Despite being together for a little over a month, the KCW Juniors U-17 team has taken Major League Soccer's Youth Development teams by storm. The Juniors have gone 3-0-1 against established clubs Columbus, FC Dallas, Red Bull New York and Chivas USA to advance to the championship game of the inaugural SUM Cup. The Wizards Juniors will now take part in the championship game Thursday morning at 11 a.m. CT against rival D.C. United with a chance to move onto the 2008 Torneo Quixote in Spain on the line. In Spain, the KCW Juniors would compete against teams from around the world. The tournament will take place next August.
"This has been a dream tournament so far for us," KCW Juniors Youth Director Chris Cissell said. "A lot of people, both in Kansas City and throughout Major League Soccer doubted us prior to this event, but we have shown that we have a very talented team that will be successful for years to come. This is a great start to our program. We hope to build upon this with our U-15 and U-16 teams as well as the U-17s in the coming year."
Kansas City takes a 9-5 goals-scored margin into the final on the MLS field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. David Beckham is scheduled to present the championship trophy to the winner, and the 2007 MLS All-Star Game will take place later Thursday evening on the same field.
"It will be a great experience for our boys to play in that stadium with that trophy on the line," KCW Juniors Head Coach and former Wizards forward Paul Rideout said. "Our mission is to develop players, and developing a winning attitude is important to us here at the KCW Juniors."
The KCW Juniors and D.C. United U-17 teams will get to view the MLS All-Star team practice today at 11 a.m. CT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, as well as attend all the pre-All-Star game festivities with Celtic FC and the MLS All-Stars.
Midfielder Christian Duke (Shawnee Mission South) leads the Juniors so far with three goals scored, all game-winners. Kevin Ellis (Oak Park) has scored two goals.
Results:
Group Play
Chivas USA (1-1 T)
Red Bull New York (2-0 W)
FC Dallas (3-2 W)
SemiFinals
Columbus Crew (3-2 W)
Finals
Thursday, 11 a.m. CT vs D.C. United
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
Goals
Christian Duke (Shawnee Mission South)- 3 goals
Kevin Ellis (Oak Park)- 2 goals
Zane Christenson (Blue Springs South)- 1 goal
Alex Sweetin (Rockhurst)- 1 goal
Austin Trees (Rockhurst)- 1 goal
Neil Tally (St. Thomas Aquinas)- 1 goal
