Two Juniors Trial for First Team

Sporting Kansas City Juniors Konner Knoll and Kevin Ellis were invited to show their talents at the senior team's invitation-only combine, which began today and continues through Wednesday as part of the club's 2011 pre-season. This marked the second straight season that Knoll was given the chance to impress the coaching staff and the Wichita, KS native said he was excited to go through the experience alongside a fellow Juniors product. Ellis was part of the U17 squad that finished runners-up at the 2007 SUM Cup and the Oak Park H.S. alum was also a member of the U19 team at the Kansas State Cup last year.

On the first day, each of them was more than happy to be given the chance.

“You’ve just got to play like you’ve been playing your whole life and make the most of the opportunity,” remarked Ellis. While Knoll was a little more blunt when saying, “You can’t be scared.”

The two Juniors are taking the experience in stride and no matter how it turns out, are enjoying the ride.

"I'm grateful for the Juniors program," said Ellis. "It gave me this opportunity as a teenager and not a lot of people can say that they've participated in a professional-level environment like this."

-- Written by Adam Zdroik.