Sporting Kansas City signs 15-year-old Zamir Loyo Reynaga, hoping he'll debut in the MLS in 2027

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Sporting Kansas City has signed 15-year-old midfielder Zamir Loyo Reynaga, putting him on a trajectory for a 2027 MLS debut.

The MLS Next Pro deal will send Loyo Reynaga to Sporting KC II this season with the likelihood he joins the first team next year. The contract runs through the 2030-31 season and has a club option for 2031-32.

“We are delighted that Zamir has committed to becoming a professional player at this young age,” president of soccer operations and general manager David Lee said. “When I arrived at the club, I wanted to assess the existing talent within our system and it quickly became clear that we had a player in Zamir with special talent and high potential based on how he was performing last season at the age of 14."

Loyo Reynaga became the youngest player in franchise history to debut with SKC II on Sept. 28, 2025, at 14 years, 251 days old and he spent part of the 2026 preseason with Sporting KC’s first team.

He first joined the SKC Academy in 2023 when he played for the under-14 team at the Cronos Cup in December of that year.

Internationally, Loyo Reynaga has represented both the United States and Mexico in youth competition. He joined the U.S. under-14 national team for camp last April then represented Mexico's U15 team in July. He appeared most recently with the American U15 national team in September at a domestic training camp and is expected to rejoin the team at training camp later this month in Cyprus.

“This is a day of celebration for Zamir, his family and the club but the work continues immediately to maximize Zamir’s potential and help him reach the highest level,” Lee said. "Player development is not linear, and our role is to support Zamir through his next period of growth one step at a time through a humble, hard-working and dedicated approach.”

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FILE - A Sporting Kansas City flag flies prior to an MLS soccer match between Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami, April 13, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith, File)

DETROIT (AP) — Dillon Dingler homered, Framber Valdez pitched six shutout innings and the Detroit Tigers ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in their home opener on Friday.

Detroit has a .667 regular-season winning percentage (34-17) against the Cardinals — their highest mark against any team — but the Cardinals have a 2-1 advantage in World Series matchups. St. Louis beat the Tigers in 1934 and 2006, with Detroit winning in 1968.

Valdez (1-0) allowed three hits and two walks in his home debut for Detroit. Three relievers finished the game.

Michael McGreevy (0-1) allowed three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Riley Greene hit a one-out double in the fourth and Dingler broke the scoreless tie with a 433-foot homer over the Cardinals bullpen in left-center.

Greene then hit an RBI single with two out in the fifth to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead, and Javier Báez drove in Parker Meadows to add a fourth run in the sixth.

The Tigers nearly took the lead in the third inning. Báez singled and stole second before trying to score on a single from Gleyber Torres to right. However, Jordan Walker's throw reached the plate on the fly, allowing Iván Herrera to apply the tag.

The Cardinals loaded the bases with two out in the fourth, but José Fermín flew out to left.

The game-time temperature was 71 degrees, making it the warmest home opener since the Tigers moved to Comerica Park in 2000.

The teams play the second game of their weekend series on Saturday afternoon, with Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.15) facing RHP Dustin May (0-1, 13.50).

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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy throws against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers' Dillon Dingler hits a two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Comerica Park Friday, April 3, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)