Center of Exellence

QUICK INFO:

The Center of Excellence (COE) is a high-level supplemental training program for boys aged 13 and younger that is designed to prepare potential academy-level players for the next step on the Sporting KC player pathway. The U-14 (2013) and U-13 (2014) COE players will be a part of the Pre-Academy Phase. The U-12 (2015) and U-11 (2016) COE players will be a part of the Foundational Phase. Players in the COE receive high-level training directly from Sporting Kansas City Academy Coaches.

Fall 2026 Center of Excellence Details

Pre-Academy Phase (Birth Year: 2013 & 2014)

When: Fall (August-November)

• ID Session attendance is required; select players will be invited to register for the Fall session.
• Participation in the SKC Center of Excellence is supplemental to all activities with the participant’s current club team.
• The SKC Center of Excellence is a CLUB NEUTRAL program.
• Trainings will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Swope Soccer Village on Field 6
  • Training Dates
    • August 31
    • September 21
    • October 12
    • Novermber 2
• Cost: $150

Fall 2026 ID Sessions

Who: U-14s and U-13s (Birth Year 2013 and 2014)
When: Monday, August 17 from 6:00 to 7:15 PM at Swope Soccer Village on Field 6

Foundational Phase (Birth Year: 2015 & 2016)

When: Fall (August-November)

• ID Session attendance is required; select players will be invited to register for the Fall session.
• Participation in the SKC Center of Excellence is supplemental to all activities with the participant’s current club team.
• The SKC Center of Excellence is a CLUB NEUTRAL program.
• The second ID Session Date will be invite only
  • Please keep that date open in case your player gets invited back
• Training will take place every Tuesday and Wednesday from September 8 to October 28
• Trainings will be held from 5:45 to 7:00 PM at Swope Soccer Village on Field 6

Fall 2026 ID Sessions

Who: U-12s (Birth Year 2015)
When: Tuesday, August 18 and invite only session on Tuesday August 25 6:00 to 7:15 PM at Swope Soccer Village on Field 6

Who: U-11s (Birth Year 2016)
When: Thursday, August 20 and invite only session Wednesday August 26 6:00 to 7:15 PM at Swope Soccer Village on Field 6

Swope Soccer Village : 6310 Lewis Road, Kansas City, MO 64132

*Please contact jamie.macgregor@sportingkc.com if you are interested in trying out but cannot attend the above tryout date.

In 2017, an aspiring 11-year-old soccer player from Overland Park, Kansas, enrolled in the Sporting Kansas City Academy Center of Excellence. Through this immersive program, Jacob Bartlett received high-level training from Sporting KC Academy coaches twice per week.

This marked the start of an impressive rise that saw Bartlett earn a spot on the Sporting KC Academy, represent the club at the U-12 through U-19 levels, gain professional experience with Sporting KC II in MLS NEXT Pro, earn minutes for the University of Notre Dame, and sign a First-Team Homegrown contract.

Now a Sporting KC first-team member, Bartlett began his journey eight years ago when he joined the Center of Excellence. He has since become the first player to progress from the COE to the Sporting KC Academy and onto the first team.

The 2025 Spring COE Camp provides an opportunity for each player to become the next rising star to make the jump that Bartlett did.