Sporting KC signs local player

Sporting Kansas City announced Wednesday that the club has signed 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft pick Kyle Miller. The Overland Park, Kan. native was a former member of the Sporting Kansas City Juniors youth academy and attended St. Thomas Aquinas H.S. before playing collegiately at Rockhurst University.

"I am really excited. I have been here for a few months now and Peter and the rest of the coaching staff kept encouraging me and told me to keep working hard," Miller said. "All the hard work finally paid off. It is honestly a dream come true. I grew up here and I'm playing in my hometown."

"Kyle's work ethic is what earned him his first professional contract," Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes said. "He has good qualities and we look forward to watching his development."

Miller, 23, has appeared in three MLS Reserve League matches this season for Sporting KC and played in the team's 2-0 exhibition win over his alma mater Rockhurst University. He also earned minutes in three pre-season matches, debuting in a 5-1 win over FC Tucson and scoring in a 4-1 win over the United States Under-17 National Team in Orlando, Fla.

Miller appeared in 80 matches in his collegiate career, recording three goals and seven assists, and enjoyed a standout senior season in 2011 that saw him receive recognition including All-Conference, All-Midwest and All-America honors. He anchored a Hawks' defense which allowed only seven goals during the 2011 season, fewest in the nation, and helped the team reach the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.

Miller becomes the fourth member of the 2012 draft class to sign with Sporting Kansas City, along with Dom Dwyer, Cyprian Hedrick and Shawn Singh.