Sporting KC: Who is their most important player?

So who is the most important?

I believe that Ilie Sanchez is the most important player for Sporting Kansas City. He just isn’t replaceable with current options in the squad. If you look at the depth chart at Sporting KC, you don’t find any player with his skill set. If Ilie were to miss a game, Vermes would have to turn to Felipe Gutierrez, Gedion Zelalem, Andreu Fontas or Wan Kuzain. Gutierrez has played in a deeper role but is not nearly as comfortable as his teammate. None of the others would be close to Sanchez’ calming influence.

Meanwhile, both Besler and Espinoza have to some extent been replaced. For Besler, Botond Barath, Andreu Fontas, and Graham Smith have been used. It hasn’t been smooth sailing for the backline, but those three have had some really strong performances as well as weak ones. Overall, Besler is an easier position to fill.

Espinoza has been replaced by Yohan Croizet, Gianluca Busio, Kelyn Rowe, and most recently, Benny Feilhaber. The acquisition of Feilhaber has been huge. Since his return, SKC has one win, three draws, and two losses. It doesn’t sound great, but it is a substantial improvement on the two draws and three losses in the five games before his arrival.

Ilie Sanchez plays almost every game and does at an extremely high level with an impact that few else in the squad can replicate. Sporting simply can’t afford for him not to be out on the field. That is why he is their most important player.