Haircuts on the road

When the Juniors aren't playing soccer, they are getting haircuts. Whether it's because they want to try and imitate some of the Senior players or just looking for something to do, it helps them shave down time on the road.

At least the new do's have helped the team on the pitch. The U16s were named Team of the Weekend in the Central Conference by Top Drawer Soccer. The Central Conference is the biggest of four conferences in the USSF and includes teams from a multitude of states like Michigan, New York and Texas.

The U13s, U16s and U18s get a much needed break this weekend while the U15s begin league play. The U16s and U18s will return to action on April 23^rd in USSF league play against St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri.

Youngsters travel with Reserve squad

Three Juniors traveled with the Reserve team on Sunday night to play in Sporting KC's first official Reserve match of the season against Houston Dynamo on Monday morning. Nate Opperman (U16), Wes White (U16) and Konner Knoll (U18) were the three selected. Opperman and White were both in the starting lineup at forward.

The game started at 10 a.m. CT. Follow @SportingKC and @HoustonDynamo on Twitter for live updates of the game.

U16s jump into first place

It was a successful couple days for the U16s at Swope Park. They finished the weekend with two wins and two clean sheets.

On Saturday, the U16s took out Real Colorado 3-0, and on Sunday they beat Coloradio Rush 2-0. Derek Schrick finished with three goals, while Cole Stevenson and Nate Opperman also found the back of the net.

The SKC U18s didn't have as easy of time as they are dealing with a few injuries to key starters. They lost to Real Colorado 2-3 on Saturday with Andrew Mobberely putting in both goals. Sunday wasn't any easier due to reserve call ups and a new injury to starting defender, Michael Oakley. They lost 1-5 to Real Colorado with the lone goal coming from Jordan Rideout.

U16s and U18s at Swope this weekend

The Sporting KC U16 and U18 Juniors will continue their busy schedules with their third and fourth matches of the USSF Development Academy season this weekend.

All games will be played at Swope Park Training Center. Each squad will face Colorado Rush AJ Auxerre on Saturday and Real Colorado on Sunday. The schedule is listed below:

• Saturday, April 9th:
• U18s vs. Colorado Rush AJ Auxerre at 11:30 a.m. CT
• U16s vs. Colorado Rush AJ Auxerre at 2:00 p.m. CT
• Sunday, April 10th
• U18s vs. Real Colorado at 10:30 a.m. CT
• U16s vs. Real Colorado at 1:00 p.m. CT

With the varsity club on bye this week, now's the perfect time to check out the SKC Juniors.

U13s continue to win

The U13s also traveled to Minnesota over the weekend to play in a couple of friendlies. The boys continued their excellent form by beating the Minnesota Thunder U14s 4-1 and the U13s 3-0.

Goals were scored by Logan Lucas, Seth Hudson, John Leisman and Jacob Weaver in the first game. "The boys came out on fire and probably played the most complete game of the season," said Head Coach Dustin Ottesen.

In the second game, Logan Lucas scored his second of the weekend, while the next two were provided by Dakota Karns after he drew a penalty kick and Absalom Solario.

The U13s have played 11 games over the past month with only one loss and nine wins.

Success in Minnesota

The Sporting Kansas City Juniors made their way up north to Minnesota this past weekend and were met by a framed Teal Bunbury jersey as they entered the Shattuck St. Mary's soccer dome (Bunbury attended the high school there). Maybe a little inspiration from the senior team member was all that was needed for a successful weekend for the squads.


On Saturday, the U18s tied Shattuck St. Mary's 2-2. Andrew Mobberley, a new member of the team from New Zealand, recorded his first assist with the club. They then played the Minnesota Thunder on Sunday and came away with a 3-2 win. Jordan Rideout and Will Witherspoon each had two goals on the weekend, as Tom Adams also scored and had an assist.

The U16s won 2-0 on the first day and drew with the Thunder 0-0 on Sunday. Wes White and David Leichty each had goals in the win. This was the continuation of US Soccer Development Academy play for the U16s and U18s and marked their first games of the 2011 calendar year.

The teams will have their first home matches of the season against Colorado Rush and Real Colorado this weekend at the Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park.

U.S. Developmental Academy gets underway

The U16s and U18s travel to Minnesota this weekend for matches against Shattuck-Saint Mary's and Minnesota Thunder. This is the start of the spring session of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

The second half of the season consists of 14 games against clubs from Colorado, Minnesota and St. Louis.

Also in Minnesota this weekend, the U13s will be playing the Thunder on Saturday and Sunday in a couple friendlies.

Check back next week to see how the Juniors fared.