Scorpions Add Recent USMNT Call-Up, Goalkeeper Jon Kempin On Loan

The San Antonio Scorpions have agreed to terms with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer (MLS) on terms of a loan deal for recent U.S. Men's National Team call-up Jon Kempin, the club announced Friday.

"We are very pleased to welcome Jon to the Scorpions for the upcoming season," head coach Alen Marcina said. "Jon has experience at the MLS level, in CONCACAF Champions League, and recently with the U.S. Men's National Team. John has very good qualities for a young goalkeeper, and we are excited to have him as part of our team for this season."

Kempin, 21, is about to start his sixth professional season after joining the U.S. Men's National Team this past January. The Leawood, Kansas, native made five competitive appearances for Sporting Kansas City in 2014, including his debut in MLS and the CONCACAF Champions League, while also spending time on loan at OKC Energy FC of the United Soccer League.

Kempin earned back-to-back MLS Save of the Week honors in his first two MLS appearances and was named MVP of the 2014 MLS Chipotle Homegrown Game. In doing so, he became the youngest at his position to play in MLS since 2012 and entered the record books as the youngest goalkeeper to start an MLS match in Sporting KC's history.

"We are extremely excited that Jon will be joining the Scorpions family in 2015, as he'll be the first player in team history to have experience with the senior U.S. Men's National Team," President and GM Howard Cornfield said. "He is a tremendous talent that Jurgen Klinsmann has his eyes on, and we think he'll make an immediate impact on our squad."

A product of the Sporting KC Academy, Kempin became the team's first homegrown player signing at age 17. He made his competitive debut during the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and helped Orlando City SC claim the USL PRO Championship in 2013, making 34 saves in nine games while on loan with the Lions.

The Scorpions have also agreed to terms with rookie Tyler Gibson. The midfielder played college soccer for the Charlotte 49ers, where he was a four-year starter and was named an Academic All-American his senior year.