Sporting Kansas City’s U-14s concluded the month of March with a trophy lift as they took home the Easter International Cup title on Saturday, March 30 in Orlando, Florida. Sporting KC’s U-14s posted an undefeated week at the tournament which ran from March 27-30.

Kicking things off with their first group stage match, the U-14s faced off against fellow MLS NEXT side Inter Miami. In one of the more competitive matches of the competition, neither side could put a number up on the scoreboard despite several clear-cut chances. The scoreless draw gave SKC a point to open the tournament as they prepared for a double matchday to close out the group stage.

Needing all six points to go atop the tightly packed group, Sporting opened the day with a 1-0 win against ODP National. A first half penalty kick was all that the U-14s needed to earn the three points. After a quick break, they took the pitch against Intercontinental FA in the group stage finale. A brilliant offensive performance saw Sporting sink four goals in a 4-2 win that placed them atop their group, securing them a spot in the semifinals.

In a dramatic contest against FC Delco, with a spot in the final on the line, Sporting jumped out to a quick one-goal lead which was promptly matched by their opposition. A red card late in the first half put FC Delco down a man and Sporting took advantage of that situation with a quick goal. Their resilient foes leveled the match once more with a late set-piece goal and, despite numerous chances in the final moments of the match, Sporting could not find the winner.

The match was decided in a shootout where Sporting outlasted FC Delco 4-3 in kicks from the spot and punched their ticket to the Easter International Cup Final. Facing Floridian foes Miami Rush on Saturday morning, the U-14s meant business from the first whistle. Scoring an early goal off a deflected shot from outside the box, Sporting packed it in defensively and outlasted Miami to claim the crown.

Sporting’s U-13s participated in the tournament in Orlando as well. They opened the week with a defeat to ODP before bouncing back with clean sheets against Liga MX side Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles and MLS NEXT squad Atlanta United. They just missed out on qualifying for the semifinals due to goal differential and suffered a defeat to Austin FC in the silver semifinals.

Back in training at Swope Soccer Village, Sporting’s U-14s are preparing for the second half of the MLS NEXT season while the U-13s continue to compete against high-profile clubs from around the Midwest.  Both groups will begin to lay the groundwork for the 2024 Patterson Cup in June here in Kansas City, Missouri. Fans can follow along with everything going on in the Sporting Kansas City Academy by following @SKCAcademy on X or checking the website at SportingKCAcademy.com.