Sporting Kansas City has confirmed an earlier report that they have secured the homegrown player rights to U.S. U-17 star Josh Sargent.
Even though Sargent did not play in Sporting KC’s Academy, the team was able to lay claim to his MLS rights. The entire state of Missouri (Kansas and Oklahoma as well) is in SKC’s Homegrown Player territory. Sargent played for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Academy and probably played against SKC’s Academy at one time.
MLS teams can submit claims on players from within their territory even if the player did not play for their Academy. Sporting Kansas City put in a claim and no other MLS teams had an interest at that time so SKC now has his rights.
Not so fast!
Sporting KC may have the Homegrown Player rights to Sargent and could sign him if both parties agreed but he could not play for the senior team yet. Sargent has trained with Sporting KC but it has only been in summer months and that does not meet the Homegrown Player one year of time eligibility that is required.
According to Sporting KC sources, Sargent could be signed to a Homegrown contract and then play in SKC’s Academy or for SKC’s USL team, the Swope Park Rangers.
Once he met the time requirement he could then play for the Sporting Kansas City first team.
Not so fast part 2!
While Sporting Kansas City does have the Homegrown Player rights for Sargent and no other MLS team can sign him, Sargent can sign with a team overseas and it is becomes a moot point, just an exercise in understanding arcane MLS rules.