Sporting KC
Sporting KC acquires defender from Liga MX
Montes should provide some needed help on the backline
Sporting Kansas City has acquired defender Alán Montes on loan from Necaxa in Liga MX. Sporting KC has an option for Sporting to exercise a permanent transfer at the end of 2025 for the 24-year-old Mexican center back. Montes has scored four goals for Necaxa in 57 matches. Montes will help shore up an inconsistent defense for Sporting KC, which has been a significant weakness, especially in the first half of games. Montes will wear number 23 for Sporting KC, the same as he did for Necaxa.
Montes was a regular starter for Necaxa from 2023 through the fall of 2024, but his time fell off in the spring, only making a few appearances in the Clausura. Fernando Gaga is the new manager for Necaxa, and it looks like Montes was not in his plans. He was loaned to Monterrey and the club’s second team, Raya2 for the 2021-22 season before returning to Necaxa.
The Hermosillo, Mexico native is listed at 6’4″ and appears to be good in the air offensively and defensively. Three of his four goals for Necaxa have been headers.
The transaction is pending the final results of his entrance physical as well as the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 visa. Once Montes clears those standard steps, he will likely slot into a starting role quickly in order to be evaluated for SKC’s decision to exercise the option. Below is a comparison of Montes and Sporting KC defender Joaquin Fernandez.
When looking at his goals, it appears that Montes already possesses the 2025 version of Sporting Kansas City’s DNA and their second-half comebacks. All four of his goals for Necaxa have come in the second half, two of them after the ninetieth minute. One to level the match and one to win it. In this highlight, Montes rises over the Club Tijuana (Xolos) defense to head home a game-tying goal.
In this one, he uses his right foot to extend the lead.
With Fernanez, Rosero and Voloder out of contract after this season, picking up a young center back with potential on loan looks like good business, depending on price, for this season and the future.
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Hopefully that got this center back right!!!!
Hopefully. At least it is a loan so they can say no if he does not fit.
Good point!!
Dang i was hoping this was the starting Mexico Montes
It would be great to have a young center back pairing that we can hold onto for a long time. I’m hopeful his loan works out in our favor
Seems like a very low risk flier to get some depth when Fernandes and Rosero and Voloder are all inevitably hurt at the same time.
However, a tall CB who should just be entering his prime and cant get a game in MX? If it turns out to be anything more than this short term loan, I’ll be mildly shocked.
I don’t understand why KZ isn’t giving Ian James the job for the rest of the season. See if he could be the long term guy. This season is a wash anyway…may as well go full bore into planning for next year.
While I generally agree with your sentiment, KZ is coaching for his job. So, while it might be in the best interest of the team long-term to give Ian James those minutes, it might not be great for Kerry.
That said, what they’ve been doing hasn’t been working in recent weeks, so trying James, or a back three, or something else, seems worth a shot. Who knows, they may find something that works and really get rolling. They have nothing to lose since they’ve been losing more frequently lately anyways.