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Can Sporting KC salvage this season?
It’s time for way-too-early playoff math!
Two games isn’t a streak, as Lou Brown tells us. So we shouldn’t get too excited yet. But with a tough double-game week ahead of us, the Shades of Blue Soccer Show is taking a realistic look at what exactly Sporting KC will need to do in order to make the playoffs. That’s right… it’s way-too-early playoff math!
Right now, you’ll be surprised at how possible it sounds. We’ve set a target of 31 points the rest of the season. But these two road games could land SKC in a much bigger hole. LAFC looks like the best team in MLS and they’ll be walking into a hostile environment with an absolutely rabid fanbase against St. Louis City SC.
How many points can we hope for this week?
The addition of Nemanja Radoja had a chain reaction in Sporting KC’s win over Minnesota United. Remi Walter was able to move up to his more natural position, changing the role of Erik Thommy, which freed up Dani Salloi, which led to a goal, an assist, and a Team of the Week nod for the Hungarian. Jake Davis continues to look good at right back, but when is Kayden Pierre returning to the field?
Thad gives his Top 5 Training Warriors.
Ownership never responded or addressed the letter from the KC Cauldron. It seems the conversation with Sam McDowell of the KC Star will serve as the club’s blanket comments about Peter Vermes & the state of the team. Although the letter was never mentioned and many concerns were not addressed. But what exactly should they say?
The Peter Vermes discussion continues. The team will need to show a lot more than two matches in order for Vermes to win back some of those fans.
More content on the way for YouTube, so make sure you’re subscribed over there. We’ve got timestamps for you to find the conversation you want.
Find the KC Soccer Journal wherever you get your podcasts. Please subscribe, rate, & review! You can follow Cody @ThatCodyTho, Thad @TheBackpost, and Robert @SpKCLife.
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Will someone at KCSJ be writing about that Star interview? Some of us don’t have paid access (not close enough to KC to justify a sub) and so it keeps getting mentioned but I have no idea what was actually said.
Interesting if it’s pay walled now. I read it for free.
The first time it was linked in an article here, I tried to click through and was blocked. That article (don’t know which one it was now) said that KCSJ would have more on the interview in a future piece, but I guess no one followed up. Not complaining, I know you all are busy, just mentioning it because I was looking forward to hearing someone’s analysis of the only response SKC apparently ever gave.
I am surprised vermes quotes weren’t mentioned, but I also can understand why since it wouldn’t change stances.
As far as an organizational response goes, the lack of validation is the biggest part. An interview that doesn’t even address the concerns listed from fans doesn’t cut it. A response would be something along the lines thanking fans for continued support and dedication while acknowledging concerns about on-field results not being up to the standard of SKC. Then going on to specifically address the game-day experience and either planned changes, renewed investment, or new partnerships. Even acknowledging the investment from Kansas and how that will be used would be something (like fixing the video as it consistently cuts out). The argyle events is tone deaf. The vip bar upgrade is tone deaf. Neither of those affect the everyday fan. A great step would be to plan a comprehensive survey from the Cauldron to pinpoint where improvements would be. Even just communicating a plan to address the concerns would indicate appreciation and acknowledgement of discontent from the fan base that contributes the most heavily to stadium atmosphere. I don’t think that is hard. I think that is leadership 101. The silence speaks volumes – especially after previous announcements.
I don’t think MNUFC was a good litmus test on turning the season around. Our biggest weakness is our defense and MNUFC is currently without an offense. Seattle was also severely hindered at midfield and left back. The underlying pattern of the past 5 years is more damning than what 2 games can undo. The only way for vermes to salvage this is a trophy – and it won’t be the supporters shield.
That and Shelton’s salary. Enough said.
Ah yeah sorry about that. We realized right after that we missed talking about the Vermes speech.
Agreed on the response. Something with the main idea of thanking them for their support and then mix in the other stuff. It would least be SOMETHING, and an acknowledgement they hear the concerns. Because right now it’s just like they’ve ignored the Cauldron.
Regarding the response from the organization to the Cauldron Letter. I think that both responses show a measure of arrogance towards the fans. Ownership responding by subtweet through the media. Vermes slapping his revenge card to the Cauldron. As if the fans don’t have the right to expect better.
Two wins changes nothing. We’re still the Wooden Spoon. We’re out of the Open Cup to a rival in a game there was no excuse for losing. The teams above us have game(s) in hand. And I would be surprised if 40pts is actually enough. So this is not some “I told you” moment.
Look at AC Milan’s fans this past weekend. They lose to Spezia 2-0, and then the players, and coach, stood and took a berating from the Ultras who traveled. Now, they weren’t violent. But they were impassioned. Saying the club wasn’t good enough. And Milan is not having a disastrous season. Not as good as last year. But not brutal.
They took it and everyone applauded at the end. That’s what should happen between a team and the fans at a club. There should be accountability. Not recrimination. Not this arrogance that assumes because things were great 5 years ago we should accept this is good enough now.
Also, I’ll add another point. I don’t buy that KC’s market would hate it if the club went youth revolution. Vermes would hate it. So it doesn’t happen. And he goes win now. But the turning point on player development was when “The Core” was resigned for big money. Ever since then, Vermes has been trying to plug the pieces around them to Win Now. He’s failed. But the choice to go All-In on the moment was his. Not the KC Market’s. And he’s continued that upside-down roster construction even after the players who drove it are no longer starters.
So am I still Vermes Out? Yes. Will I eat crow if the team goes on a tear? Yes. Gladly. But with this caveat: Sneaking into the playoffs in 8th or 9th places and getting bombed by LAFC or Seattle in the 1st round proper is not a successful season. It’s another failure. If this team is going all-in on winning this year with Vermes and this group, then there needs to be a deep playoff run. Assuming they make it.