Goalkeeper Tim Melia and a retooled Sporting Kansas City will host NYCFC on Sunday in their 2018 MLS season opener (7:30pm, FS1). Photo credit: Lyndsay Radnedge/Center Line Soccer
Record: 12-9-13, 49 points, Fifth place in the Western Conference
Coach: Peter Vermes
Key Additions: DEF Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), DEF Emiliano Amor (Velez Sarsfield-loan), MID Yohan Croizet (KV Mechelen), MID Felipe Gutierrez (Real Betis), FWD Johnny Russell (Derby County), and FWD Khiry Shelton (NYCFC)
Key Departures: DEF Saad Abdul-Salaam (NYCFC), DEF Erik Palmer-Brown (Manchester City), MID Soni Mustivar (option declined), MID Benny Feilhaber (LAFC), FWD Latif Blessing (LAFC), and FWD Soony Saad (Indy Eleven)
Outlook: Ever since a very cold Kansas City night in December of 2013 Sporting Kansas City has been chasing to replicate what they experienced that night. An MLS title.
2017 was like 2015, earning themselves a US Open Cup title, but falling short in the regular season and playing on the road in the playoff play in game. This pattern of reaching only the play in playoff match as the road team has happened every year since their 2013 triumph. Despite winning two USOC’s there has been multiple cries from the fans in the stands for changes.
Off-season moves saw a lot of players move on who had been part of the team at one or another leave Kansas City. Two of highlight went both to Los Angeles FC in Latif Blessing and Benny Feilhaber.
Blessing was a key contributor in the 2017 campaign having moved to MLS from the Ghanaian Premier League. His move to MLS gained a lot of notice back on the continent due to playing in the domestic league unlike most who join the youth systems of European clubs. The biggest issue for most fans was how Latif was such a great new addition for the squad and the player was not protected for the expansion draft.
Benny Feilhaber has been a focal part of the squad since his move to Kansas City in 2013. In the mean time 180 appearances and 33 goals later at age 33 it is understandable why the trade for $400,000 was made.
Expectations for 2018 are understandably high. The squad has qualified for the playoffs every season since 2011 and once again Sporting will play the small city club card to ensure that they will not have too many critics of how they perform.
Predictions: New signings of Yohan Croizet, Johnny Russell, Felipe Gutierrez, and Emiliano Amor will be big lights but its Amor that will probably be the biggest addition. Bringing him into the starting 11 will be the biggest task and yet the most important as the depth at center back is very thin. Vermes additions will be more in keeping with having a strong midfield and if they supply some goals then a top three conference finish is on the cards.
Sporting Kansas City
MLS
