Opinion: Sporting Kansas City’s little discussed challenge in 2026

“I’m not sure you can have too many leaders in your locker room.” U.S., Major League Soccer, and Kansas City legend Tony Meola, July 12, 2025.

There is a challenge within the current era of Sporting Kansas City, one that has not been much talked about.

It goes back to 2024 and through 2025. It goes beyond Sporting’s current transition to a new regime; beyond overcoming back-to-back seasons of disheartening, near-bottom of the table results; beyond the roster challenges so evident at the moment. The challenge is in roster leadership.

History

Gone are the days of the presence of a Meola, a Mo Johnston; a Jimmy Conrad, a Diego Gutierrez who spearheaded runs to the 2000 and 2004 MLS Cup and Open Cup, respectively. Gone are Paulo Nagamura, Jimmy Nielsen, Matt Besler; Roger Espinoza, Ilie Sanchez, Ike Opara; and Tim Meila and Johnny Russell who led Sporting to MLS Cup 2013, as well as US Open Cups in 2012, 2015, and 2017, an 8-year MLS playoff streak, and through the smaller triumphs beyond, respectively.

Scouring the current roster in the context of observation and experience of playing in MLS and with Sporting KC, it is difficult to see one player that stands out as a consummate leader. That is not to disparage; it is to point out a gap.

In 2024, Russell captained Sporting Kansas City 18 times, Tim Melia five, and Nemanja Radoja five times. All were cut from the roster after the season. In 2025, Erik Thommy, who was jettisoned in the offseason, captained the side 14 times.

Daniel Salloi, in his 10^th season with the club, captained the side 18 times last season. Yes, Salloi has grown with his experience and has become outspoken in instances, yet he does not fit the profile.

Meola gained status because of his World Cup experience and his no-nonsense, high expectations attitude. Besler in part because of his trajectory and his embracing being the face of soccer in Kansas City. Russell in part because of his incredible desire to win and his disarming personality. Each had an aura that accentuated his leadership. And each had a singular purpose: to drive their club to wins, to titles.

The teams these leaders played on did not have top-tier talent. But their drive and unified focus and veteran presence drove them to triumphs.

A decision guided

Perhaps a gap in leadership is why new manager Raphael Wicky filled out his coaching staff with Sporting Kansas City legend Roger Espinoza and the rich pedigree that is Dominic Kinnear, who played professionally in Scotland, Mexico, and the US, earned 54 caps with the US National Team, and has coached at four MLS clubs in a 25-year coaching career, winning two MLS Cups and a Supporter’s Shield. In fact, I’m certain it was.

Coaching can make a world of difference. After all, Meola credits Manager Bob Gansler’s discipline and organization for turning the 2000 Kansas City Wizards – “misfits from other teams” – into a championship side.

A leader is needed in the macro moments to organize, to guide toward the common goal, to motivate through values instilled and attention given to the nuances of team and individual. And that is what a good coach can do.

But, like a parent, the message from such an expected source can become routine, even dull. And all the positiveness built in those macro moments can quickly disappear in the micro moments within the 90 minutes of a match: When the game plan so meticulously planned just isn’t working. And even when it is, and execution fails. When the opponent brings a whole new world from what was expected. When doubt erodes faith in team and self. When momentum swings and panic begins to root. Those moments take a strong leader within the eleven battling on the field to refocus the energy. To use the moments to bring a truth to light and light the way to victory.

A “group of guys”

“What has been incredible about [Sporting Kansas City] over the years, and not just [2023], is that there has been a very large leadership group… That group of guys talks every single day about what we need to do; what needs to be better as a group; what is strong with the group; what potentially, later on, could be an issue or a non-issue. It’s something that we do every single day.” Graham Zusi (KC Wizards & SKC 2009-2023) October 21, 2023.

That group of leaders pulled the side out of the funk of no wins in the first ten matches into a 12-7-5 finish to reach the postseason, top San Jose Earthquakes in a shootout in the play-in match, then defeat top-seeded St. Louis City in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

In the moments during matches or trainings that a coaching staff does not see or hear or the moments where it was just the players, these players insisted on high standards and high responsibility

For sure, besides a leader on the pitch, at the head, a strong club needs a group of leaders, at least one per line on the field. Because without leaders, it is just a group of guys.

Who is the leader along the backline for Sporting Kansas City in 2026… Zorhan Bassong? Sophomore Jansen Miller? Second-year starter John Pulskamp?

In the midfield? Second-year member Manu Garcia? Jake Davis?

Along the frontline? Salloi? Former MLS Champion Dejan Joveljic, in his second season with the club?

It is not apparent that a strong cadre of players are or have been daily monitoring gains and concerns for the wellbeing of the group. Or being that liaison between roster and staff. There well may be that group. The biggest challenge to that group is… and will be in 2026… drawing together a team riddled with inexperience as prime time (or even part-time) first division contributors, let alone (eventually) a large number of players with no experience playing in the United States and Major League Soccer.

Growing pains

Leaders will emerge for Sporting Kansas in 2026 and beyond. And if I get the side-eye in the locker room after a match because of my current skepticism, I get it.

The hope is that the leaders present emerge and that their influence is more palpable in all aspects. Because this young and inexperienced side will need it. Will demand it.