Jonathan Kempin was born on April 8,1993 and is an American former professional soccer player who played as a goalkeeper.
49 Facts About Jon Kempin
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Jon Kempin previously appeared for Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy, Columbus Crew SC, and DC United and spent time on loan with Orlando City, OKC Energy, San Antonio Scorpions, Swope Park Rangers, LA Galaxy II, Hartford Athletic, San Diego Loyal, and Loudoun United.
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Jon Kempin played club soccer in the Kansas City Wizards system, climbing through the club's academy setup before signing for the first team as a homegrown player in August 2010.
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Jon Kempin made his debut for the renamed Sporting Kansas City in May 2012, going on to appear 12 times for the team in seven seasons.
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Jon Kempin spent four spells on loan while with SKC, winning a USL Pro championship with Orlando City and spending time with OKC Energy, San Antonio Scorpions, and Swope Park Rangers.
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Jon Kempin represented the United States from under-14 to under-23 level.
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Jon Kempin was a part of the under-17 residency program at the IMG Soccer Academy while in high school and represented the under-18, under-20, and under-23 teams in competitive matches.
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Jon Kempin attended Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, winning a state title and allowing just two goals as a freshman.
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Jon Kempin was selected to take part in the United States U17 residency program at the IMG Soccer Academy, where he spent his sophomore year.
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In 2017, Jon Kempin was inducted into the Blue Valley North Athletic Hall of Fame and the Kansas Soccer Hall of Fame.
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Jon Kempin did not make an appearance in his first professional season, although he was named to the bench for the club's season finale against San Jose Earthquakes.
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In 2011, Jon Kempin again did not play for the Sporting Kansas City first team.
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Jon Kempin did become the club's primary goalkeeper in the MLS Reserve League, appearing several times in that competition, and was named to the substitutes' bench three times in Major League Soccer play.
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Jon Kempin was named to the bench 13 times in league play, all due to an injury to normal backup goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, but did not play outside of his lone cup appearance.
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On March 14,2013, Jon Kempin was loaned to Orlando City, Sporting KC's USL Pro affiliate, in a bid to find regular playing time.
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Jon Kempin did not appear in the club's playoff run, with Miguel Gallardo starting in net as Orlando claimed the USL Pro title for the second time in club history.
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Jon Kempin returned to Sporting Kansas City with six games remaining in the regular season, but was unable to beat out Jimmy Nielsen or Kronberg to make a matchday squad.
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Jon Kempin watched on during the club's playoff run as SKC defeated Real Salt Lake on penalties to win MLS Cup 2013, the second league championship in club history.
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On March 17,2014, Jon Kempin was loaned to OKC Energy FC for the duration of the 2014 season.
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Jon Kempin appeared 13 times through the front half of the season, with that run of matches including a six-game losing streak and a six-game unbeaten run.
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Jon Kempin was recalled by Sporting KC on July 9,2014, after Eric Kronberg fractured a bone in his left hand.
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Jon Kempin immediately stepped into the backup role behind Andy Gruenebaum, sitting on the bench in SKC's next five matches.
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Jon Kempin was selected to take part in the inaugural MLS Homegrown Game, where he played the second half against Portland Timbers U23s and was named as the game's Most Valuable Player.
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On March 20,2015, Jon Kempin was again sent on loan, this time joining North American Soccer League club San Antonio Scorpions for the duration of the 2015 season.
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That revelation, coupled with the selection of Alec Kann in the 2015 MLS Re-Entry Draft, meant that Jon Kempin was again the club's number three goalkeeper.
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Jon Kempin was sent on loan to SKC's United Soccer League affiliate, Swope Park Rangers, on March 25,2016.
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Jon Kempin went unselected in the 2016 MLS Re-Entry Draft.
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Jon Kempin was intended to serve as the club's number three goalkeeper, behind Brian Rowe and Clement Diop.
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Jon Kempin appeared for Galaxy II sporadically throughout the 2017 season, playing his last of six games while on loan on August 2 against Orange County SC.
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On December 13,2017, Jon Kempin was traded to Columbus Crew SC in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
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Jon Kempin stepped straight into the backup role behind Zack Steffen, appearing on the bench in each of Crew SC's first three matches.
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Jon Kempin went on to appear four more times, finishing his first season in Columbus with five appearances; he was named to the bench an additional 31 times in all competitions.
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Jon Kempin played five times in Columbus during the remainder of the season, including both of the Crew's matches in the US Open Cup.
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The Crew acquired two goalkeepers ahead of the 2020 season, and in a bid for playing time Jon Kempin was loaned out, joining USL Championship expansion side San Diego Loyal on March 6.
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Jon Kempin kept his place in the team after the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, starting the first four games for the Loyal after the resumption.
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Eloy Room and Andrew Tarbell shared the starting job during the club's playoff run, and Jon Kempin missed the Eastern Conference final after reportedly testing positive for COVID-19.
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On January 8,2021, Jon Kempin was traded to DC United in exchange for a third round pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.
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Jon Kempin appeared to be the third goalkeeper on the depth chart at the beginning of the season, behind starter Bill Hamid and Chris Seitz.
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Jon Kempin officially re-signed with DC on February 4,2022.
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On February 26,2023, Jon Kempin announced his retirement from professional soccer on his personal Twitter account.
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Jon Kempin returned to the under-18 setup in 2011, representing the US at the Lisbon International Tournament and the Milk Cup.
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Jon Kempin again earned just one call-up in 2014, taking part in the first-ever training camp for the under-21 national team.
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In January 2015, Jon Kempin earned his first call-up to the United States senior national team, with head coach Jurgen Klinsmann including the then-21-year-old as one of four goalkeepers in the squad for a pair of friendlies.
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However, Jon Kempin did not appear in either match during the camp, with Nick Rimando and Sean Johnson splitting the minutes.
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Jon Kempin is one of three children to his parents, Julie and Vance.
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Jon Kempin played baseball and basketball as well as soccer while growing up, with his father coaching him in baseball.
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Jon Kempin later earned his Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Southern New Hampshire University, part of a program between the university and Major League Soccer to help players complete their degrees while playing.
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Outside of soccer, Jon Kempin is a licensed real estate agent at ReeceNichols, following his mother and grandmother in the profession.
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Jon Kempin joined the Sporting KC radio broadcast team as an analyst for the 2024 season.