Sporting Kansas City's U-15s punched their ticket to the 2025 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs with a 3-0-0 performance at MLS NEXT Flex in Boyds, Maryland, from May 10-13. Sporting's U-16s offered an impressive showing at the elite competition, going 1-1-1 and finishing second in their group.
The U-15s finished first in Group E, defeating De Anza Force, Strikers FC and Metropolitan Oval. Sporting's U-16s were runners-up in Group F behind Philadelphia Union but ahead of Total Futbol Academy and the San Jose Earthquakes.
Led by head coach Luis Pacheco, the U-15s dominated Group E with three clean sheets in three contests. They opened Flex with a 4-0 win over De Anza Force on Saturday and followed that up with a 3-0 victory over Metropolitan Oval on Sunday.
The boys enjoyed the sights of nearby Washington D.C. on their day off on Monday before taking on a familiar foe in Strikers FC, whom they dispatched at MLS NEXT Fest last December. In a torrential downpour, the 15s sank penalty kicks on either side of halftime to take a 2-0 win and secure their spot in the 2025 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in Nashville, Tennessee, in June.
Sporting's U-15s were one of two teams in their age group to not concede a goal at Flex and had the second highest goal differential at plus nine. They will face GFI Academy in Houston this coming Saturday and take on IDEA Toros at Swope Soccer Village on May 31st before heading to Music City on June 13th for playoffs.
First Name | Last Name |
Tose | Adewumi |
Sam | Bukauskas |
Connor | Caley |
Finn | Dean |
Mason | Duffy |
Sebastien | Dure |
Zeze | Enriquez Castro |
Abraham | Gutierrez |
Mack | Herrman |
Emilio | Jacinto-Lopez |
Gabe | Johnson |
Elijah | Kelcher |
Brady | Krysiewicz |
Langston | Lewis |
Reid | Lindstrom |
Darvin | Mejia Contreras |
Frankie | Panimboza |
Jayden | Pulley |
Brixton | Welsh |
Sam | Worcester |
The U-16s, guided by head coach Angel Rivillo, opened with a shootout defeat against Total Futbol Academy after finishing tied 1-1 at the end of regulation. In a must-win-situation, the U-16s rallied for three second half goals against MLS foes San Jose Earthquakes on day two to win 3-1. Following the day off, Sporting's U-16s were bested on a rain-soaked pitch by Philadelphia Union, who finished atop the group with nine points.
The second oldest age group in the Academy will join the U-18s at the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase in Nashville in June after facing the Houston Dynamo in their final regular season match at the end of May.
First Name | Last Name |
Luca | Antongirolami |
Santino | Barbarena |
Roman | Boxman |
Finn | Dean |
Kyan | Detmer |
Jesus | Enriquez |
Harrison | Fasel |
Jack | Francka |
Alex | Gemeinhardt |
Michael | Grezenko |
Kashan | Hines |
Justin | Jones |
Colin | Kyser |
Mays | Landers |
Zamir | Loyo Reynaga |
Colin | Lysinger |
Ben | Nylund |
Austin | Thompson |
Baron | Williams |
Sutton | Williams |
Opponent | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
Total Futbol Academy | Saturday, May 10 | 1(3)-1(4) Draw |
San Jose Earthquakes | Sunday, May 11 | 3-1 Win |
Philadelphia Union | Tuesday, May 13 | 1-3 Loss |
Preparations have begun for the final weeks of the 2024-25 MLS NEXT Season for all SKC Academy teams. The U-14s and U-13s are set to compete in the 2025 Patterson Cup at Swope Soccer Village from June 4-8. The U-15s will go for the cup at playoffs and the U-18s and U-16s will play three showcase games to end the season. Fans can follow along the Playoff journey and everything going on in the Academy by following @SKCAcademy on X and instagram.
About MLS NEXT
MLS NEXT is a new paradigm for player development, launched in 2020 to transform youth soccer in North America. Founded on a collaborative approach to governance and a commitment to innovation, MLS NEXT players have access to the highest level of competition, training and personal development opportunities that will prepare them for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Membership for the 2022-23 season includes 137 clubs, 628 teams and over 13,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, DoorDash, and the University of South Carolina. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
