Roman | Boxman |
Kyan | Detmer |
Jesus | Enriquez |
Jack | Francka |
Sergio | Garcia |
Alex | Gemeinhardt |
Emilio | Jacinto-Lopez |
Justin | Jones |
Colin | Kyser |
Mays | Landers |
Zamir | Loyo Reynada |
Colin | Lysinger |
Ben | Nylund |
Austin | Thompson |
Joel | Ward |
Sutton | Williams |
Opponent | Date | Time (CT) |
|---|---|---|
West Florida Flames | Saturday, June 15 | 4:15 p.m. |
Ventura County Fusion | Monday, June 17 | 11 a.m. |
Rochester NY FC Academy | Tuesday, June 18 | 2 p.m. |
About MLS NEXT
Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America. With a commitment to innovation and providing access and representation, MLS NEXT players receive the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Throughout a season, MLS NEXT hosts four marquee events across the country, including the Generation adidas Cup, which
features MLS academies playing against the top international clubs. Membership for the 2023-24 season includes 29 MLS academies, 114 Elite Academies (143 total clubs), 677 teams and over 15,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, and DoorDash. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
