SKC Avoid the Wooden Spoon: Immediate Reactions

For the Glory KC is back with the 203rd episode of the show!

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Sporting Kansas City did it! They avoided finishing dead last. The only original MLS team to avoid that distinction for now 31 seasons and counting. It’s weird to be happy about being 29th in the standings, but it’s the little things (and it doesn’t save a terrible season). We decided to go After Dark style with our immediate reactions to the “high” of coming in 29th.

Before Sporting KC even took the field, they needed CF Montreal to lose. And they did. Again. Thankfully the Vancouver Whitecaps dispatched them fairly easily, though it was touch and go before the Caps poured it on. Then the weight was on Sporting KC to get the job done. They needed to win a game, something they had failed to do in their previous seven tries. But on the back of an Andre Luiz drawn and converted PK, the defense held on for a shutout and San Diego FC lost 1-0 in their home stadium.

Sheena and I talk through some milestones, moments from the game that went well and were a bit sketchy, including the new partnership between Owen Wolff and Lasse Berg Johnsen, Taylor Calheira’s early injury, Justin Reynolds late heroics and so many missed chances!

The conversation weaved between the game and the season on the whole. Sporting KC still ended up with the most goals allowed in league history, but they avoided the worst goal differential. That naturally led to a conversation about guys who should and shouldn’t be here and a coach that may still be out of a job, but we were divided on Rapha Wicky.

The Kansas City Current pulled off something they couldn’t in 2025. They won a playoff game. It wasn’t without controversy. The game winning goal came on a penalty kick that is probably a foul, but one that often goes uncalled. 

And that wasn’t the only controversial decision. Angel City FC fans were up in arms about missed penalties, primarily the possible DiBernardo handball. However, they should probably be more upset about a play the broadcast didn’t even replay. Regardless, KC advance to face the winner of Gotham FC and the Seattle Reign.

Give the show a listen and we’ll dive into these topics and of course go off topic since it’s For the Glory KC After Dark!

In the Digital Crawl, we hit two more topics:

• College Soccer and a very weird vote
• MLS Cup Playoffs and hate watching

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro – 0:00
• Sporting KC – 1:29
• KC Current – 1:03:01
• Digital Crawl – 1:30:46

Upcoming Games

• UMKC Roos vs. St. Thomas, WED, Nov 11th at 6:00PM CT (Finals on the weekend)
• KC Current vs. winner of Gotham/Seattle
• USMNT vs Haiti (Nations League)
  • Road: SAT, Nov 14th at 3:30PM
  • Home: TUE, Nov 17th at 6:00PM
• MLS goes into an international break before the playoffs

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. 

You can find For the Glory KC wherever you get your podcasts. 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 Podcasts, it’s much easier. 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 FTGKC BlueSky, so that’s a great way to get her takes. 

You can follow us me on BlueSky (@ChadCSmith). Also, you can find the podcast on other social media platforms: @ForTheGloryKC on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook or you can email us at ForTheGloryKC at Gmail.