Beyond the Box Score: Kempin caps League debut with PK save

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jon Kempin made the most of his 45 minutes in last Monday’s MLS Homegrown Game, notching two impressive saves en route to match MVP honors.

As it turns out, Kempin’s big week in the Pacific Northwest was just getting started.

The 21-year-old homegrown product made his unexpected MLS debut Sunday in Vancouver, replacing the injured Andy Gruenebaum at halftime with Sporting KC already down 2-0.

And just like last Monday, Kempin didn’t let the opportunity go to waste.

In an otherwise forgettable performance from the MLS champions, Kempin marked his League debut with a penalty kick save to prevent the Whitecaps’ lead from swelling to three goals. Sporting KC fell 2-0, but Kempin delivered a small consolation and proved he's up for the task in American soccer's top flight.

• VOTE: Kempin for MLS Save of the Week

Gruenebaum injured his right shoulder making a save in the 13th minute and required replacement at halftime. First-string goalkeeper Eric Kronberg remained sidelined with an injured hand, prompting Kempin to step between the posts for the first time in his MLS career.

His breakthrough moment came in the 84th minute when he dove low to his right and pushed a Darren Mattocks penalty kick against the post, earning a Save of the Week nomination.

In doing so, the United States youth international wasted no time entering the MLS history books. Kempin became the second MLS homegrown goalkeeper—behind D.C. United’s Bill Hamid—to save a penalty kick in a game since the Homegrown Player initiative began in mid-2009.

In a rare set of circumstances, Kempin is just the third goalkeeper in MLS history to record the first save of his career on a penalty kick, following Miami Fusion’s Matt Napoleon in August 1998 and LA Galaxy’s Brian Perk in July 2011. Moreover, he is the fifth goalkeeper all-time to save a penalty in his MLS debut.

Goalkeepers to save penalty kicks in their MLS debuts

At 21 years and 125 days old, Kempin was also the fifth youngest MLS keeper to save a penalty, joining an accomplished group that includes two members of the United States 2014 World Cup squad--Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando--as well as a third who has featured for the U.S. senior team in Sean Johnson. Needless to say, the future looks bright for the fifth-year professional, who signed as the club’s first Homegrown product in 2010 and has represented the U.S. at the U-17, U-18, U-20 and U-21 levels.

Youngest MLS goalkeepers to save a penalty kick

One last achievement the Leawood native can scratch off his bucket list? Kempin becomes the second goalkeeper from the state of Kansas to play in an MLS match. The first, of course, was the very man he replaced at halftime—Overland Park native and fellow Blue Valley North alum Andy Gruenebaum.