Sporting KC II add eight on Academy contracts

Just a day before Sporting Kansas City II’s season-opener in Tulsa, the club announced the signings of eight players to Academy contracts. These contracts allow each player to maintain their NCAA eligibility.

GK: Gavin Krenecki; Max Trejo

DF: Dylan Hooper; Isaiah LeFlore; Michael Lenis; Kayden Pierre

MF: Bailey Sparks; Jayvin Van Deventer

These signings bring SKC II’s roster to 22 players ahead of Saturday’s season-opening trip to Tulsa.

Five of the eight signings have experience with SKC II from previous academy contracts. Defender Dylan Hooper signed an academy contract in 2019, but never appeared in a game. Outside back Michael Lenis and midfielder Jayvin Van Deventer signed their first academy contracts.

Bailey Sparks returns to SKC II after his breakout moment with the matchwinner against the Indy Eleven towards the end of last season. He appeared in the final two matches of 2020 and ended the season as the player to watch in 2021.

Gavin Krenecki returns to SKC II for his third season after his 2020 campaign was cut short due to injury with two appearances. He looks set to battle for the starting goalkeeper job on Saturday against Max Trejo, who returns to SKC II for the first time since making two appearances in 2019.

Thad Bell

Isaiah LeFlore and Kayden Pierre both return to the team for the second straight season. LeFlore, who can play as an outside back and on the wing, appeared in seven matches for SKC II in 2020 and scored against St. Louis FC. Pierre can play in either outside back role and made two appearances in 2020.

These signings will be available for Saturday’s match in Tulsa.