Sunday, the Sporting Kansas City U-13, and U-12 teams were crowned US Youth Futsal Central Regional Champions in Overland Park, KS.

“We are fortunate to be able to compete in this tournament with very good competition,” said Christian Duke the head coach of Sporting’s U-13s and U-12s. “Futsal for us is a crucial piece in the development of individuals. Futsal brings out a dynamic structure that really forces the athletes to synchronize with one another, both on the attacking side and defensive side. Both groups definitely grew in both aspects of the game, which will allow them to transition to outdoor seamlessly.”

Led by Duke and assistant coach Brennan Williams, Sporting’s U-12s swept through the competition en route to the group’s second title in three seasons. With three dominant wins in the group stages, Sporting punched their ticket to the semifinals.

Facing off against the Panthers 11 Academy, the U-12s took care of business, blanking their opposition in a 9-0 victory. In the finals, squaring off with Academy affiliates Sporting City West, Sporting continued to impress, claiming the crown by way of a 6-1 victory.

Sporting KC U-12 (Champions)

• Feb. 18: W 15-1 KC Futsal Academy 2011
• Feb. 18: W 11-0 Unified FC Premier 11 - Sharks
• Feb. 19: W 8-1 Sporting Wichita Red 2011
• Feb. 19: W 9-0 Panthers 11 Academy (Semifinals)
• Feb. 19: W 6-1 Sporting City West 2011 (Championship)

Sporting KC U-12 Roster

• Brady Cowan
• Josmain Delgado
• Brayden Drewing
• Blake Hannagan
• Easton Jefferies
• Tyler Jones
• Daniel Martinez
• Mason Moore
• Frankie Panimboza
• Aiden Pardo
• Ronan Perez
• Luca Pore
• Jack Ritcher

The U-13 age group, split into two teams, Sporting Argyle and Sporting Indigo. Both sides showed out with both teams’ only loss coming in a competition against each other. With Sporting Argyle taking 10 points and Sporting Indigo earning nine the two groups finished first and second in the group respectively.

Sporting KC U-13 Argyle (Champions)

• Feb. 18: W 6-2 DC Vaqueros
• Feb. 18: W 3-0 Sporting Wichita 10
• Feb. 19: W 2-1 Sporting KC Indigo
• Feb. 19: D 4-4 Ryogoku U13

U13 SKC Argyle Roster

• Mason Duffy
• Brady Krysiewicz
• Luca Antongirolami
• Connor Caley
• Carlos Delgado
• Reid Lindstrom
• Emilio Lopez
• Vince Madeo
• Jayden Pulley
• Alfredo Velasquez

Sporting KC U-13 Indigo (Runner-ups)

• Feb. 18: W 12-3 Ryogoku U13
• Feb. 18: W 2-1 DC Vaqueros
• Feb. 19: L 1-2 Sporting KC Argyle
• Feb. 19: W 3-2 Sporting Wichita

U13 SKC Indigo Roster

• Jake Adams
• Finn Dean
• Zeze Enriquez
• Jackson Gagel
• Nate Hansen 
• Owen Harris
• Mack Herman
• Langston Lewis
• Darvin Mejia
• Sam Worcester

Futsal is an important part of the Sporting Kansas City Academy’s soccer curriculum. For the younger age groups in the Academy, it presents a golden opportunity for the athletes to refine their technical skills in between Sporting Development League competitions. With the Futsal season’s conclusion, Sporting’s U-13s and U-12s will resume outdoor play and resume with Sporting Development Season, using the skills they learned in this session of Futsal.