Courtesy of LA Galaxy

LA Galaxy Sign Former SKC Goalkeeper, Jon Kempin

The LA Galaxy have signed 23-year old goalkeeper, Jon Kempin. Kempin is a former Sporting Kansas City player having been signed at the age of 17 and has spent the last six seasons with them. He was also SKC’s first ever Homegrown Player, earning that designation in 2010.

“Jon is a young player with potential that can provide us with valuable depth at the goalkeeper position,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Pete Vagenas. “He impressed during our preseason this year and we are excited to bring him on board.”

Kempin is expected to add to the LA Galaxy’s goalkeeper depth. With the departure of Dan Kennedy — the LA Galaxy have confirmed that he’s no longer on the team — Jon is expected to take up the third goalkeeper spot.

Brian Rowe is the clear number one, and Clement Diop easily in the number two spot. So with Kennedy preparing for his first radio gig as the Galaxy take on FC Dallas, Kempin will more than likely slide into that number three role.

The only real question is whether or not Diop or Kempin will get the majority of the starts down with LA Galaxy II, the club’s USL team.

Last year Diop was the go-to starter for LA Galaxy II while Kennedy would be the gameday backup in senior team starts by Rowe. So will Kempin be the gameday backup for Rowe, just like Kennedy was? Or will Head Coach Curt Onalfo decide he wants his number one guy on the field with his number two guy on the bench. These are all serious questions for a team that looks like it will have plenty of goalkeepers to develop regardless of their station.

The LA Galaxy take on FC Dallas on Saturday, March 4 at StubHub Center in their 2017 season opener. And with injuries to Robbie Rogers and Ashley Cole, the defense will have a bright light on them going up against a very good Dallas team.

Last year, Dan Kennedy was the Opening Day starter. He went about 20 minutes before picking up an injury and ceding almost the entire season to Brian Rowe. So while Kempin is currently the third choice for the Galaxy, in just a blink of an eye he could be starting.

Transaction: LA Galaxy sign goalkeeper Jon Kempin

  • Name: Jon Kempin
  • Position: Defender
  • Number: 22
  • Height: 6-1
  • Weight: 170 lbs.
  • Born: 04/08/1993
  • Age: 23
  • Hometown: Leawood, Kan.
  • Last Club: Sporting Kansas City
  • Citizenship: United States