Sporting Development League Spring Preview
The Sporting Development League Spring campaign will begin on Saturday, March 6th. All games will be played at Swope Soccer Village, the training facility home of Sporting KC II and the Sporting KC Academy. This league features friendly competition amongst Sporting Academy Affiliate clubs from across the region. The league consists of 16 teams, eight clubs in each U13 and U14 level. The top-level teams from each club will play a seven-game season from March through May with a flexible schedule that offers freedom to participate in regular league-play as well as tournaments throughout the Spring season.
Academy Affiliate teams from Blue Valley, Iowa, Missouri Valley, Omaha, St. Louis, and Springfield will all be represented. The league sees the SKC Academy U12 and U13 teams playing up in older divisions with the U13 and U14 age groups, respectively. Along with the Academy Affiliates and SKC Academy teams, Sporting United joined the competition. Made up from a collection of players in urban communities from the Kansas City metro, United teams are coached by former Sporting KC Academy and current Kansas City Comets player Hector Solorio Jr.
“Sporting Development League offers a unique opportunity for Sporting United players to compete against clubs in the Academy Affiliation.” Hector Solorio Jr, Coach of Sporting United went on to say, “Through the access to match day video as well as coach education, we have been able to observe player behaviors and actions in order to better equip them with knowledge on how to improve.”
The Sporting Development League is unique in ways that each match is played with an emphasis on player development based on the rules and structure of the league itself. Coaches and staff have the opportunity to review SKC Academy style of play principles from the first weekend via video presentations conducted by the SKC Academy staff. In addition, teams have the opportunity to review their own styles of play to continue to learn how they can improve. This aspect of the league is a key component for players to compete in an ideal developmental environment going into each week of competition.
“The Sporting Development League is a great opportunity for our players to face great competition in a quality environment.” Eric Sorlie, Executive Director of Coaching at Sporting Springfield said. “It also allows us to grow within our coach education opportunities by providing match day video and web calls with the SKC Academy staff to discuss style of play and more. We are looking forward to an even better Spring!”
For more information on Sporting Development League, along with updates, scores, and standings, please visit sportingkcyouth.com/sporting-development-league/.