Kempin headed to Portugal with U18 MNT

SKC goalkeeper and former SKC Junior, Jon Kempin, was selected for the U18 MNT that will travel to Portugal for the Lisbon International Tournament on Thursday. The Leawood, KS native was the first ever homegrown player signed by Sporting KC. He’ll hopefully be featuring in games against the Netherlands, Portugal, and Finland next week.

In other big news for next week - Sporting KC Juniors U18's and U16's tryouts are scheduled to take place Monday through Wednesday (23rd-25th) at Sporting Club Training Center at Swope Park.

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.

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.

Catch Up-Some Old, Some New

I am sure I am forgetting plenty of articles about our Juniors but here is some of them from the past few months. There was a good profile on Konner Knoll here. Cameron Wallace of the U16s was given the award as "Star of the Day" here.

The U15s coached by Edmond Rugova won their division while playing in the Premier Heartland league by defeating KCFC Dragons 1-0. The complete table can be found here.

Jon Kempin and three other members of the Senior Squad visited Blue Valley North HS to play a little Soccer Volleyball. Since we only had four players, Kempin grabbed two of his U18s teamates: Jordy Rideout and Paul Oliver to make a full 6 man team. Check out the video from the event.

Great Video about Kempin

I few of Jon Kempin's classmates from BVN made this video about me. Well Done!

Jon 3:16 from Studio 424 on Vimeo.

Questions answered about Kempin

As you all know by now we have signed our first
Home Grown player, Jon Kempin. I have been
asked quite a few questions over the last 24hrs,
so hopefully this will help:

• Jon is considered both a Home Grown player and a Generation adidas player
• Jon will finish/graduate from High school in Dec. 2010
• He did his medical physical today
• He will start training immediately and then will attend HS from 1pm-3pm, Monday through Friday
• He is also taking taking two classes online towards HS graduation
  
• He will still play/be eligible for the U18 Development Academy-VERY IMPORTANT
• He will be allowed to attend all high school events such as homecoming and anything else that may come up
• He will attend pre season with the Senior Team in 2011
• He is interested in taking college classes in 2011 at an area college depending on his schedule...but education is very important to he and his family

Any other questions...just let us know.

Kempin Signs Pro Deal

Today we announced a major first for our organization, the signing of goalkeeper Jon Kempin as our first Home Grown Player. Kempin, 17, goes to Blue Valley North High School and has been a member of the U16 and U18 USA National Teams over the past couple years. For some quotes from the presser, take a look at our Twitter page: http://www.Twitter.com/KCWizards.

Take a look at this video from April just before Kempin went on U18 duty:

Juniors with the First Team

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, three KCW Juniors players joined the first team for training. Defender Konner Knoll (from Wichita), goalkeeper Jonathan Kempin (US U-18 National Team) and striker Jordan Rideout (2010 U16 leading goal-scorer and son of Paul, former Wizards player) became the first Juniors players to get an extended look with the first team. Watch the video above to see what Peter Vermes thinks about having the young players get a look with the senior team and how the guys themselves thought the experience went.

Three Juniors Players TRAIN with the Senior team

Jordy Rideout gets interviewed after training with the Senior Team

Peter Vermes, head coach, invited three of the KCW Juniors U18 players to train with the senior team this week. The players are forward, Jordan Rideout, who scored 14goals this year in the USSF Development Academy. Defender, Konner Knoll who is a very physically strong; technically smart outside back. And lastly GK, Jon Kempin who is consistently ON and a real force in the net.

The boys seemed to mesh with the team and visibly fit in well. Jordy's quote after training was "that was hard and fast but a lot of fun." We will let you know how the next three days go....

This could be the start to our future; player that grow up in our system...a little HomeGrown Player action Love it!

Dallas Texans and Pool Work-Out

Last night the U16 Jrs took on the Dallas Texans who were the 2009 National Champs. It was a must win match if we wanted to have a chance to go on to the Finals. As we need to finish 1st in our group; so we need to win tomorrow and need Baltimore Bays to lose. Anyway, it took us about 25mins before we settled down and started actually moving the ball around and looking like a team. Shortly asfter Jordy Rideout scored a goal that was very similar to Friday's goal. Jon Kempin got the ball to Derek Schrick and Rideout chipped the keeper once again. The second half was very physical with Kempin making a few huge saves and one of their players getting a red card. The "extra time" of four minutes honestly felt like an HOUR. But we came away with a 1-0 victory.

Today we started with a pool workout that was comedy. We did jumping jacks, leg kicks, skipping all in the water and then ended the session with some relay races. Konner Knoll was an expert in the back stroke and Romeo Munoz really wanted NOTHING to do with swimming. All in all is was good to get the boys moving on their day off. The rest the day was spent at the mall, movies or visiting colleges (UNC & Duke).

We play Chivas USA tomorrow at 11am so stay TUNED.

Team Dinner and Baltimore Bays

We arrived here is Greensboro on Thursday Mid-day after a very early departure from MCI. Had a few problems at Enterprise Rental car (of course) before finally getting vehicles and driving to the hotel. Jimmy Johns is across the street from the Hyatt and has been the go-to for lunch. And man they are FAST.

Last night(Friday) we played our first match against Baltimore Bays the #1seed. The game was super intense from from the beginning and we got on the board first. Jordan Rideout chipped the keeper and the goal was big time. Minutes later we had a PK after their GK fouled us. Derek Scrick stepped up to take it, but unfortunately it was saved. A few minutes later...they got a PK on us after one of the Bays "flopped" inside our 18.

They converted the PK to equalize the match 1-1. Their were a couple more opportunities created by us in the second half by Lucas Throckmorton and Nate Opperman; but none went in. Bays had a free kick in about the 60min that they converted which made the score 1-2 which stood as the final. Such a bummer, our boys played so well and the game could have gone either way. Our defenders, especially Konner Knoll and Eric DeJulio played amazing along with keeper Jon Kempin.

We play Dallas Texans this evening and we just saw them eating Steak and Shake for lunch...hopefully it has an effect on them! haha

Kempin honored in PARADE Magazine

Our very own, Jonathan Kempin was named to the High School All-America team in PARADE magazine. The magazine names the top female and male high school athletes annually. Click here to read the full article.

Congrats Jon, keep up the good work.

Kempin gets the call up!

Jon Kempin got called into to the U18s USSF National Team Training Camp again. He headed to Los Angeles on April 25th right from Chicago where th U18s and U16s played this past weekend. The above video was played on The CW before the Wizards vs Galaxy match on April 24. Click here for the more information on the Training Camp and the roster.

Juniors Find Success vs Real Colorado

In fabulous conditions as far as the field and weather, the U16s kicked off at 9am on Saturday against Real Colorado. The team had a hard time finding their rhythm the first 10-15mins and Real was really taking it to them. The last 25mins of the first half the Juniors began to settle in to their game. Real did have a couple of chances and were dangerous right before half. Jon Kempin kept them in the game and the half ended at 0-0.

The momentum carried on into the second half and the boys looked sharp. The players kept their shape and were getting good balls served into our attacking third. Around the 60min three players were subed and provided the extra spark that the team needed. With only 10mins or so to go Taylor Walter served a great ball in that Andre Brown 'AB" got on the end of it which did not go in...but the rebound did which AB also hit from about 6yds out. The match ended in a win, 1-0.

U18 took the fields directly after had some good opportunities to go ahead in the first half with Patrick Foglio looking lively with several shots on goal, one good effort hitting the post. However, they got caught on the break and Real Colorado went ahead about half an hour into the game and the Wizards Juniors were 1 nil behind at half time.

However, they came out ready for action in the 2nd half with Brandon Fricke putting us ahead with a header from a set piece. Ten minutes into the 2nd half substitute Mbulunji Mhango came on and with his first touch of the game slotted home a close range shot, a rebound from an initial save from the Real Colorado goalkeeper to go 2-1 ahead. A minute into time added on, midfielder Nick Golden scored a cracker upper 90 shot from the edge of the box, for the game to finish with a 3-1 win.

Our team are headed to Detroit Michigan area to face Vardar and Derby County Wolves. Our U18 currently post a 3-2-2 in conference play and our U16 are 3-0-4 right now.

A couple of "friendlies" and a BIG Saturday

Last night our U14s & U16s played two ODP teams from Mantioba Canada. Those of you are geographically challenged like myself, Manitoba is north of Minnesota and N.Dakota. Our U14s kicked off at 5pm and played their U15s who were a bit bigger and stronger. In the 2nd half Jojo Piatczyc scored off a free kick. The competitive game ended with a win 1-0.

The U16s took the field after and played their U16s which was another great team. Coach Parry made sure every player played at least one half and was very complimentary of the boys. "Everything is starting click and when it does, its a great feeling, Coach Parry told us. We must note 20mins into the game Manitoba had a PK and Jon Kempin came up HUGE and stopped it...20mins into the second half we had a corner kick. As the ball got cleared Romeo Munoz was first to the ball, took a touch and hit an unbelievable BOMB at 35yds out. The final was also 1-0.

Our U16 & U18 teams will be in action tomorrow against Real Colorado. The game will be at Swope Training Facility with the U16s playing at 9am and the U18s at 11am.

Come Support!

Tough Times...but no Losses

The U16s found both matches just as difficult as the U18s. On Saturday they had a hard time finding their rhythm in the first half and were dominated by St. Louis. At half time head coach, Jon Parry made a few adjustments and we were much more competitive and effective. They had a good 25min streak but could not find the net and the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Props to GK Jon Kempin and the SLSG keeper, both played well.

On Sunday it was much of the same against SLSG Metro. Metro was very solid defensively and we had a hard time getting shots off during the first half. The 2nd half was more back and forth and Jon Kempin really kept us in the match saving two break-aways. In the 80th minute Romeo Munoz had a perfectly placed corner kick into the box for us. Our players crashed it as well as the St. Louis defenders...but the luck rolled our way and the ball went off the back of one of their defender's heads. So yes, we won on an own goal. 1-0 was the final.

Kempin Receives Big Time Honors

Jonathan Kempin, GK for the U16's, was honored yesterday as the GATORADE Kansas State Player of the Year. The Gatorade Player of the Year recognizes one player from each of the 50 States and then the rest is up to us to make sure Kempin gets voted for the National Player of the Year. Don't worry we will remind you when and where to vote when the time comes...its not until April. If this happens he will join the likes of Landon Donovan, Tony Meola, Claudio Reyna just to name a few.

This is the 25th year ESPN Rise and Gatorade has given out this award. The award, which recognizes not only outstanding excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the field, distinguishes Kempin as Kansas' best high school boys soccer player.

Check out the full article, Jon Parry has a great quote in it as well.