Sporting KC’s Most Needed Moves & a Fan Q&A

For the Glory KC is back with the 109th episode of the show.

It’s been quiet on the Sporting Kansas City news front, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t SKC related topics to discuss. We take a look at the biggest needs for Sporting KC in 2025. Obviously, the first topic of conversation was around the roster itself. There are just 19 players signed for 2025, with the Ian James announcement still pending.

• FWDs: Pulido, Salloi, Agada, Afrifa, Vargas, Thommy?
• MIDs: Radoja, Davis, Memo, Bassong
• DEFs: Rosero, Fernandez, Voloder, Leibold, Ndenbe, Shelton, James*
• GKs: Pulskamp, Schewe

Beyond the roster itself, there are issues around fan experience, front office building and more to be accomplished before boots hit the field for the season.

Then, we switch gears and take listener questions. One big theme was “trust” in ownership and the coaching staff to lead Sporting KC forward. Are the owners truly investing? Is Mike Burns right for the job? How has Peter Vermes remained in charge when so many other teams have moved on from their coaches? (We came up with 10 coaching changes this offseason already off the top of our heads).

Then we get a little broader and talk careers in journalism/broadcasting and the state of club soccer in Kansas City.

There was no KC Current news this week but, in the Q&A we did get a Vlatko Andonovski question, so they still made an appearance.

In the Digital Crawl, we touch on a few topics, including:

• KC Comets season started perfectly!
• MLS Playoffs
• Ilie Sanchez and Kei Kamara are without a team
• Is the Leagues Cup format changing?
• USWNT results

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

• What are Sporting KC’s biggest Needs? – 5:28
• Listener Q&A – 36:11
• Digital Crawl – 1:25:17

We recently turned on “Listener Support.” Don’t feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and are a fan of the pod, we’d appreciate your donation.

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled dot 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.

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