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Wicky must stop the bleeding
As ugly results continue pouring in, Head Coach Raphael Wicky has to prove he can get something, anything out of this roster.
The ugly results keep pouring in for Sporting KC and Head Coach Raphael Wicky must show he can stop the bleeding. This week on the Shades of Blue Soccer Show, we’re talking about Wicky’s start in KC, the front office, and the true problems with the club.
The recent 6-0 dismantling reached new heights of frustration. SKC scored a team own goal in which three of their players were the last touch the ball. Truly and utterly embarrassing.
Expectations were low. Very low. But now Wicky has to prove that he can move the needle in some way, or move over for someone who can.
No, he isn’t the entire problem. No, this roster won’t be great with a different coach. But a certain point, the club has to show fans there’s a minimum standard which is acceptable around here.
Thad tells us that the finger can be pointed above Raphael Wicky as well. Plus, Sporting KC as an organization are in a bit of limbo at the moment. Peter Mallouk was announced as a new owner and he comes with new money to spend, but he’s yet to actually take over.
If it continues at this rate and SKC decide to make a change, they wouldn’t necessarily need to stop everything for a big Head Coach hunt right now. Dom Kinnear is sitting right there on the technical staff. He’s got two decades of experience in Major League Soccer, including two stints as an interim manager.
It’s only been 11 games. Raphael Wicky deserves a fair shot.
But over the last five games, Sporting KC has given up 18 goals and scored just one. That is simply not sustainable. If he doesn’t show he can get something out of this roster, you have to wonder just how long Wicky has left.
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From my fan’s perspective, I think Wicky’s system is fairly clear. As beautiful as it can be to play out of the back as he seems to prefer, I don’t think the club has the pieces in place to make that happen. It may be past time to make an adjustment that the club can handle in its present form. Maybe this can be revisited with an additional influx in talent. But for now, I think a shift is in order.
There have been a couple of games that I really liked what I saw from Wicky. It would be a lot of fun to watch the club build out of the back. I hope he gets what he needs to make that happen.