One of the top non-MLS academy players has signed an amateur contract with Sporting KC II, it was announced this week.

Bailey Sparks, who played for the Solar SC Academy, will play in the USL Championship for the MLS-run team after signing an academy agreement.

A national champion joins the SKC II ranks 🔵

Welcome to Kansas City, @sparksbailey12!

— Sporting KC II (@SportingKCII) July 14, 2020

He helped Solar SC win the 2018-19 Under-16/17 Development Academy national championship. During the season he scored 12 goals in 31 games on the way to winning the title. Sparks had a goal and an assist in the semifinals against LA Galaxy last summer, and had an assist in the title game against Concorde Fire.

Prior to the Coronavirus shutdown and the end of the DA, Sparks had scored 10 goals in 15 games for the Solar U19 team. During his time in the Development Academy, he scored 48 goals in 100 appearances for Solar.

Sparks played in the 2019 Nike Friendlies with the U.S. U17 MNT. He is No. 37 in the 2021 Boys IMG Academy player rankings and committed to SMU.

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