Tuesday, October 25, 2011

 News and Notes

High school soccer season is in full swing as postseason competition is already upon us! Here is a sampling of some of the top news and notes from Sporting Kansas City Juniors players in the area...
  • Check out the video below of Garrett Pulliam's goal and celebration in Blue Valley West's win over Bishop Miege.
  • Derek Schrick and Jacole Turner each earned spots on the ESPNHS Starting XI as top high school players in the state of Missouri, and were also named to the top 150 college prospects for the Class of 2012. Fort Osage High School's Billy Vigil also received recognition on the list.
  • Speaking of Schrick, ESPNHS talked to him and his Rockhurst teammates about the team yoga sessions they take part in. Check out the video and story here.
  • Sporting Kansas City Juniors players Nate Opperman and Clay Stewart have been influential for Olathe South this season as they won the Summit League.
  • Also in Kansas, Shawnee Mission South head coach Travis Gatewood credited SKC Juniors player David Leichty for his leadership on the team this season.
  • At Blue Valley Northwest, two SKC Juniors are captaining a team with state ambitions as Chris Tuso is leading the team in goals and Eric DeJulio is anchoring the defense.
  • Check out the news feature below on Liberal High School's 11th straight Western Athletic Conference title, courtesy of SKC Juniors player Eduardo Moreno's OT goal in a 1-0 win over Dodge City.

Friday, October 21, 2011

 U13's Video/Photo Recap

The Sporting Kansas City Under-13 Juniors are the only team in the Midwest Development League with four wins through their first four matches, after picking up two victories in Chicago last weekend. Check out the video below and click here for a photo gallery to see the U13's in action.

Video a collaboration between Peter Wilkinson, Chris Bihuniak & Gerry High

Monday, October 17, 2011

 Former Juniors Roundup


Sporting Kansas City has several Juniors academy products continuing their soccer careers in college programs across the country. Click here to see the full list from August with background information on each player and then check below for the latest update on some of the top performers thus far in 2011...
  • Tom Adams (Oral Roberts) -- Scored in 83rd and 88th minutes of 4-0 victory over UNO earlier this month. Now has three goals, second most on squad, in 12 games played.
  • Christian Duke (San Diego) -- Recorded three assists in back-to-back wins over Penn and Manhattan in September. His three assists are second most on the team in 12 games played. Click here to see a postgame interview with Christian.
  • Brandon Fricke (Butler) - Defender scored game-tying goal for Bulldogs to help them win the Dayton Marriott Classic in September. Has one goal and one assist in 12 games played.
  • Konner Knoll (UMKC) -- Scored first career collegiate goal in 3-1 win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday. He now has one goal and one assist in 12 games played.
  • Raymond Lee (SLU) -- The Billikens' leading scorer has four goals and one assist, and has started all 12 games for Saint Louis.
  • Kyle Miller (Rockhurst) -- Has one assist in 11 starts for the Hawks.
  • Paul Oliver (Oral Roberts) -- Has two assists in 12 games played for the Golden Eagles.
  • Peter O'Neill (Northwestern) -- Has started all 14 games for the Wildcats, recording three assists.
  • Jordan Rideout (UMKC) -- Started all 12 games for the Roos and leads team with two goals, including a free kick from 40 yards out on Saturday in their 3-1 win.
  • Jimmy Simon (UMKC) -- Teammates with Knoll and Rideout, Jimmy has one goal in 12 games played this season.

 U13s Remain Atop MDL Standings

The Sporting Kansas City U13 Juniors extended their winning streak to 10 straight matches this weekend and remain in first place in the Midwest Development League after two wins in Illinois.

On Saturday, the U13's earned a 2-1 win over Sockers FC Chicago on goals from Oliver Bihuniak and Memo Carrasco. Goalkeeper Diego Alanis withstood the windy conditions in net for the victory.

With eight goals scored in their first three MDL matches, the U13s nearly doubled their offensive output on Sunday with a resounding 7-0 win over FC United. Dorian Hernandez led the way with two goals, and head coach Matt Trump touted the midfield unit of Evan Carlisle, Roman Knox, Patrick Wilkinson, Edson Murguia, and Chase Bromstedt for controlling the match throughout.

The U13's lead all MDL teams with the maximum 12 points from their first four matches and will resume League play on October 29th against BVSC at the Overland Park Soccer Complex.

 Recap: U14s win big in MDL

The Sporting Kansas City U14 Juniors picked up their first win in the Midwest Development League in convincing fashion on Sunday, earning a 9-0 victory over FC United in Glenview, Illinois. Four different players -- John Leisman, Dominick Parry, Absolom Solario and Payton Brown -- scored twice for Sporting, while Trevor Cissell was also on the scoresheet.

The victory improved their record to 1-2-1, after falling 1-0 on Saturday against Sockers FC Chicago in windy conditions in Schaumburg, Illinois. Despite controlling most of the match according to head coach Dustin Ottesen, the home side scored late in the second half to steal the three points.

"We now look forward to two weeks of training before out next league game against Sporting BVSC," Ottesen said. "We are hopeful to get almost everyone back from injuries by that game."

 Opperman receives Bob Gansler Award


Congratulations to Nate Opperman, recipient of the 2011 Bob Gansler Award given to the most outstanding Sporting Kansas City Juniors player. Nate received the award at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on Saturday, before the club's big win over the New York Red Bulls that clinched a playoff spot for the senior team!

Opperman, a senior at Olathe South High School, played in 23 games for the Sporting Kansas City Under-16 Juniors during the 2010-11 US Soccer Development Academy season, leading the team with eight goals against the top club teams in the Central Conference. He also scored four goals at the U17 Generation adidas Cup and has started three matches for the Sporting Kansas City senior team in the 2011 MLS Reserve League to date.

Opperman is verbally committed to beginning his college career at the University of Evansville.

Friday, October 14, 2011

 Juniors in action in Illinois

The Sporting Kansas City under-13 and under-14 Juniors will travel North this weekend to take on Sockers FC Chicago on Saturday and FC United on Sunday in the Great Lakes Division of the Midwest Developmental League. Sporting KC U13's are currently in a three way tie for the lead in the NPL Midwest League's Great Lakes division with the Chicago Magic and Chicago Fire Academy. With only three games remaining on this month's schedule, this weekend's games will be vital for their championship hopes.

U13's Schedule:
  • Saturday, October 15th vs. Sockers FC Chicago at 12:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 16th vs. FC United at 9:00 a.m.
  • Saturday, October 29th vs. Blue Valley SC at 11:00 a.m.
U14's Schedule:
  • Saturday, October 15th vs. Sockers FC Chicago at 2:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 16th vs. FC United at 11:00 a.m.
  • Saturday, October 29th vs. pm Blue Valley SC at 1:00 p.m.
Follow @SKCJuniors on Twitter for all the latest news and information.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

 Jacole Turner honored


Congrats to Sporting KC Juniors goalkeeper Jacole Turner, selected as the Kansas City Star's High School Athlete of the Week. Read their bio on Jacole below, then also check out this feature in the Lee's Summit Journal earlier this week. Jacole, along with Juniors teammate Derek Schrick, were also both selected to the Missouri All-State Starting 11 by ESPNHS.

SCHOOL: Lee’s Summit North

YEAR: Senior

SPORT: Boys soccer

Through 15 games, Turner, the Broncos goalkeeper, has racked up 11 shutouts and allowed only four goals. “He’s really athletic. He’s driven and over the course of his years here in high school, he has really made great strides,” Broncos coach Tim Richardson said. Turner recorded shutouts last week against Raytown South and Liberty. “He’s absolutely a key reason we are 14-1,” Richardson said. Turner is also a member of the Sporting Kansas City junior squad and occasionally is a reserve trainee with the team.

Turner was named to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy All-Central Conference Starting XI in July for his play with the U16s during the 2010-11 USSDA season, and started for Sporting Kansas City at the U17 Generation adidas Cup at Pizza Hut Park this summer.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

 Video: U13s Fall Classic Champs

The Sporting Kansas City U13 Juniors were crowned champions of the SLSG Boys Fall Classic on Sunday with three wins in their three matches in the U13 Pre-Academy Division. Read yesterday's post for the full recap, and check out the highlights below for footage from all 14 goals scored in Illinois over the weekend:

Video courtesy of Chris Bihuniak.

Monday, October 10, 2011

 U13s at SLSG Fall Classic

The Sporting Kansas City U13 Juniors continued their winning ways this weekend at the SLSG Boys Fall Classic. Playing in the Pre-Academy Division, the top bracket in their age division, the U13s faced the top three ranked teams in Missouri and emerged with three wins after outscoring the competition 17 to 1.

On Saturday, Sporting won 6-0 over Springfield SC. Guillermo "Memo" Carrasco scored twice in a three-minute span and goalkeeper Diego Alanis recorded his seventh shutout of the 2011-12 season in the victory. In their second match of the day, SKC were 4-0 winners over Lou Fusz, with head coach Matt Trumpp crediting the backline of Shane Kopplin, Alex Kaddah, Maxwell Harrington and Tanner Richardson for their performances in holding the St. Louis side to just two shots in the match.

The U13s capped off the weekend on Sunday with a 4-1 win over hosts St. Louis Scott Gallagher Elite. Patrick Wilkinson scored twice for Sporting to highlight a strong showing for the Sporting midfielder.

The U13s have now won their last seven matches with an astounding 31 goals for and just one goal against and will travel to Chicago this weekend to continue play in the National Premier League. They'll look to extend their lead atop the standings against Sockers FC Chicago and FC united.

 U14 Juniors at SLSG Fall Classic

The Sporting Kansas City U14 Juniors faced three of the top 5 teams in the region over the weekend in the Pre-Academy Division of the SLSG Boys Fall Classic but were left shorthanded against some of the Midwest's top teams after suffering a series of injuries.

Their tournament got off to a strong start with a 1-0 halftime lead in their opening game against Chicago Magic PSG Pre-Academy, the only goal the team from Illinois allowed in the tourney, but the eventual group winners capitalized on the loss of two SKC defenders in the second half en route to a 6-1 victory in the two teams rematch of the 2010 regional final.

The U14s second game on Saturday came against Carmel United, the state champions from Indiana. After hitting the crossbar twice and forcing their keeper to make several superb stops, Sporting suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat. Finishing the weekend with just 13 available players, the U14s fell 3-0 on Sunday to hosts St. Louis Scott Gallagher Elite.

"It has been a struggle but hopefully one that is making us stronger once we get everyone back," said head coach Dustin Otteson. "The boys are still working very hard but we are ready for a little luck and good health."

The U14s will travel to Chicago this weekend to face Sockers FC Chicago and FC United in the National Premier League.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

 Juniors at SLSG Boys Fall Classic


The Sporting Kansas City under-13 and under-14 Juniors will travel to Collinsville and Granite City, Illinois this weekend for the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Boys Fall Classic, one of the top events in Region II. Both teams will compete in the Pre-Academy Division, the highest level of competition available in their age group.

  • Saturday, October 8th vs. Springfield SC 98/99 I at 7:30 a.m.
  • Saturday, October 8th vs. Lou Fusz SC - Stauder - Premier at 1:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 9th vs. SLSG Elite 98/99 at 10:30 a.m.
  • Saturday, October 8th vs. Chicago Magic PSG Pre-Academy 1 at 12:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 8th vs. Carmel United SC Elite 98 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 9th vs. SLSG Elite 97/98 at 7:30 a.m.
Follow @BoysFallClassic on Twitter for news and updates from the tournament, as well as @SKCJuniors for all the latest information.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

 U13 Video Highlights

The U13 Sporting Kansas City Juniors sit atop the Midwest Development League standings in the U13 Great Lakes Division with wins in each of their first two matches (2-0 vs St. Louis Scott Gallagher-Metro and 4-0 vs St. Louis Scott Gallagher-Missouri). Check out the video below for highlights from their opening weekend in MDL play...


The U13's followed up the successful showing at the Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park with a weekend of friendlies on October 1st and 2nd against Omaha FC and St. Louis Scott Gallagher-Missouri. Special thanks to Chris Bihuniak for the video compilation...