Football Season Guide

Sporting Kansas City endured another poor campaign last season as they just about managed to hold on for a place in the playoffs by finishing fifth in the Western Conference after collecting four points less than their previous campaign. Their poor form continued in the playoffs where they were knocked out at the first hurdle itself by eventual MLS Cup winners Seattle Sounders. It was the third straight season that Kansas failed to progress past the Knockout Round in the playoffs and coach Peter Vermes has reacted by embarking on a serious overhaul of the roster as he looks for a more sustainable challenge both in the Western Conference as well as the playoffs. A number of players who were in the first team picture last season have left the club including Jacob Peterson who had slowly been establishing himself as a regular fixture down the flanks over the last couple of seasons. Brad Davis and Paulo Nagamura both retired at the end of last season while Chance Myers, Justin Mapp and Nuno Andre Coelho have also left after the club decided not to renew their contracts. With regards to new arrivals, Kansas have brought in Gerso Fernandes as a Designated Player and the midfielder is expected to partner Dom Dwyer and Graham Zusi in the three-pronged attack. Benny Feilhaber, Roger Espinoza and Soni Mustivar are expected to remain the first choice midfield options for Vermes but the arrival of Ilie Sanchez could provide some serious competition for the trio. Jimmy Medranda impressed for Kansas last season playing at left back and the midfielder could start the new campaign in the starting lineup while there is not much change in the defense for Vermes' side with Saad Abdul-Salaam, Matt Besler and Ike Opara holding down remaining three spots in the defense where Kansas do have a solid depth with Kevin Ellis, Erik Palmer-Brown, Seth Sinovic and Igor Juliao providing pretty good options for Vermes. Kansas have made a couple of good additions to the roster but are still lacking a big name player who could carry the team to the next level though they do have enough quality to make it to the playoffs once again this season.