What are Sporting KC’s Biggest Areas of Opportunity from Last Season?

With the MLS off-season underway, Sporting Kansas City (SKC) has some work to do to build out the roster for the 2026 MLS season. Currently, Sporting KC has 15 players under contract and will look to improve the squad’s ceiling and floor in key areas. However, before finding players to do so, we must reckon with the offensive and defensive fractures at the forefront of last season’s struggles. From the backline to the forward line, I explore the areas SKC most need to improve on.

Where did SKC struggle this year?

Let’s examine the areas where Sporting KC struggled the most this past year. Their struggles were most evident in breaking up play, aerial duels, and taking on players.

Breaking up play

Sporting Kansas City gave up the most goals (70) in the MLS last season. Watching the games and looking at the numbers, it’s easy to see why. One reason is that SKC had trouble breaking up the opposing team’s rhythm. In short, teams often were allowed to play their way against Sporting with very little resistance. This led to Kansas City giving up the third most key passes (or passes that lead to shots) (393) and the third most carries into the penalty box (193). I’d argue this issue was a major function of their inability to be proactive defensively and break up play in the midfield.

The table above displays trickle down effects in not being able to break up play. The team did not position itself well to block passes, so teams easily passed through the midfield, forcing Sporting defenders out of position to tackle, and ultimately giving up crucial chances and goals for the opposition. Sound familiar? If we are to improve, the midfield has to be better at breaking up play and be harder to match up against.

Winning aerial duels

Perhaps one of the most frustrating parts of Sporting this season was the constant loss of aerial duels. In general, Sporting has the height to be better in aerial duels with players at multiple positions over 6’0, including Jansen Miller, and all his CB partners, Jacob Bartlett in the defensive midfield, and Daniel Salloi at winger. However, no one was particularly strong in the air, and the numbers bear that out. For example, Sporting KC gave up the most corner kick goals (11) in the MLS this season. Now this stat also contends with the goalkeeper’s command of the box, but it has just as much to do with losing aerial duels in the box.

The table above tells you all you need to know about Sporting KC’s aerial ability. It just isn’t good enough. Note that aerial duels are not just a defensive weapon but can be incredibly effective offensively as well on corner kicks, crosses into the opposition’s box, or even hold-up play. If Sporting is to improve in this area, they will need to sign players not just with size, but with the ability to maximize their size both offensively and defensively.

Creating Opportunities from take-ons

Simply put, last year Sporting KC were not good at creating chances in 1-v-1 opportunities. This type of dynamic play was once the hallmark of Johnny Russell, who unbalanced defenders and created space for others to receive the ball in dangerous areas. This team lacked that dynamic play last season despite the new acquisitions.

Oddly, last season, Sporting KC were stuck in a weird contrast where they would progressively carry the ball (ranked 3^rd in MLS in progressive carries) but rarely took on an opponent (ranked 24^th in take-ons attempted). This meant their play was predictable to opponents, who would often force SKC to break them down with crosses or passes outside the penalty box.

I also think this is the major reason winger Stephen Afrifa was brought back, as he ranked in the 99% in both take-ons attempted and successful take-ons in the 2024 MLS season. To put this in perspective, in 2024, Afrifa had the most successful take-ons with the least number of touches (394) and minutes (795) in the MLS. He even ranked first in take-ons on the team in 2024. Regardless of who is brought in, this team needs a balance between possession and 1-v-1 creativity.

What do you think? Are there other areas where Sporting KC needs to improve? Comment below!