Today, Sporting KC announced some changes to the coaching staff for the Sporting KC Juniors teams. The team announced the addition of Tommy Howe as coach of the Juniors U12 team and assist Jon Parry in coaching the U16 and U18 teams. Howe comes to Kansas City after being establishing one of the most well known clubs from the other side of the state, Scott Gallagher SC in the 70's. He's also helped found Metro FC and Woodson City Rangers.
He comes with a very impressive resume as a youth coach, he's helped lead teams to 7 national titles and 14 regional titles. He's also been part of the development of a number of pros, including players like Brad Davis, Pat Noonan, and Tim Ream, all players that have been successful in MLS and earned themselves some call ups with the national team.
While Howe is coming in, two coaches are leaving the program to pursue other opportunities. Former Wizard, Paul Rideout is leaving the club, as is U13 and U14 coach, Dustin Ottesen. They are going to continue to coach for Sporting Club affiliate, Blue Valley Soccer Club, but will no longer directly coach under SKC.
So far the Juniors have produced two professional players in Jon Kempin and Kevin Ellis. They've also seen two more players that have been part of the Juniors system drafted by MLS clubs in Kyle Miller and Matt Kuhn. Goalkeeper Jacole Turner and forward Eduardo Moreno have spent some time with US youth national teams. Hopefully we start to really see the fruits of the development in KC's Juniors system. Ellis is the only Juniors' player to appear in a game, playing in the team's US Open Cup game last year vs the Chicago PDL side.
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