What I miss about Sporting Kansas City: A commentary

As I sit here weeks after Sporting Kansas City’s 2024 season has completed – in my Sporting Kansas City sweatpants and an 816 t-shirt – I am saddened, still. And I have become something I don’t want to be: cynical. Yes, I have been a critical fan and pundit. But I have never been this jaded.

I love my side. I love being at Children’s Mercy Park (or Arrowhead) to see my team play.

I am an original ‘96er. A season ticket member since 2011 (though I missed few matches up until then). And I have been writing – and then podding – about Sporting Kansas City since 2004. I have gotten to know numerous Sporting players, staff, and fans in that time.

The truth is… the big picture (the macro stats) paint a dire picture for a once top-tier organization: missing the playoffs three of the last six seasons;  a .367 winning percentage (70-81-40) over the last six seasons; 49 losses in last three seasons – the 3^rd most in MLS; a 10-match winless streak in each of the last two seasons; ranking 25^th, 13^th, and 18^th in MLS in “goals for” the last three seasons; ranking 7^th, 10^th, and 4^th most in MLS in “goals against”; and finishing 22^nd, 15^th, and 27^th in the overall MLS standings the last three seasons.

The patterns of play. The atmosphere. The off-field decisions. Are stale and partly misguided.

How sad – How justified – it is that I am jaded.

Neil Young once sang, “It’s better to burn out than it is to rust.” (from “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)”, attributed to Jeff Blackburn). Has Sporting Kansas City burned out or rusted? To me, it’s all hydrated oxide.

But I am still here. And will be.

But I miss so much.

I miss…

The consistent wonder of efficient and productive team movement.

Anticipating what that special player is going to do next.

Players consistently winning micro moments.

When things like this were said about Sporting KC: “It’s the quality being shown from Inter Miami. The game is higher; it’s more congested. You have to have the technique; you have to have the ability to play the game two or three steps ahead.” Apple TV commentator Taylor Twellman, April 13, 2024.

Being confident that not only is a positive result possible, but likely.

That inner stirring of possibility.

“You pay for this, but they give you that.” Neil Young

I miss…

An environment that distracts opponents, brings them to their knees, as the electricity drives us to our toes.

Sharing thrills with those who get it.

Proudly showing the “Not soccer” people what they are missing.

A club anthem further uniting fans and players, one that distinguishes Kansas City from the pack.

A sustained ebullition of joy at matches.

Butts in seats. Sellouts. Actual sellouts.

Big playoff themed tifos.

When fans (the fair-weather AND the dedicated) were not alienated in the short term, certainly not over the long term.

My departed left and right-side Season Ticket Member neighbors.

“There’s more to the picture than meets the eye.”

I miss…

Sporting Kansas City being relevant on the Kansas City sports scene, relevant in their own league.

When barely making the playoffs or succeeding in a diluted US Open Cup weren’t the standards by which success – or an excuse for success – was judged.

An eager, at least semi-transparent, president who took fans along on the journey.

When my club could use boldness – almost brashness – instead of having to use excuses.

A Sporting Kansas City brass that hadn’t lost their way.

“And once you’re gone you can’t come back

When you’re out of the blue and into the black.”

Mostly, I Miss… being inspired by my club.

This club’s heart and soul have been rendered blushingly close to unrecognizable by even its more ardent supporters.

Paradoxically, then, a lack of inspiration must be our and the club’s inspiration.

“It’s better to burn out ‘cuz rust never sleeps.”

The recent roster moves and the words of Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes and, more so, the words of Sporting Director Mike Burns hold promise. They must deliver or they will be our “Johnny Rottens”.