Rob Zahl Announced as
Sporting City Director of the MLS NEXT New Tier program
Sporting City is excited to announce Rob Zahl as Director of the MLS NEXT New Tier program. This past February, Sporting City was announced as a founding club in the MLS NEXT New Tier - Heartland Conference.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rob Zahl and his family to Sporting KC and Sporting City,” said Dan Popik, Vice President of Youth Sports Properties for Sporting KC. “Rob’s extensive experience in leadership and coaching roles with MLS Academies and MLS NEXT Elite Academies makes him the ideal candidate to lead our MLS NEXT New Tier program.”
Rob Zahl brings a wealth of expertise to Sporting City, backed by over 30 years of leadership in youth soccer development. Zahl comes to Sporting City from Michigan Jaguars, an MLS NEXT Elite Academy Club in Southeast Michigan, where he served as the U15 and U17 head coach.
“I am honored and excited to join Sporting City and support the development of MLS NEXT New Tier,” said Zahl. “I’m committed to building a program that nurtures players, empowers coaches, and strengthens our community. I can’t wait to collaborate with Sporting City staff and Kansas City soccer fans to make this a success. I’m truly thankful to the club for entrusting me with this new project.”
Before joining the Michigan Jaguars, Zahl worked with Minnesota United’s academy, where he provided coaching and supported talent identification efforts. Additionally, Zahl held various director and coaching roles with the Portland Timbers and was the Boys Director for Minnesota Thunder during their time in the US Soccer Development Academy. Throughout his career at these clubs, Zahl earned a strong reputation for building successful programs, fostering talent development, maintaining high standards, and creating clear pathways for players to achieve success.
Zahl holds a US Soccer A License, a US Soccer Academy Director License, and is a candidate in the US Soccer A License Instructor course.
Sporting City is a youth soccer club located in Kansas City for U8 to U18/19 boys and girls, with over 1,550 competitive players, 112 teams, five full-time Directors, two full-time Operators, and 60 team coaches. Sporting City is an MLS NEXT New Tier and Girls Academy club.
Rob Zahl will be in attendance at next week’s MLS NEXT New Tier ID Sessions on April 15-17 at Swope Soccer Village. To register for these ID Sessions, click here.
You can find the most up-to-date information about the MLS NEXT New Tier program on the club’s website: www.sportingcitysoccer.com. Additionally, you can follow Sporting City on our social channels.
