Podcasts
Two young defenders are the key to Sporting KC’s hot streak
The Shades of Blue podcast on Sporting KC’s 4-1 win over STL and the rise of Jake Davis & Logan Ndenbe.
Just a few months ago, the starting outside backs for Sporting KC were Graham Zusi (37) and Ben Sweat (32). The aging Zusi, while still serviceable, struggled with fitness and Ben Sweat was jettisoned released back in April.
(Sweat Be Gone really works!)
But Sporting KC have turned things around since those dark days. They’ve now won eight of the last 11 matches since returning from the Leagues Cup break. One of the keys to this hot streak has been the progression of Jake Davis and Logan Ndenbe.
On this week’s Shade of Blue, we talk about the two young fullbacks and the impact they’ve had over the last month. The show takes you through the 4-1 smackdown Sporting KC gave to St. Louis City SC and puts you in the stands with their cold, wet, and sad fans. Darth Vermes works in mysterious ways and he’s getting credit for a tactical shift. Plus, we give a full preview of Game 2 of the MLS Cup Playoffs this weekend.
Are you making any lineup or tactical changes for Sporting KC on Sunday?
Find the KC Soccer Journal wherever you get your podcasts. Please subscribe, rate, & review! You can yell at Cody @ThatCodyTho, Thad @TheBackpost, and Robert @SpKCLife.
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that Meg from Logan was on lowen I think.
Also, I agree with David about khiry.
Regarding Luis Marin, he may have been homesick, but I’m 100% certain I’ve heard Vermes tell a story about that benching. Marin goes into his office and says he came here and he wants to play or leave. Vermes says he wants him to sit for a few games and watch, and Marin immediately asks to be moved. So they moved him almost immediately.
I’m pretty sure it was on Soren Petro’s 810 show this year (maybe last year?). I’m not a sports radio guy but I do listen to those recorded monthly interviews. I was surprised that Vermes was so explicit about what happened. He’s usually so close to the vest.
I do like those interviews too. I just had a thought that I wish it was a podcast… and it is. So that’ll help me not miss these more often.
I’ll @ David in the comments, I still was frustrated by Khiry’s performance. He’s not a DP for sure, but he’s overpaid for the value he brings. But also, I do agree that he had an above average game for himself overall.
As far as the PV Out position goes, I agree with Robert that my take on it is because of things over the last 5-7 seasons that he’s done as both coach and sporting director. If he gets us past STL (and I dearly hope he does) I’m willing to drop it and eat whatever that weird bird was that David talked about. I still don’t know if I’ll fully trust him, but I’ll at least admit that he was able to pull something good out of this season when I didn’t think he could.
Ortolan!