Sporting KC: Forever the overlooked contender
Led by Peter Vermes, Sporting KC topped the Western Conference table last season. Why are they being overlooked yet again this season?
As a league, MLS is becoming more competitive with more star power with every new season. Through the league growth, Sporting Kansas City and Peter Vermes continually field a winning product. Though the MLS Multiplex Preseason Power Rankings have Sporting KC again topping the West, Bobby Warshaw has Sporting KC’s squad ranked below Houston.
Where is the respect for the reigning Western Conference regular-season champions? Surely, CONCACAF Champions League games will not be too burdensome and Sporting KC will again be in the top four in the West. The extra games have taken a toll on previous MLS contenders, sure, but any doubts in Vermes are now unfounded. Yet here is another lead asking if the consistency will extend to 2019.
All the big market teams with big marque stars are being hyped as title favorites. Only in Atlanta is the noise as justified as the fans are sanctified. Kansas City has the humble folks of the Blue Hell ready to welcome all comers, but quietly expecting a win. Sporting KC has yet to lose this preseason; those new additions are seemingly fitting in well.
Sporting KC versus Toluca is the only MLS-Liga MX pairing in this round of the CCL. Toluca are going through tough times in Liga MX, but CCL form does not always match the dregs of regular-season play. Advancing will be difficult but more than possible, going by the numbers.
Matt Besler, Graham Zuzi and Tim Melia are all familiar with each other and the defensive system. There are very little holdovers from Sporting KC’s first trophies under Vermes. These remaining veterans are at the heart of the Sporting KC winning culture and are ready for a big series to start the year.
Sure, a longer season will be tough. But this roster is built for multiple competitions and the preseason wars for spots from the few new additions has helped the atmosphere. Besler expressed his excitement to Sports Radio 810:
"“In a way we were forced to speed up the process and push through things quicker from a fitness and tactical standpoint. But we didn’t really have a ton of (player) turnover, and that’s definitely a good thing. We were already getting into full-squad scrimmages after the first week. We’re further along than we’ve ever been at this point, but we have to be <…> Everyone on our team believes that we are on par with (Liga MX) in terms of quality. Now it’s our turn to prove that and to show that. This is exciting for us because it’s something we don’t get to do every year.”"
However, even the local paper is throwing a wet blanket on any CCL-run ideas. Focus on the U.S. Open Cup they say. Why not both?
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Roger Espinoza and Filipe Gutierrez will not be caught surprised by Toluca’s style of play. Yohan Croizet has been in his fair share of battles and can find moments of brilliance. Being in the CCL just provides Johnny Russell more opportunities to add to his growing legend.
Sporting KC being the first to win CONCACAF Champions League would be unexpected, but faith in Peter Vermes has paid off handsomely. Sporting KC want to be the remembered as the milestone MLS team who first won the CCL. And why can’t they be?
They have the talent and depth to do so and they have Peter Vermes to lead them. The new titles will not mean much when it comes to in-game tactics this season. Vermes’ new title as Manager and Sporting Director should give comfort to Sporting KC fans.
His new duties of continuing ‘oversight of all soccer operations at Sporting, including day-to-day coaching, roster management, scouting and the development of the Swope Park Rangers and the Sporting KC Academy’ means Sporting KC can expect a consistent contender for years to come. Having a CCL trophy to taunt the coastal types would fit right in at Children’s Mercy Park.
dark. Next. MLS: Preseason Power Rankings
Sporting Kansas City are forever overlooked. But perhaps it’s time they were taken a bit more seriously. This team is for real.