Sporting KC MLS Cup 2013: Where are they now?

KANSAS CITY, KS - DECEMBER 7: Members of Sporting Kansas City celebrate with the trophy after winning the MLS Cup Final against the Real Salt Lake at Sporting Park on December 7, 2013 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KS - DECEMBER 7: Members of Sporting Kansas City celebrate with the trophy after winning the MLS Cup Final against the Real Salt Lake at Sporting Park on December 7, 2013 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
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KANSAS CITY, KS – NOVEMBER 29: Sporting Kansas City defender Ike Opara (3) dribbles the ball in the second half of the MLS Western Conference Championship between the Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City on November 29, 2018 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KS – NOVEMBER 29: Sporting Kansas City defender Ike Opara (3) dribbles the ball in the second half of the MLS Western Conference Championship between the Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City on November 29, 2018 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Ike Opara – Minnesota United

American centre-half Ike Opara was one of Sporting KC’s substitutes the day they won the MLS Cup. The defender played 21 times in the season, including three times in the playoffs. During his college career, Opara played for the Cary Clarets, as well as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, his collegiate team.

He was drafted third overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft and spent three seasons with the club before moving to Sporting KC. In his first season with the side, he helped them to victory in the MLS Cup final. He stayed with them through to the end of 2018, helping them to win the U.S. Open Cup in 2015 and 2017, along with the individual award of MLS Defender of the Year in the latter.

Opara made his international debut for the USMNT in 2018, and made the move to Minnesota United for the start of the 2019 campaign, and has been integral in pushing them towards a playoff berth.

Lawrence Olum – Minnesota United

Utility man Lawrence Olum came on from the bench as Sporting KC won the MLS Cup in 2013, replacing the injured Oriol Rosell after just eight minutes. The Kenyan, who can play in both defence and midfield, has spent the majority of his professional career in the States. He played for St. Louis Lions, Portland Timbers, Minnesota Thunder, Austin Aztex and Orlando City in the lower leagues, before making his top-flight breakthrough.

Olum signed for Sporting Kansas City in 2011 and became a key part of their U.S. Open Cup-winning side in 2012. He then played 22 games for the club on their run to the MLS Cup title a year later. After a year in Malaysia in 2015, Olum returned to SKC for the 2016 season. He then spent two years with the Portland Timbers, now in MLS, before signing for Minnesota United at the start of the 2019 campaign.

Olum made his debut for his national side in 2014, whilst in his first spell with Sporting Kansas City, and has since gone on to play four times for Kenya.

Federico Bessone – FC Andorra

Halfway through a journeyman-type career, Federico Bessone made the move to Sporting Kansas City and was on the bench for their MLS Cup triumph in 2013. The Argentinian’s career started in Spain, as he came through the ranks of Barcelona. After spells with their C team, and then Espanyol B and Gimnàstic, the full-back moved to Britain.

There, he spent time with Swansea City, Leeds United, Charlton Athletic, Swindon Town and Oldham Athletic before making the move Stateside in September 2013. Bessone provided cover for the Sporting KC defence on their run to the MLS Cup title but left the club shortly after having not played a game for them.

He moved back to England in 2014, signing for Millwall, before then spending two seasons with AE Prat in Spain. Bessone currently plays for Andorra, who play in the third tier of Spanish football.

HARRISON, NJ – JULY 21: New England Revolution forward Teal Bunbury (10) during the second half of the Major League Soccer game between the New York Red Bulls and the New England Revolution on July 21, 2018, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HARRISON, NJ – JULY 21: New England Revolution forward Teal Bunbury (10) during the second half of the Major League Soccer game between the New York Red Bulls and the New England Revolution on July 21, 2018, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Teal Bunbury – New England Revolution

One of Sporting KC’s attacking options on their bench was Teal Bunbury. The Canadian-born forward played 14 times after returning from injury to help SKC to glory in 2013. The forward played for Rochester Thunder in the USL Premier Development League, alongside making appearances for the Akron Zips, his college side.

In the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, Bunbury was drafted 4th overall by the Kansas City Wizards, the team who he would then play his first four seasons in MLS with. The forward was part of the U.S. Open Cup-winning side of 2012, and the MLS Cup-winning team of 2013, before moving on to New England, where he has played over 150 times for the Revolution.

 Claudio Bieler – Independiente del Valle

The second man to come on during the MLS Cup final of 2013 was Claudio Bieler, who replaced Dom Dwyer and went on to score SKC’s first penalty in the shootout.

The Argentine’s career started in his home country, playing for Colón and Atlético Rafaela, before spending time in other parts of South America. Bieler played for Colo-Colo and LDC Quito, before returning to Argentina to play for Racing and Newell’s Old Boys. After a second spell with LDU Quito, the forward made the move to the USA.

He signed with Sporting Kansas City as a designated player, and in 2013, he became the first DP in club history to score double-digit goals. Including the post-season, Bieler betted 11 times in 31 appearances for the club, as they lifted the MLS Cup.

The Argentine left the club in the summer of 2014, returning to South America. After spells with Quilmes, Belgrano and San Martin, Bieler signed for Independiente del Valle for their 2019 campaign.

Eric Kronberg – Unattached

The back-up goalkeeper that year was Eric Kronberg, who spent nine seasons with Kansas City but was only used sparingly in that time.

His professional career began with Sonoma County Sol, before being drafted with the 40th overall pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft by the Kansas City Wizards. However, Kronberg would remain second-choice goalkeeper to Jimmy Neilsen until the Dane retired. In 2014, the American was given the starting berth but only played 20 games due to finger injuries.

Kronberg signed for the Montreal Impact in 2015, and spent three years with the Canadian outfit, but was released at the end of his contract. The ‘keeper remains unattached.

Jacob Peterson – Unattached

Given the nickname ‘The Answer’, Jacob Peterson was known for his ability to fit into a starting XI in any number of positions, and he did so for SKC during their 2013 MLS Cup run.

His professional career started with the Colorado Rapids, after being drafted by the club with the 21st overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft that year. Peterson amassed over 100 appearances for the club before moving to Toronto FC. After two years there, and a short spell with the San Jose Earthquakes, the winger moved to Kansas City.

With SKC, Peterson was part of the U.S. Open Cup-winning sides of 2012 and 2015, along with the MLS Cup triumph in 2013, where he played 19 times. He left the club at the end of 2016, signing for expansion side Atlanta United, however, he left the Five Stripes at the end of the 2017 season and remains unattached.