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Sporting KC: 2020 Preview – Can Peter Vermes bounceback?

By Matt Coles

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 3: Krisztian Nemeth #9 of Sporting Kansas City celebrates his first half goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 3: Krisztian Nemeth #9 of Sporting Kansas City celebrates his first half goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
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MONTERREY, MEXICO – APRIL 04: Peter Vermes, coach of Sporting KC, looks on prior the semifinal match between Monterrey and Sporting KC as par of the CONCACAF Champions League 2019 at BBVA Bancomer Stadium on April 04, 2019 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images)
MONTERREY, MEXICO – APRIL 04: Peter Vermes, coach of Sporting KC, looks on prior the semifinal match between Monterrey and Sporting KC as par of the CONCACAF Champions League 2019 at BBVA Bancomer Stadium on April 04, 2019 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

2020 Outlook

Sporting KC had plenty of preseason activity with six clashes ahead of the start of the 2020 MLS regular-season campaign, facing the Phoenix Rising, FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew to start with. They then played Real Salt Lake, the New York Red Bulls, and the Phoenix Rising again in the Visit Tucson Sun Cup, a mini-preseason tournament.

SKC will begin their regular season on February 29 with a road game against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Their home opener comes a week later, the Houston Dynamo the visitors to Kansas City.

They have a tough run in April and May as they face six playoff teams in consecutive matches.  They play Minnesota United, Los Angeles FC, Toronto FC, the Philadelphia Union, the Seattle Sounders, and FC Dallas, a tricky run which could make or break their season despite being so early. Sporting KC have one of the easiest run-ins in MLS as they face five teams that failed to reach the post-season last term ahead of their Decision Day clash against New York City FC. Along with the league campaign, Sporting will also feature in the U.S. Open Cup.

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Following a massive drop in 2019, it is not inconceivable that SKC will return to the playoffs with a huge upturn in their form this year. Peter Vermes is an experienced head coach who knows how to win, but the squad is ageing and they have a lot of ground to make up.

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