Wooden Spoon “not really our main concern” says Bartlett

On the latest episode of Shades of Blue, we’re desperately tracking the MLS Wooden Spoon race in which Sporting KC’s Jacob Bartlett says is “not really our main concern.”

The signing of Andre Luiz sparked some optimism among SKC faithful that a strong finish could pull them out of last place. Somewhere this club has never finished before. The only original MLS club who can say that. So, for many fans, that’s the only thing that matters as the season comes to a close.

But last week, defender Jacob Bartlett told the media the Wooden Spoon and this season is not the priority. He says they’re more focused on the future.

Yes, this season is lost. Yes, the Wooden Spoon is made up. No, it doesn’t technically mean anything.

But the players and coaches and entire staff should be making it clear that this team is going to fight for every inch. The fans who spend their time and money deserve as much. Forget the Wooden Spoon ‘title’, it’s still last place. It should be a focus and a stated goal to scratch and claw and climb out of last place to get some redemption in a tough time.

Saturday’s loss to Real Salt Lake was a real gut punch to those hopes. But as deflating as it was, Sporting KC have a pretty favorable schedule to wrap things up. Montreal will have to go through some tough teams.

SKC are not 3 points (and an insurmountable goal differential) back from Montreal with four games remaining.

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