The Sporting Kansas City Academy U-15s spent Thanksgiving weekend competing against premier teams from across the globe at the 2017 Copa Rayados Internacional in The Woodlands, Texas.
The fifth annual Copa Rayados featured elite academy sides from the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Netherlands, giving Sporting KC six matches over a five-day span. Participating in the U-15 Supergroup alongside 15 other heralded academies, Sporting KC punctuated its tournament appearance with a 5-2 victory over Houston Club Division on Saturday and a penalty shootout win over Mexican outfit Mineros de Zacatecas on Sunday.
Head coach Kelly Findley's men faced stern competition in the group stage, playing a total of four matches across Wednesday and Thursday.