Sporting Kansas City Development League (SDL)
The Sporting Development League (SDL) is a competitive youth soccer league operated by Sporting Kansas City, designed for U11 and U12 boys and girls. The league features Sporting Kansas City’s Academy Affiliate clubs, as well as other select clubs from outside the affiliate network. With a player-first focus and the backing of a Major League Soccer club, the SDL provides an elevated platform for youth players, ensuring they are immersed in a developmental culture that prepares them for the next level.
OVERVIEW
The SDL emphasizes player-first development through a structured league model by focusing on technical growth, decision-making, and game awareness, providing an intentional developmental experience for players during critical early stages. Featuring two regional divisions (North and South), the SDL includes Sporting Kansas City Academy Affiliate clubs, and other select clubs, from Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Sporting Oklahoma competes in the South Division of the SDL, which covers Oklahoma, Northwest Arkansas, and Southwest Missouri. The SDL is structured around a Fall and Spring season for league play and an additional cross-division competition through an end-of-season championship tournament hosted in Kansas City. As the primary league for participating clubs, the SDL promotes a unified and consistent developmental experience aligned with the high standards of the Sporting Kansas City player development model.
TRAINING FORMAT
SDL participants ages U11-U12 will attend two training sessions per week, with an optional third weekly session available, at no additional cost, through the Skills Clinics Program designed for players who wish to further develop their existing skillset through an age-appropriate progressive model of training focused on ball mastery, control, passing, receiving, dribbling, shooting, and juggling.
FEE STRUCTURE
The Annual Player Fee below includes participation in the
Sporting Oklahoma Competitive Program (U11-U19), Goalkeeping Program (U11-U19), and
Skills Clinics Program (U11-U12). The Annual Player Fee covers monthly training dues and other administrative expenses such as player registration and insurance. The Annual Player Fee
does not include each player’s proportionate share of team-specific expenses such as tournament and league fees, field maintenance and usage fees, and coach travel expenses for matches outside of the Oklahoma City Metro Area, nor does it include player-specific expenses such as kits, equipment, and travel.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
In an effort to fully realize its Mission as a benefit corporation, Sporting Oklahoma has created a scholarship program for families in need of financial assistance. For additional information, please visit the
Scholarship Information & Application page located under the Registration menu tab.
