Sporting KC
Ten Important Quotes about the 2025 Sporting KC Season
From player signings to roster construction plans to new details on the Alan Pulido transfer, we learned a ton about Sporting KC this week.

This past Saturday, Sporting Kansas City players reported to KC for the start of the 2025 preseason. In conjunction with the players arriving was the first press conference of the new season. Reporters got to speak to Chief Soccer Officer and Manager Peter Vermes, Sporting Director Mike Burns, new Homegrown signing Jacob Bartlett, the team’s 2024 MVP Jake Davis and 2024 Offensive Player of the Year Erik Thommy.
Over the course of the hour or so of interviews, an incredible amount of valuable information came out. There are far more quotes than can possibly be captured here, and I encourage you to watch the entire proceeding. If you don’t have an hour though, here are some stand out quotes that tell us a ton about the 2025 plans for Sporting KC.
Offers Have Been Made
“We’ve extended offers to players. We have not closed any deals on a DP or Under-22 Initiative yet. That is the objective, still for THIS window.” — Mike Burns
Probably the biggest source of consternation is the lack of any ‘big’ signings this offseason. Before this press conference, there had only been three Homegrown signings. During the presser, we learned of the Mason Toye signing.
But with nine open roster spots, fans want a blockbuster. While Burns didn’t clarify if any of the offers, they’ve made are of the massive variety, the assumption is the team has to be working on at least one, if not more, Designated Player signings.
Until those signings come through though, fans will rightfully be concerned. In 2024 we were told the team tried, and failed, to sign four players. Ultimately, they only made four offseason signings, the exact number the team is at now. The difference is, nearly a third of the roster remains open. Deals will get done.
We know now that last year’s failures were heavily budget related so knowing there is money to be spent does alleviate some of that concern for some. Others simply don’t trust that the truth is being told, and they’ll need to see a signing to believe it.
Burns also said all the right things when it came to finding the right guys. It’s an inexact science when you bring in players. Obviously, some players are a hit and some are a miss. While we’ve heard the ‘taking their time’ mantra before, this is Burns first run at it with SKC. I think he probably deserves the benefit of the doubt unless he shows otherwise.
#SportingKC Sporting Director Mike Burns: "We've extended offers to players. We have not closed any deals on a DP or Under-22 Initiative yet. That is the objective, still for THIS window. pic.twitter.com/OW7UL6LKI6
— KC Soccer Journal (@KCSoccerJournal) January 12, 2025
How will the Money be Spent?
“We have not decided… whether we’re gonna go with the 3/3 model or the 2/4 model.” — Mike Burns
Burns is referring to the recent rule changes that allow MLS clubs to pick between two roster construction models. Three Designated Players and three U-22 Initiative guys or two DPs, four U-22s and $2 million in extra General Allocation Money (GAM) to spend anywhere on the roster.
Some are upset that the team hasn’t decided where to go on this, but there is nuance here. First off, teams can switch their declaration midseason based on rule changes that were rolled out today (something Burns certainly had advanced knowledge of).
Second, why force yourself into one model or another? What if you believe a player is a DP caliber player, but then you can sign them to a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) contract? That should change what you were planning to do.
Or what if you want to sign a particular player but you can’t get the deal over the line and have to change plans? Or perhaps you really want a player and decide to offer more and that changes what model you fit into?
Flexibility is a good thing.
Signings are Coming
“We will have additional signings to announce.” — Mike Burns
That seemingly says it all, but let’s talk timeline in the next quote.
Forward Mason Toye signed by #SportingKC.
"We want to sign… players that want to be here. Mason is hungry and eager to join us."
"We will have additional signings to announce." pic.twitter.com/UVTF74gc1u
— KC Soccer Journal (@KCSoccerJournal) January 12, 2025
When are the Signings Coming?
“In a perfect world of course, I’d rather have all the positions filled tomorrow. It’ll accelerate and hopefully make our team better sooner… it’s more important to get it right than to just rush and sign a player.” — Mike Burns
Back to the “get it right” remarks. And it’s impossible to disagree. A DP deal will certainly be for three, if not four, years. If a team gets that wrong, either they have to execute a buyout (of which teams get two per season now), transfer the player or hope for a mutual parting of ways. But often, you are stuck with the person you signed. You have to get it right.
As for when they’ll get it right, basically, they’ll be here when they get here.
If I were a betting man, I’d say SKC could be in for an uneven start to the season. However, they know what they have and can hopefully grind out some results. If they get the moves right, then it’s not uncommon for teams to go on a run. The Seattle Sounders did it year after year for a while.
Perhaps it’s time for KC to be that team.
Burns: "It's more important to get it right than to just rush and sign a player.""We won't operate like that… we'd rather do it sooner than later." #SportingKC
— KC Soccer Journal (@kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social) 2025-01-12T14:08:41.214Z
Is Toye Pulido’s Replacement?
“The last time we spoke, I really focused on the 10 and the winger… that is still the focus, but now the 9 is in play as well… Even with the addition of Mason [Toye], now the focus in terms of international players are the 10, the winger and certainly another 9 as well.” — Mike Burns
The team build is far from done, as if that wasn’t clear from the other quotes in this story. But many people are complaining that Toye has an injury history and Agada isn’t ready to be the starter. First, I’d push back and say Agada has earned a chance to start. If you put the right pieces around him, it could even elevate his game.
For those worried it’s Agada or bust, Burns was clear, they are “certainly” looking to add another striker (#9) as well. If Mason Toye finds the promise he seemingly had when he came into the league, then that’s great. But if he doesn’t, the team sounds like they are already shopping.
Burns: "[The 10 and the winger] is still the focus. But now the 9 [striker] is in play as well."
"Even with the addition of Mason [Toye]" the plan is to sign another 9 as well. #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/2X0l0kRsqf
— KC Soccer Journal (@KCSoccerJournal) January 12, 2025
Formations aren’t Tactics
“In the beginning, it’ll probably be a 4-3-3… as hopefully we get some players in, that’ll give us more flexibility in the team.” — Peter Vermes
This one deserves more nuance than a couple paragraphs can give it. He gives an answer over four minutes long, starting around 16:30, that I would encourage you to listen to.
Despite trying to pin Vermes down on a single versus double pivot and a preferred formation, it sounds like things are fluid. They’ll fit the formation to the talent. This is progress. In the past, it felt like square pegs being slammed into round holes at times.
This will be something to watch as the season progresses.
Smash Mouth Soccer
“We’ve got to get back to being a really, really tough team to play against.” — Peter Vermes
Speaking of a fluid formation and tactics, it might be time to go back to the physical ways of the past for Sporting KC. Not necessarily long-term, but if they are playing games before the big signings arrive, being physical can be an equalizer.
Lower-level teams do it all around the world and try to hit on the counter or set pieces. Most teams don’t have their attack figured out at the beginning of the season anyways, so perhaps they can steal some wins they shouldn’t be able to.
Sitting back, absorbing some pressure and countering out of it for a while may not be the worst idea as the team gets their feet under them and their signings brought in. They have the personnel to hit on the counter with William Agada leading the line. Particularly if Stephen Afrifa or Alenis Vargas are out there too.
And Jake Davis is just the man for the job to bring that toughness back. Who joins him in that physicality is yet to be determined. Joaquin Fernandez seems like a good shout with his “you come in my box, I kill you” line about Olivier Giroud last year.
The Team Captain Spot is up for Grabs
“You can’t force leadership upon someone. Either you have it or you don’t… you either have the cajones or you don’t.” — Peter Vermes
Johnny Russell was the captain in 2024 but obviously he’s gone. That leaves an opening for someone else to claim. We got a chance to ask Davis and Thommy about it, and they definitely gave different answers. Vermes also didn’t rule out that the captain to be isn’t on the team yet.
We’ll see who shows the ‘cajones’ in preseason and claims the job.
Vermes is looking for "cajones" in his next captain. He hasn't ruled out a player not yet signed could win that spot. #SportingKC
— KC Soccer Journal (@kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social) 2025-01-12T14:36:17.213Z
Some Pulido Insight
“I had a discussion with [Pulido] after the season… One of my responses was that of course we’d be open to anything regarding movement but understand there are going to be very specific stipulation.” — Peter Vermes
Vermes answering @TheBackpost on how the Pulido transfer came about.
It was a seven week process. #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/pW07RMYCpw
— KC Soccer Journal (@KCSoccerJournal) January 12, 2025
Initially, the reaction was to give much of the credit for selling Alan Pulido to Chivas to Mike Burns. He’s the new Sporting Director, it made sense. However, you can hear that Vermes was very involved. It sounds to me like he was forthright with Alan about his 2024 season and potentially Pulido was unhappy in KC.
Vermes said Pulido could leave, but he demanded that they not buyout Pulido’s contract and they get a transfer fee in return. Not only that, but the KC Star’s Daniel Sperry confirmed that the transfer fee (which is an undisclosed fee rumored at between $1.5 and $2 million by Mexican sources) can be converted to General Allocation Money (GAM).
That makes this move an even better bit of business. Sporting KC free up a Designated Player spot and about $3.9 million in salary (based on 2024 known compensation). They get a player who was underperforming off of the pitch. And they get money to reinvest in the roster and buy down budget charges. It’s huge!
Burns may have ultimately done the negotiation, but Vermes laid the groundwork.
Staff Updates for SKC
The final question of the press conference came with updates on the front office. The team has made an offer for a Sporting KC II coach. They’ve added a domestic scout and are looking to add international scouts. The team also is likely to hire an Assistant Sporting Director in the next month. Based on previous conversations, that hire would be over the second team and the Academy, but also obviously work directly with Mike Burns and Peter Vermes.
Mike Burns on a staffing update. Status on hiring scouts, an Assistant Sporting Director and the SKC II coach. #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/dnHhZZzie8
— KC Soccer Journal (@KCSoccerJournal) January 12, 2025
The team is also hiring a replacement for Zoran Savic, but the timeline is very fluid.
Vermes: "The number of applications we have [to replace Zoran Savic] is daunting.""Whether it's going to happen in a week or two months, I truly don't know." #SportingKC
— Chad Smith (@chadcsmith.bsky.social) 2025-01-11T16:09:59.159Z
Full Press Conference
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