USL PRO Feature
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – It’s fair to say the inaugural season of the partnership between Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City was a success.
Both teams claimed championships in their respective leagues, with Orlando getting major production from USL PRO All-League selection Dom Dwyer, who helped the Lions claim the USL PRO Championship in September before playing a major role in SKC’s run to a second MLS Cup in December.
While Dwyer got much of the attention in 2013, however, two other young players also had their moments for the Lions and are now seeing the impact of their time in Orlando as the club moves toward the start of the new MLS season in two weeks. Goalkeeper Jon Kempin and midfielder Christian Duke both played solid minutes for the Lions last summer, and according to SKC coach Peter Vermes, the elevation in their play has been noticeable.
“I’ve kind of mentioned this that I think there are quite a few young players that have really elevated their game from last year to this year, and Christian’s one of them,” Vermes said after the team’s first game of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic. “He’s actually very impressive, like today he got the assist on the goal, he listens really well, he’s a really coachable kid, and those are the aspects that I like about him a lot.”
Duke made 24 appearances for the Lions, recording almost 1,500 minutes of action as he trained alongside a group of veterans that included Anthony Pulis and James O’Connor. Getting the chance to compete and learn alongside players who both brought experience from the English Championship was, according to Duke, a big opportunity to raise his level of play.
“Definitely, Orlando City’s a great team, and the midfielders there were experienced and older,” Duke said. “Learning from them and being in that system helped me and I think I’ve progressed from that.”
A former U.S. U20 international and SKC Homegrown signing, Kempin also impressed in the nine games he appeared in before an injury cut short his opportunity. Among the standout performances was one on the road against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds that saw him make a number of great saves to earn the Lions a point in a 0-0 draw.
“I thought it was unbelievable,” Kempin said of his time in Orlando. “The organization, the coaching staff, all of that was great, and obviously the games were good. What I learned there, and in the game experience, is crucial to my development and it really helped me feel a lot better, feel a lot more comfortable in games and more comfortable with ordering the first team.”
This year brings a new dynamic to Sporting’s partnerships, with the addition of USL PRO expansion side the Oklahoma City Energy to the club’s affiliates. With Orlando City getting set to make the jump to MLS in 2015 and former goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen at the helm in OKC, Vermes is looking forward to working with both clubs to continue the good work that was achieved last year.
“I think we’ve got a good relationship with both,” Vermes said. “As much as Orlando obviously is now moving into new territory and they’re very focused on trying to build their team now for next year, but we still have a relationship and we’re still going to try and help them out with probably a couple of players on loan. I was talking with Adrian a little while ago and we’re going to chat about that in the next few days.
“In regards to Oklahoma, it’s a different scenario as Jimmy used to play for us and I think he’s going to do a lot of similar-type things that we have done with Sporting in the formation and the style of play, so I think all of that coming together will help us in the long run as well, because when our players go there, it’s not going to be a big change for them, I think.”
A lot of attention will be focused on the Energy with Nielsen at the helm. Vermes and Kempin both believe the former SKC captain will find success in his new role, with his leadership and man-management skills a plus in Vermes’ eyes.
“In regards to managing the players, and the situations, I think that’s something he’s very good at,” Vermes said. “He was good at it as a player and he was a great team leader and captain, so I think that translates very well.”
With veteran MLS goalkeepers Eric Kronberg and Andy Gruenebaum likely in front of him on the SKC depth chart this season, the opportunity may come for Kempin to join his former teammate in Oklahoma City as wellas he continues to look for competitive minutes to continue his development. To have that opportunity - or the chance to return to Orlando - is one that Kempin would welcome.
“Yeah, I would enjoy it, whether it’s Oklahoma City or maybe Orlando City again,” Kempin said. “Whatever it may be, I’m definitely open to another loan spell if that’s what Peter and the rest of the coaching staff want for me.”
With a big season ahead, including another go-around in the CONCACAF Champions League in addition to the league and U.S. Open Cup, the chance for serious minutes for both Kempin and Duke may be closer than it appears.
“I think [Christian has] come a long way and as opposed to last year, he’s going to get some meaningful minutes this year because we’re in three competitions and the trust value is increasing every day,” Vermes said. “I wouldn’t count [Kempin] out being a part of us for certain aspects as well because he’s got real quality, and I think it’s time for him to start getting some meaningful minutes as well.”