Kempin Starts Again for U18s

For the second day in a row, Home Grown goalkeeper Jonathan Kempin started for the United States U18 Men's National Team in the Traditional Winter Tournament in Israel. After posting two saves and a shutout yesterday, Kempin was considerably busier today as the U.S. fell 2-1 to the tournament's top team in Germany.

Kempin made nine saves in the match as the United States nearly emerged with a draw despite being outshot 20-3. After a scoreless first half, the U.S. took the lead on a goal from Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler in the 62nd minute. Germany responded with a goal five minutes later and completed the comeback in the 89th minute on a long-range effort off a free kick.

The U.S. finishes 0-2-1 on the trip, while Kempin's final stats are 25 shots faced, 11 saves and 2 goals allowed in 180 minutes of action.

Kempin Posts Shutout for US U18s

Kempin and the U18 USMNT with Jerusalem in the background

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jon Kempin started and posted a shutout on the international stage yesterday as the United States Under-18 Men's National Team tied hosts Israel 0-0 in Kfar Saba. It was the United States second of three games at the four-team Traditional Winter Tournament, and Kempin was given the starting nod by Head Coach Mike Matkovich after being kept in reserve in Tuesday's 3-0 loss to France.

Kempin faced five shots in the match and saved each of the two attempts put on frame for the shutout. The U.S. will now face Germany today, who leads the tournament after a 7-0 win over Israel and 2-1 victory over France.

Following the final friendly, Kempin and the U18's will return home this weekend.

Kempin in Israel

Sporting Kansas City Juniors product Jon Kempin is currently in Tel Aviv, Israel with the United States Under-18 National Team as they take part in a four-nation tournament featuring the U.S., Israel, Germany and France. Kempin, one of two goalkeepers on the trip, backed up Andrew Wolverton and did not play as the United States opened the competition today with a 3-0 loss to the French U18 National Team.

Kempin and Wolverton are familiar competitors for the starting spot, having both been in U18 National Team camps together before. In fact, as recently as 10 days ago they were splitting time for the 92/93 Academy Select team at the Winter Showcase in Phoenix. 

The United States remaining matches are on Thursday against hosts Israel and on Friday in a rescheduled meeting with Germany. Follow JonKempin21 on Twitter for his updates and the U.S. U18 Men's National Team page on USsoccer.com for other news from the tournament.

Moreno at US U17 Camp

U16 Juniors forward Eduardo Moreno is in Bradenton, Florida this week to take part in the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team Mini Camp being held at the IMG Academies. Moreno is one of only 20 players from across the country invited to the camp, and one of only three players from an MLS academy team.

One of the newest members of the U16 Juniors, Moreno joined the squad in time for the Winter Showcase and played in all three games, scoring the game-winning goal against South Central Premier. Read more about Moreno's selection at SportingKC.com and to see him in action, check out game footage of Liberal H.S. below as Moreno scored two goals against Garden City in September.

Winter Showcase Wrap-Up

The U16 and U18 Juniors were bested by the New England Revolution academy teams on Monday at the Winter Showcase, but returned to Kansas City tonight with heads held high from a strong showing after five days in Phoenix (though I've got a feeling they might be missing the warm weather after stepping off the plane in KC).

Both academy teams went 1-1-1 in their three matches, drawing against Cosmos Academy East and defeating South Central Premier prior to Monday's matches. Their U.S. Soccer Development Academy seasons will resume in April, with 2/3 of the schedule still to be played. The U16s are 3-2-2 on the season, while the U18s sit in third place at 2-3-2.

To see some of the action from this weekend, fans can head over to TopDrawerSoccer.com to watch a portion of the U16s and part of the U18s matches on Friday against the Cosmos. The site also interviewed Lucas Throckmorton afterwards, so watch the video for his comments. Lastly, ussoccer.com will be streaming the U16s match against New England on Tuesday afternoon.

Derek Schrick's Top 10 Goal

Check out the first of Derek Schrick's two goals on Friday at the 1:36 mark of U.S. Soccer's Top 10 Goals from Day 1 of the Development Academy Winter Showcase.

Winter Showcase Day 2

Saturday saw a successful showing from both Sporting Kansas City Juniors academy teams as they swept South Central Premier from Connecticut. The u18's were firing on all cylinders and scored four goals in the second half to win 5-0 on goals from five different players. Christian Kirby opened the scoring on a corner kick in the 21st minute, Jordan Rideout doubled the lead with a spectacular diving header in the 56th minute, Raymond Lee added another in the 68th, Garrett Pulliam struck on a header in the 75th minute and Michael Oakley finished the scoring in the 89th. U16 goalkeeper Jacole Turner earned the shutout, as regular starter Jon Kempin was unavailable due to his participation in the 1992/93 Academy Select match earlier in the day (Kempin started and played the first half for the Academy Select blue, pictured above).

The u16s followed with a 1-0 victory in the nightcap under the lights at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix. Eduardo Moreno's goal in the second half stood up as the game's only tally and goalkeeper Evan Wright posted the shutout in goal for the Juniors. The u16's remain in first place in the Frontier Division of the Central Conference with the win.

Both teams will finish the Winter Showcase with matches against the New England Revolution on Monday at 11:15am (local time). The u16's match will stream on ussoccer.com, with more details available here.

Kempin Plays for US

For those who haven't heard about Jon Kempin's recent accolades, check out the pictures and press release below about his appearances with the US Under-20 National Team last week. He's also taking a trip to Israel with the US Under-18 National Team next week. Congrats, Jon!

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jon Kempin, the team’s first Home Grown Player, was selected to the United States Under-20 National Team last week for two matches in the Torneo de las Americas in Kennesaw, Georgia. Kempin started both matches and played every minute in the tournament, a round-robin invitational featuring Colombia and Mexico. Kempin made six saves against Colombia on Friday in his first-ever appearance for the Under-20 team, as the United States fell 3-1 in penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw in regulation. On Sunday, Kempin recorded eight saves in another 1-1 draw before the United States dropped a 4-2 penalty kick shootout against Mexico.

Kempin, one of two goalkeepers on the 18-player roster, joined Thomas Rongen's squad for his first under-20 selection after previously participating at the under-18 level and taking part in the U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program. The 17-year-old from Leawood, Kansas has played in all four U.S. Soccer Development Academy games for the u18 Juniors this year and flew immediately following a u18 match against the Dallas Texans to join the Under-20 National Team. Kempin will return to action with the u18 Juniors in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase in Phoenix this weekend and was selected to the 1992/93 Academy Select team for the second straight year.

Following the Winter Showcase, Kempin will fly to Tel Aviv, Israel after accepting an invitation from the United States Under-18 National Team for games against France, Germany and Israel under head coach Mike Matkovich.

Day One of Winter Showcase

The u16 and u18 Juniors arrived in Phoenix on Thursday for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase and began play today. Both teams faced Cosmos Academy East, whose u16s and u18s were in first place in the Liberty Division with perfect 2-0-0 records entering the match.

The Sporting u18s kicked off first and came back to earn a 1-1 draw. After a scoreless first half, Luckas Throckmorton scored the Juniors goal on an assist from Shane Bowlen. The u16s followed with a draw of their own, tying the Cosmos 2-2. Derek Schrick twice gave the Juniors a lead, first on an assist from David Leichty and then later firing home his own rebound.

The u16 and u18 Juniors will play their second games tomorrow against another team from the East Conference, South Central Premier.

U18's goalkeeper Jon Kempin will have an extra match to participate in on Saturday, as he was selected for the 1992/1993 Academy Select showcase match. Out of all 78 Academy Teams in attendance at this weekend's event, Kempin is part of a very elite group of players identified for the game.

We'll have another post up soon about Kempin, who has been representing more than just Sporting Kansas City as of late.