The Opportunity Cost of Pulido’s Deal and Two Sketchy Wins

For the Glory KC is back with the 51st episode of the show!

On this week’s episode, Sporting Kansas City absolutely pull a smash and grab on Minnesota United and stole all three points on the road (just their second road win of the season). Sheena and I give our thoughts on the game with some behind the scenes press conference items snuck in. We also had to talk about if Andreu Fontas should have been sent off for a couple challenges once he was on a yellow card.

Here is the potentially missed second yellow against Fontas. Reynoso would have been in on goal and Fontas clearly grabs at him while on a yellow already. #SportingKC #MINvSKC pic.twitter.com/Q0Jk1cwdYC

— Chad Smith (@PlayFor90) September 17, 2023

Perhaps bigger than the win (which was big!) is the news that Alan Pulido has signed a new three-year contract with the club through the 2026 season. We discuss the opportunity cost of the team getting another year older, a younger player not getting signed instead and what it means for Willy Agada and others on the forward line who may need a change in plans since Alan is here to stay (Sporting KC simply cannot keep everyone).

The KC Current did a little thievery themselves, with the help of the officials. They pulled off a 2-1 win on the formerly Supporters Shield leading San Diego Wave. But the game was full of controversy. Here are the two plays in question, neither of them led to penalty kicks for San Diego.

Not sure how Stine Ballisager gets away with this one on Alex Morgan. She gets the ball (I think) but she absolutely cleans her out. No PK. #KCBaby #SDvKC pic.twitter.com/tDSEV820vW

— Chad Smith (@PlayFor90) September 17, 2023

Looking back at the Del Fava PK review, it's probably not clear and obvious. From the angle behind the goal, it could hit her chest. My problem with @NWSL's use of VAR is they don't seem to have enough cameras to get it right. #KCBaby #SDvKC pic.twitter.com/0mOzE2JeOp

— Chad Smith (@PlayFor90) September 17, 2023

Also, we ask if the KC Current should tank for the number one pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. Finally, we get to the Digital Crawl where we discuss a bunch of KC Current stories, more on the Bruce Arena/New England Revolution saga, the weekly Messi update (Miami lost!) and ideas for offseason pods.

Here is a quick rundown of topics (and approximate start times):

• Sporting KC steal one in Minnesota – 4:01
• Alan Pulido signs a Long-Term Extension – 26:57
• KC Current win a sketchy one – 46:51
• Digital Crawl – 55:25

Upcoming Games

• KC Current have a break
• Sporting KC vs. Nashville SC – Wed. Sept 20th at 7:30 PM CST
• USWNT vs. South Africa – Thurs. Sept. 21st at 6:30 PM
• Sporting KC vs. Houston Dynamo – Sat. Sept 23rd at 7:30 PM
• SKC II vs. St. Louis City SC 2 – Sun. Sept 24th at 4:00 PM (Swope Soccer Village) – Decision Day
• USWNT again vs. South Africa – Sun. Sept 24th at 4:30 PM

You can find For the Glory KC wherever you get your podcasts. Just search “For the Glory KC” and be sure to subscribe! Here are some helpful links:

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Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast. Five-star ratings and reviews will help others find the pod. On Spotify you can review on the mobile app by clicking the three dots. On Apple, it’s much more straight forward. If it’s not quite five-star worthy yet, feel free to let us know in the comments or on Twitter (@PlayFor90 or @ForTheGloryKC) Sheena essentially runs our FTG Twitter, so that’s a great way to get her takes.

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The temporary intro/outro music is by Kristian Leo and is from the song “Ride it Like You Mean It.”

Transcript from Revoldiv available after about 24 hours. Click the link, then search “For the Glory KC” for a free transcription (or you can transcribe any podcast you’d like).