Sporting Kansas City spent the second half of the 2014 season on an epic slide that finally and mercifully ended with a first round playoff loss to the New York Red Bulls.
There’s a lot of blame to go around, to be sure. Injuries, for one. National team call-ups. Fatigue from playing in so many different competitions. Poor goalkeeping. Lack of continuity from constantly juggling the lineup.
So it’s no surprise that Sporting has been cleaning house over the last few weeks, addressing their failings from 2014 and rebuilding the roster.
Let’s do a recap:
First and foremost, KC boss Peter Vermes addressed the team’s biggest need by cutting
loose the #1 and #2 goalkeepers, Eric Kronberg and Andy Gruenebaum. Kronberg had an awful year in his first effort at being a starter after spending around 8 years as KC’s backup. Mid-way through the season, it was obvious that Kronberg was a lifetime backup for a reason, and his questionable decision-making repeatedly doomed Sporting, all the way to their final loss against New York when he got caught in no-man’s-land on the cross that led to the ridiculously easy game-winner from Bradley Wright-Phillips.
I’m a little more surprised about Gruenebaum. I thought he was much more solid than Krony, though he didn’t get as many chances. I think he would still be a decent backup for KC, but maybe this means that Jon Kempin is almost ready for real minutes.
Next on the chopping block was KC’s favorite Frenchie, Aurelien Collin. Word is he wanted Matt Besler money after the OP native signed a DP contract this season. And I can understand why. Collin was the MLS Cup MVP last year when KC won it all. He was a two time MLS All Star and Best XI selection.
But once Besler signed his deal, the writing was on the wall that Collin would have to go. KC just couldn’t spend that much money on its two central defenders, and a willing trader stepped up in expansion side Orlando City.
Plus, considering that Collin was out of contract with Sporting anyway, I think Vermes got 
some pretty good value for him – allocation money and “future considerations,” which turned out to be Jalil Anibaba, a central defender from the Seattle Sounders who was selected by Orlando in the expansion draft and then immediately shipped to KC.
Anibaba is a solid, athletic defender, and a guy that Sporting actually wanted to draft back in 2011. He was taken one spot before KC was on the clock, so Vermes plucked CJ Sapong instead. Now, Vermes gets what he really wanted all along.
Speaking of CJ, he’s gone, too.
After a productive first few seasons that saw the athletic forward win rookie of the year honors, CJ really regressed in 2014. He never seemed to fit in very well and was used mostly as a target for crosses. And his goal scoring really took a hit. I think this move is good for all involved. KC gets a first round draft pick from the Philadelphia Union, and Sapong gets a fresh start on the east coast, closer to Virginia where he is from.
Clearing even more room up top, Sporting basically just cut loose young striker Soony Saad on a free transfer. Though possessing a rocket shot, Saad never fit in all that well. And now he’s heading to Thailand of all places.
So, right now, it seems that Sporting will look quite a bit different next year, with at a minimum a new starting keeper, central defender, and probably winger. The SuperDraft is in January, and Vermes has traditionally been one of the best in the league at evaluating college talent. I wish I could say the same of his DP evaluations.
Also, don’t forget that many think Roger Espinoza is headed back to KC. He would certainly help fill the gaping hole that Uri left when he headed to Portugal mid-way through last season. And maybe force Paulo Nagamura out, which would be a good thing considering his high salary and lack of production.
But here’s the real question:
If Sporting starts 2015 as they ended 2014, will they keep selling out Sporting Park?
They’ve sold a boatload of season tickets, but are KC soccer fans to the point where they’ll show up to support a loser? Remember, since the re-branding and new stadium, Sporting has been one of the best in the league. What happens if this truly is a rebuilding year?
I guess we’ll find out if Kansas Cityt really is the Soccer Capital of America.
That is the big question, for sure. But, considering they sold out all 2015 season tickets back in October and have a season ticket waiting list (which I’m on), I’m guessing they’ll be fine if next year is a rebuilding year. If it goes beyond 2015, then all bets are off, I think.
Yep, the team definitely needs an upgrade between the pipes. I knew it was going to be tough to replace the generally solid Danish goalkeeper Sporting had during its championship season.
If Espinoza does come back, it won’t be before July. This club will not pay one dime for a player they own the MLS rights to and his English club seems unlikely to give him away for free.
And you are so right about the DP business…SHOCKINGLY both expansion teams passed on a chance to get Bieler. I was disappointed to learn SKC still has him under contract.
Any thought as to why Orlando should want Collin over the cheaper and just about the same age Anibaba?
Actually, Anibaba is a couple years younger than Collin – 26 vs. 28. I kind of wondered the same thing. I wouldn’t go so far as to say SKC upgraded at the central defender position, but they don’t really lost much in trading Collin for Anibaba.