Sporting Development League

View Past Champions & Finalists

Promoting Player & Coach Development

Sporting Development League (SDL) is an independent youth soccer league featuring Academy Affiliate clubs from across the region.

Player and coach development is provided in cooperation with the SKC Academy.

The league consists of clubs in the U11 (2014) & U12 (2013) Boys and U12 (2013) Girls. The top-level teams from each club will play a minimum eight-game season with a flexible schedule that offers freedom to participate in additional leagues and tournaments throughout the season.

League Objective

SDL provides a competitive and more importantly, a developmental opportunity for players and coaches from each of the selected Affiliate clubs.

League Philosophy

SDL is an opportunity for the selected Academy Affiliate players and coaches to engage with Sporting KC Youth Soccer, Sporting KC Academy and continue their development.

Through this league, we strive to create safe and healthy competitive environments where players and coaches can solely focus on their development.

Fall 2024 Season Schedule & Standings

Competition Format

FORMATLENGTHBALL SIZEGOAL SIZESUBS
7v72 x 20 min416' x 7'Rolling

League Benefits

  • Registration is free! There are no additional fees for teams invited to participate in Sporting Development League.
  • Opportunity to play in a competitive and professional environment league against the top teams & talent in the Midwest region
  • The league has a sole focus on development for the selected Academy Affiliate clubs, players and coaches that are involved
  • Identification opportunities for U12 Academy Affiliate boys linking them to the SKC Academy staff
  • Coaching education initiatives and collaboration between Academy Affiliate & SKC Academy staff
  • Referees that work SDL have the opportunity to be evaluated by an on-site assessor with the goal to help to develop their skills and knowledge to better enforce the game

Player Development Initiatives

  • Field sizes to allow for more player actions in a single match
  • Shorter time periods to facilitate a higher intensity and quality of play
  • Rolling substitutions in the U11 & U12 age groups to allow for less stoppage of play
  • 7v7 Game format in the U11 & U12 age groups

Coach Development Initiatives

  • Game model development and improvement
  • Collaboration between Affiliate and SKC Academy coaches in game principle development
  • Access to online webinars hosted by SKC Academy coaches

SDL Champions

Spring 2024

Champions

U11 – Sporting City East
U12 – Sporting Blue Valley

Fall 2023

Champions

U11 – Sporting City East
U12 – Sporting Kaw Valley

Finalists

U11 – Sporting Blue Valley
U12 – Sporting Blue Valley

Spring 2023

Champions

U11 – Sporting Springfield
U12 – Sporting Wichita
U13 – Sporting Iowa

Finalists

U11 – Sporting Nebraska
U12 – Sporting Iowa
U13 – Sporting Wichita

Fall 2022

Champions

U12 – Sporting Springfield
U13 – Sporting Nebraska
U14 – Sporting Nebraska

Finalists

U12 – Sporting Blue Valley
U13 – Sporting KC Academy U12
U14 – Sporting KC Academy U13

Spring 2022

Champions

U12 – Sporting Blue Valley
U13 – Sporting Missouri Valley
U14 – Sporting KC Academy U13s

Finalists

U12 – Sporting Iowa
U13 – Sporting Blue Valley
U14 – Sporting Nebraska

Fall 2021

Champions

U12 – Sporting Springfield
U13 – Sporting Springfield
U14 – Sporting Nebraska

Finalists

U12 – Sporting Blue Valley
U13 – Sporting Iowa
U14 – Sporting Missouri Valley

Spring 2021

Tournament canceled due to weather.

Fall 2020

Champions

U13 – SKC Academy
U14 – SKC Academy

Finalists

U13 – Sporting Blue Valley
U14 – Sporting United

For any additional information about this league, please contact Jamie MacGregor at Jamie.MacGregor@sportingkc.com.