U13s Win Twice in Dallas

The U13's at a tournament in Denver last year

Over the weekend, the Sporting Kansas City U13 Juniors went to Dallas to play in the 10th annual Michael Brown Winter Classic at Pizza Hut Park (home of MLS club FC Dallas). This was the team’s first tournament of the year.

The Juniors opened the tournament on Saturday against the local MLS Juniors squad, FC Dallas. Cole McLagan gave KC a 1-0 lead on a well-placed header at the beginning of the second half. FC Dallas came back to tie it, but the Juniors would regain the lead as Peyton Brown set up a cross to Logan Lucas with 10 minutes to go to secure a 2-1 win.

In the second game on Saturday, TFC 98 Royal proved to be a formidable opponent. Despite playing tough and organized soccer, the Juniors were unable to put one in the back of the net. The opposition finished with only one shot on goal, but that was all they needed as they won 1-0 and handed the Juniors their first loss of the tournament.

On Sunday against the DFW Tejanos, the Juniors had control most of the way, but were unable to take advantage until McLagan scored his second goal of the tournament with about 15 minutes to go on a cross from Dominick Parry. This started the scoring spree as three more goals ensued. Trevor Cissel had the goal of the match from 18 yards out, while Keaton Schieffer and Seth Hudson added insurance goals late. The defense and Paul Whitner deserve a mention after keeping a clean sheet for the 4-0 victory.

The Juniors finished up the weekend with a game against Solar, who are considered one of the top teams in the country at this age. It was a great match, with both sides playing good defense and giving it their all in the last match of the tourney. Unfortunately, Solar was able to put one in with less than two minutes to go which ended up being the game’s lone goal despite a great shot by Brown in the game’s final minute.

U13 Juniors Head Coach Dustin Ottesen said he was pleased with what he saw from the team at the tournament. “Overall it was a pretty successful weekend and the boys got four games against four quality teams,” Ottesen said. “It was a great test and chance to see where we stand against some of the best in the country.”

U13 SKC Juniors in Dallas, TX

Best of luck to Head Coach Dustin Ottesen and his Sporting Kansas City U13 Juniors as they travel to Dallas for the tenth annual Michael Brown Winter Classic this weekend. They will play in Bracket A of the U13 Boys Gold division, with games against FC Dallas Youth 98B Premier and TFC 98B Royal on Saturday, then versus DFW Tejanos 98B Premier and Solar 98B (in the U14 Boys Silver division) on Sunday. Of the 14 teams in the U13 Boys age group, the Juniors are the only team from outside the state of Texas.

All games in the 112-team tournament will be played at Pizza Hut Park -- home to MLS side FC Dallas. Check the tournament's GotSoccer page for updated results and standings throughout the weekend, and we'll have a full recap here at The Junior Way on Monday.

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.

Pre-Academy Camp

The Sporting Kansas City Juniors will host their 2nd Annual Pre-Academy Camp from March 14th - 16th at the club's Swope Park Training Facility. The camp is open to boys between the ages of 9-16 who are currently part of or interested in becoming a member in the Juniors program in the future. All players will be evaluated by the Juniors coaching staff, with the opportunity to be invited back for future training sessions. The camp is designed for the committed player who wants to work their way into the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and the Sporting Kansas City Juniors.

When: March 14-16, 2011

Who: Boys aged 9-16

Where: Swope Park Training Facility (6310 Lewis Rd., Kansas City, Mo)

Cost: $125 (includes ticket to a Sporting Kansas City home game inside team's new stadium and an adidas Sporting Kansas City t-shirt)

Schedule:
14-16 year olds: 9-10:30am
11-13 year olds: 11-12:30pm
9-10 year olds: 1:30-3pm

If interested, click here to register for the 2011 Pre-Academy Camp.

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.