Sporting KC’s Transfer Hangover and the Shocking Vlatko Departure

For the Glory KC is back with the 194th episode of the show!

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Sporting Kansas City played soccer this week, but the focus was mostly on the transfer window. Sadly, it was more about what didn’t get done than what did. Can we take back what we said last week about how the transfer rumors were more fun than the games? When it all falls through, it’s quite disappointing.

Where are the New Sporting KC Designated Players

Sheena and I talked about what did get done (two loans for teenagers within MLS) and what didn’t (Yann Gboho and Paulos Abraham, among others). Plus, the fallout and the press conference from David Lee. It was a robust discussion about the state of the team with a real mix of casual perspective and deeper analysis.

Rumored Sporting KC $20 Million Target Goes to the Premier League

Sporting KC also played a thrilling 4-3 game against FC Dallas that was unfortunately a loss. Taylor Calheira had a breakout performance and Capita found new life on the left side of the attack. There was lots to like, including a statistically dominant performance and a lot to dislike with four goals going into SKC’s net. Is it he defense? Is it goalkeeping? Sporting KC just taking their foot off the gas of their attack and press? Something else?

We also work through the long list of injured players for Sporting KC, which now includes Jake Davis, Zorhan Bassong, Ian James, Calvin Harris and a positive update for Owen Wolff.

In more positive news, the KC Current won another game! 2-1 over Bay FC on the road. The trouble is no one is talking about that since the team “mutually parted ways” with Vlatko Andonovski. What does it mean? Is he getting a new job? (Does he want to coach Sporting KC?) Sheena and I work through all the possibilities.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit a few more topics:

• MLS is back in the US Open Cup in full!

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro – 0:00
• Sporting KC – 4:36
• KC Current – 50:12
• Digital Crawl – 1:36:43

Upcoming Games

• KC Current vs. Orlando Pride, FRI, Sept 11 at 7:00PM CST
• Sporting KC vs. LAFC, SAT, Sept 12 at 7:30PM CST
• SKC II vs. LAFC 2, SUN, Sept 13 at 7:00PM

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they’ll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron. 

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