Fixing what is ailing Sporting Kansas City
By Marcel Dumas
With a roster that is constructed very well, the current season form for Sporting Kansas City has been well below their expectations. Fixing the issues may take a few minor tweaks or one major change.
Sporting Kansas City entered the 2016 season with expectations of being a player in the Western Conference. Returning an excellent midfield, a proven scorer and one of the best defensive generals in MLS, there was a lot to like about the makeup of the team. As MLS has entered the Copa America break, questions abound as to why this team is not getting results.
With only 14 goals in 16 games, the Sporting Kansas City attack has been the most disappointing part of the season. With only 18 given up, the defense has been on solid ground.
Most of the attention during the early going has been on midfielder Benny Feilhaber. Feilhaber had an incredible season last year resulting in 12 goals and 20 assists across all competitions.
To date, the Sporting KC number 10 has scored two and assisted two so far this season. While these numbers are a major drop off from a year ago, it is important to remember that Feilhaber had never come close to posting the kind of totals he saw in 2015. Expectation of him continuing to perform at that type of level may be a little unfair, but even when removing the point totals from the equation, Feilhaber’s overall play has left much to be desired compared to 2015.
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Some of the drop in play can be related to the early season injury that saw him miss the first three games. Unless there are some unknown lingering effects, the rustiness should have been brushed away by now.
Graham Zusi is another part of SKC’s attack that should be able to help carry the load. Zusi has never been a stat sheet stuffing type of player. He is one of those who is key in the build up play that leads to a goal, or in the possession game.
Zusi does garner the attention of those defending his wing as he is capable of delivering that pass or shot to create an opportunity for his team. Like Feilhaber, his overall impact on the games have not been as consistent and noticeable this season. He does have 3 assists, but has yet to get on the goals scored side of the column.
Whether it is an issue of tactics, or a change to how opposing teams are playing against them, Sporting Kansas City has got to find a way to open up the field for Feilhaber and Zusi. Both are too talented and too key for SKC to allow their struggles to continue.
While Zusi and Feilhaber are key to orchestrating the attack. The finishing component of the attack rests on the dependable feet of Dom Dwyer. While yet to recreate the goal pace from his 2014 season (22 goals), he was a consistent threat last year and has remained so this season.
Giving time for chemistry to develop and things starting to click may be something that SKC does not have. If the attack does not correct itself quickly, then the lost points may become too much to overcome in the playoff race.
Using the break to focus on current tactics, or make a change to them may be the better option. Some of the things that SKC should consider is to have more “swapping” of positions in their attack throughout the flow of the game.
Looking at Feilhaber’s heat maps (per whoscored.com) show the bulk of his touches occurring 40 yards out towards the touchline. While Feilhaber has the ability to make something happen from out there, the lack of touches around the box and in more dangerous central locations has to be a concern.
If interchanging positions throughout the game is not implemented, then perhaps a change in formation from the preferred 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 or similar could open up the attack. Allowing Zusi more room to operate on the wing and moving Feilhaber centrally behind Dwyer may help unlock opposing defenses.
Having two holding midfielders to protect the backline should help in transitioning from the defense to the attack more efficiently. Even if not implemented as a permanent change, having a second formation to use in order to gain a tactical advantage is good to have.
Another option for Sporting Kansas City is to acquire a third Designated Player. With Zusi and Besler currently holding down two slots, filing the third with an appropriate attack minded player may turn things around.
The issue with pursuing another DP for SKC is two folded. Finding a DP that fits within team budget constraints, and is a major improvement on the player they would replace is a difficult search. Chemistry becomes a concern when introducing another player of that caliber and adjusting the team to said player’s abilities.
The second issue with pursuing another DP is it ties SKC’s hands on future contracts to a certain degree. Dwyer is a player capable of being deemed a DP. He could push for that type of payday if he continues to be the focal point of the attack and produces. Potentially losing out on a player that you know intimately for a player who may not ultimately make you better is a tough pill to swallow. This is a position one would have to think Sporting management does not want to be in.
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Overall, Sporting Kansas City has one of the more complete rosters in MLS. They have a committed management team and fan base behind them. All the pieces are there to push towards MLS glory. Even with that, something needs to be done soon or another season of hope may be lost.