Podcasts
What does Sporting KC do with Khiry Shelton?
Sporting KC lose and we try to decide who to blame. Themselves? The refs? Khiry Shelton? Peter Vermes? Plus, USMNT and KC Current content!
For the Glory KC is back with the 39th episode of the show!
On this week’s episode, Sporting Kansas City let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers to beat a depleted Los Angeles FC team at Children’s Mercy Park. There is plenty of blame to go around, between the referees, Khiry Shelton, missed chances and ultimately Peter Vermes.
Not sticking just to Kansas City soccer, we discuss the United States Men’s National Team and their epic CONCACAF Nations League wins over the last week. First defeating Mexico 3-0 in a wild, at times horrifically handled, game. Then, with another shutout, but this time over Canada 2-0 to claim the trophy in a much more competitive game.
Finally, the Kansas City Current gives us highs and lows from the week with a big 4-0 pounding of the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL Challenge Cup before blowing a 2-0 lead against the USWNT filled Washington Spirit who come all the way back to win 2-3 in Debinha’s World Cup sendoff game. I have to ask the question, is it time to blow it all up in the front office and coaching staff? Plus, a rumor came out (apparently via an agent, though the Tweets don’t make that clear) that multiple KC Current players have asked for trades.
More on the #KCCurrent trade requests.
I wonder if this means players like Curran, Winebrenner, etc., who are further down the depth chart? Especially as more midfielders come back from injury.#KCBaby https://t.co/QBIEEzfYvW
— Chad Smith (@PlayFor90) June 19, 2023
Here is a quick rundown of topics (and approximate start times):
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- Sporting KC collapse versus LAFC – 4:12
- USMNT – Berhalter hired again – 34:39
- And the US Stop Mexico – 40:14
- The KC Current Win and Lose – 56:45
- Digital Crawl – 1:04:56
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The temporary intro/outro music is by Kristian Leo and is from the song “Ride it Like You Mean It.”
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KC World Cup News, SKC Rumors and KC Current Disappointments
What are Sporting KC’s Biggest Areas of Opportunity from Last Season?
What Model Should Women’s Teams Use?
The simple fact is, there’s nothing Sporting can do about Shelton. He can sit on the bench and collect a paycheck until 2026, or he can play. But there’s no buying him out until after the season. And that’s a roster spot paid well over the wrong side of over half a million for a player who’s production is statistically and visually bottom 10% of the league.
Blaming him for being a lousy right back that didn’t move with his line on an offside trap seems pretty easy though. I’m sure he’ll be a shitty keeper too, but both (oh, yes, it’s coming) will be Vermes’ fault, not Shelton’s.
I don’t necessarily put it all on Khiry. Do I think he should be on this team, absolutely not. But, as a human being I don’t blame him. He’s an athlete who’s going to actively look for the best position financially and actively he can. If you’re him, how do you not take a raise at the team that has backed you for years and you “know” the system?
It’s on Peter at this point. He’s constantly backed Khiry into no win situations the last few years. From singing his praises as an underutilized 9 that was going to surprise people last year, to saying Khiry should antagonize the crowd when he made a sitter. He’s constantly put Khiry in a position where he’s built up to be torn down by fans just so he doesn’t have to admit he is wrong, like time and time again. I understand Johnny is working back to the team, and tzionis is out of town. But, again, it’s the adherence to his game plan that at x min Johnny will come in. X min Khiry will come in. Khiry had no business coming in chasing a goal for points. When he came in on the wing he just spills ball after ball to the defense, and then Peter gets fooled by a cameo at right back in a game that was in garbage time to think it was a great move to put him there. He essentially tried to plug Khiry into the Zusi role, when he can’t cross the ball and isn’t a goal threat outside of the box. He also can’t defend as well. Of course it wasn’t going to end well.
With that said, I think at the least you have to find a loan for him. Fans need a break, and I’m sure he gets tired of hearing the boos and social media chatter. I sat in the south stand this game, and while the subs were warming up it looked like people in the crowd were razzing him and Khiry was responding while the rest of the guys just looked down and went through warm ups. Then Khiry went out and gave another spectacular Khiry performance and he looked dejected at the end when the team did the walk around. Enough is enough, even if it’s the team paying whatever wages it takes to facilitate a move, you gotta just wipe your hands as another bad signing (Uri, sweat) and at least give him time away for a bit.
Very well said. It’s not even fun for me to hate on him anymore because if PV had been using him correctly all these years (as a depth piece) I think we’d all love him. At this point, poor Kirb is so jaded he doesn’t even work hard for the entire 15 to 20 he’s on the pitch anymore. It’s just sad.
I feel bad saying anything bad about Shelton. However, any negative thoughts I have are about his soccer abilities, not him as a person. He seems like a genuine guy. It felt easier when I was critical of Ben Sweat because he rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t feel that way about Shelton. He’s done so much for the community. Plus, I think back to the home opener when I saw him signing autographs for a good 45 minutes after the game. The kids loved meeting him. I appreciate him as a person, and I hate that I don’t have a warm-fuzzy feeling about him as a player.
He either needs to be released at the end of the season or be loaned out to another team. I don’t envy any professional sports star. You can go from being at the top of your game to the most hated player quickly. I can’t imagine the toll it takes on your mental health. Also, not saying he’s a top player.
I’d love to understand the logic behind his contract. There’s also something to be said for someone who can play different positions but hasn’t mastered any of them. Cam Duke is also in this boat. They are a band-aid, not a solid option. They are masters of no position, and I’m not sure they make quality backup players. It feels like a cheap strategy, which is fine if Shelton was on a minimum salary. He makes more than some of the starters, which is crazy!