The 2026 Sporting KC Season is Underway: Immediate Reactions

For the Glory KC is back with the 168th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City kicked off the 2026 Major League Soccer season and for 38 minute it was going pretty well.

Then Justin Reynolds went down with a “soft tissue” injury, and everything had to be shuffled around and the team collapsed. While the team put out, and the broadcast mimicked, that it was a 4-3-3, the team was definitely in their 4-4-2 defensive shape we talked about earlier this week. Jake Davis took the Daniel Salloi role and played quite well until he was forced to move to right back.

We talk through all the beats of the game and what stood out to us. And the gif of the season.

Pulksamp hung out to dry tonight, including by that post. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

— KC Soccer Journal (@kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social) 2026-02-22T05:12:26.055Z

Speaking of Salloi, we discussed that trade and the additions to the team since our last episode of the podcast. We also get into David Lee’s press conference promising “three to six” additions to the roster before the primary transfer window closes on March 26th.

The KC Current basically were radio silent this week. We did sneak in some former players appearance at the SKC/SJ game into the podcast.

Claire Hutton, Alex Pfeiffer and Jordan Silkowitz (current Bay FC and former KC Current players) behind Manu Garcia on the corner kick. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

— Chad Smith (@chadcsmith.bsky.social) 2026-02-22T03:48:32.054Z

In the Digital Crawl, we hit on a few more topics, including:

• Toronto FC’s splash transfer of Josh Sargent
• Sheena wants to handle the Messi update?!?

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Former KC Current Player Sightings – 5:39
• Sporting KC trade Salloi and add two signings – 8:25
• SKC versus San Jose – 28:25
• David Lee presser and SKC round-up – 59:21
• Coachella Valley Invitational – 1:20:24
• Digital Crawl – 1:31:25

Upcoming Games

• Sporting KC vs. Columbus Crew – SAT, Feb 28 at 7:30PM CT

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled dot com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they’ll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.

You can find For the Glory KC wherever you get your podcasts. Search “For the Glory KC” and be sure to subscribe! Here are some helpful links:

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Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast. Five-star ratings and reviews will help others find the pod. On Spotify you can review on the mobile app by clicking the three dots. On Apple Podcasts, it’s much easier. If it’s not quite five-star worthy yet, feel free to let us know in the comments or on Twitter (@PlayFor90 or @ForTheGloryKC). Sheena essentially runs our FTGKC BlueSky, so that’s a great way to get her takes. 

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