Four key players to Sporting KC’s recent run of form

Sporting KC have won four of the last five matches, and three straight, across all competitions. The playoffs are still a farfetched dream, but it’s fun watching this team again! We even have a semifinal to look forward to now.

What has been the difference during Sporting KC’s recent run of form? We’re looking at four players who have stepped up and perhaps made the difference between dropping more points and wins.

Nemanja Radoja

Sporting KC’s midfield was being utterly dominated at points this season. Teams like Columbus Crew, the LA Galaxy, and Real Salt Lake ran through our midfield like they weren’t even there. But the turn in form from Nemanja Radoja has been absolutely vital to the recent success.

He was big in the rare 2-0 shutout against Austin FC, turned in a strong 90 minutes in the Open Cup win, and he was Man of the Match against San Jose with two assists. The Serbian was a beast in the midfield winning tackles (3/3), duels (6/7) and filling in passing lanes.

Let’s not forget, the 31-year-old was even able to snap Alan Pulido out of his funk with a beautiful pass to set up the winner.

The #6 is massively important to the Peter Vermes system. If Radoja is able to maintain this form, SKC will continue to find results.

Robert Voloder

The centerback position has been a rotating carrousel with injuries and poor form. But Robert Voloder has found himself eating up a lot of minutes as of late.

The 23-year-old has gone the distance (including 120 minutes vs FC Dallas) in five of the last six matches. A key to his turnaround has been finding consistency. Voloder has plenty of bright spots and proven to be capable in the past, but he was prone to mistakes which always seemed to result in a goal.

He’s limited those errors recently and turned in a strong performance against San Jose. The German won all his tackles, had three blocks, four clearances, three recoveries, and an interception. He also created a golden opportunity when he made one of his patented moves forward and sent a line breaking pass for Afrifa behind the defense.

Willy Agada (The Strikers)

I’m cheating a bit with this one and including both strikers. Willy Agada and Alan Pulido had both gone completely silent in the scoresheet and Sporting KC were truly sinking.

Look what happens when the guys specifically hired to score goals… actually do!

Agada, although notorious for spoiling big chances, was able to find the net three times in his last two starts. The guy simply has a knack for getting opportunities. Especially when contrasted next to the style of Alan Pulido. So, if he is able to convert at a higher rate (and cut down on passing to the other team) then Sporting KC will actually be dangerous.

Pulido finally got off the mark to score the winner vs San Jose. It was a carbon copy of the disallowed goal he scored earlier in the match, which hopefully helped him remember what scoring feels like. The 33-year-old Mexican looked snake bitten heading into this match. He’s a streaky player and we can only hope this is the beginning of one of his unstoppable scoring rampages.

Khiry Shelton

Yes, the guy who scored the own goal.

Woah… easy there! Your pitchforks and torches should be directed towards Daniel Sperry. But first, listen to his take on Khiry Shelton on Shades of Blue (embedded below).

Khiry has been put in a tough spot, literally a new position. But he’s slowly settling in and actually turned in some solid performances. The 31-year-old played all 120 minutes in the Open Cup over FC Dallas and received high praise from his manager for securing the win.

These recent wins aren’t enough to get excited about… yet. After all, San Jose has a firm grasp on the Wooden Spoon. But Sporting KC need everyone on the field to step up their performances, or this will be a very long season.

Hopefully, these four players can spark a turnaround in their teammates and they can find the good vibes which carried them into the playoffs last year.

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