Jon Kempin
Jonathan Kempin is an American former professional soccer player who played as a goalkeeper. He previously appeared for Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy, Columbus Crew SC, and D.C. United and spent time on loan with Orlando City, OKC Energy, San Antonio Scorpions, Swope Park Rangers, LA Galaxy II, Hartford Athletic, San Diego Loyal, and Loudoun United.
Kempin was born in Leawood, Kansas and attended Blue Valley North High School, winning a state title as a freshman and being inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. He played club soccer in the Kansas City Wizards system, climbing through the club's academy setup before signing for the first team as a homegrown player in August 2010. Kempin made his debut for the renamed Sporting Kansas City in May 2012, going on to appear 12 times for the team in seven seasons. Kempin spent four spells on loan while with SKC, winning a USL Pro championship with Orlando City and also spending time with OKC Energy, San Antonio Scorpions, and Swope Park Rangers. After being released by Sporting KC, he spent a year in the LA Galaxy organization before joining Columbus Crew SC ahead of the 2018 season.
Kempin represented the United States from under-14 to under-23 level. He was a part of the under-17 residency program at the IMG Soccer Academy while in high school and represented the under-18, under-20, and under-23 teams in competitive matches. Kempin earned his only senior call-up in January 2015.
Early life
Born in Leawood, Kansas, Kempin played club soccer for the KC Legends, Blue Valley Stars, and KCFC Alliance youth teams. He attended Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, winning a state title and allowing just two goals as a freshman. He was selected to take part in the United States U17 residency program at the IMG Soccer Academy, where he spent his sophomore year. After one season in the residency program, Kempin returned to Kansas and joined the Kansas City Wizards Academy in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. As a junior at Blue Valley North, he was named as the Kansas State Player of the Year and as a Parade All-American. In 2017, Kempin was inducted into the Blue Valley North Athletic Hall of Fame and the Kansas Soccer Hall of Fame.Club career
Sporting Kansas City
On August 31, 2010, Kempin signed with the Kansas City Wizards as the first homegrown player in club history. At 17 years old, he was the youngest player ever signed by the Wizards. Kempin did not make an appearance in his first professional season, although he was named to the bench for the club's season finale against San Jose Earthquakes. In 2011, Kempin again did not play for the Sporting Kansas City first team. He did become the club's primary goalkeeper in the MLS Reserve League, appearing several times in that competition, and was named to the substitutes' bench three times in Major League Soccer play.In his third professional season, Kempin finally made his debut for SKC. On May 29, 2012, he started against Orlando City in the U.S. Open Cup, making six saves and helping Sporting KC claim a 3–2 victory. He was named to the bench 13 times in league play, all due to an injury to normal backup goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, but did not play outside of his lone cup appearance.
2013: loan to Orlando
On March 14, 2013, Kempin was loaned to Orlando City, Sporting KC's USL Pro affiliate, in a bid to find regular playing time. The loan was for the duration of the 2013 season, with the club able to recall him at any time. Kempin made his Orlando debut on April 7, starting a 3–1 victory against Phoenix FC. He appeared nine times for the Lions on the year, playing for the last time in a scoreless draw with Pittsburgh Riverhounds on July 17. He did not appear in the club's playoff run, with Miguel Gallardo starting in net as Orlando claimed the USL Pro title for the second time in club history. Kempin returned to Sporting Kansas City with six games remaining in the regular season, but was unable to beat out Jimmy Nielsen or Kronberg to make a matchday squad. He watched on during the club's playoff run as SKC defeated Real Salt Lake on penalties to win MLS Cup 2013, the second league championship in club history.2014: loan to OKC
On March 17, 2014, Kempin was loaned to OKC Energy FC for the duration of the 2014 season. The Energy, playing their debut season in the USL Pro, were coached by Kempin's former teammate in Kansas City, Jimmy Nielsen. Although he was initially recalled by SKC before playing a game, Kempin returned to make his Energy debut on April 7, starting in a 4–2 defeat against LA Galaxy II. He appeared 13 times through the front half of the season, with that run of matches including a six-game losing streak and a six-game unbeaten run.Kempin was recalled by Sporting KC on July 9, 2014, after Eric Kronberg fractured a bone in his left hand. He immediately stepped into the backup role behind Andy Gruenebaum, sitting on the bench in SKC's next five matches. Kempin was selected to take part in the inaugural MLS Homegrown Game, where he played the second half against Portland Timbers U23s and was named as the game's Most Valuable Player. Just five days after the Homegrown Game, Kempin stepped in to make his Major League Soccer debut; Gruenebaum went out injured against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on August 10, leaving Kempin to take over at halftime. He saved a penalty from Darren Mattocks in the 85th minute, but Sporting KC fell by a 2–0 scoreline. Kempin went on to appear in SKC's next four games, including a match against Real Estelí in CONCACAF Champions League play on August 20. Although he returned to the bench following Gruenebaum's return to health, Kempin finished the season with five appearances for Sporting Kansas City.
2015: loan to San Antonio
On March 20, 2015, Kempin was again sent on loan, this time joining North American Soccer League club San Antonio Scorpions for the duration of the 2015 season. SKC manager Peter Vermes said that Kempin was headed to San Antonio, instead of affiliate club OKC Energy, because " has the ability to go in and be the number one right away in San Antonio." He started each of the Scorpions' first two matches on the year, conceding five total goals in defeats against Tampa Bay Rowdies on April 4 and Indy Eleven on April 18.After Luis Marín terminated his contract with the club, Kempin was recalled to Sporting Kansas City on May 27, 2015. He spent the majority of the season backing up Tim Melia, but did appear three times in a four-match stretch in August. Kempin's only other appearance on the year came in the knockout round of the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, in a match that would become known as the "Double Post" game. Against eventual champions Portland Timbers, Melia suffered a head injury and had to exit the match in the 84th minute. Kempin did not concede a goal through extra time, and made three saves in the ensuing penalty shootout, but saw his kick in the 11th round saved as Portland advanced by a 7–6 scoreline. Although his contract expired at the end of the season, Kempin re-signed with Sporting KC on December 9.