Season Preview: SPORTING KANSAS CITY

Welcome to my 7th annual MLS Season Preview, this season with a dedicated preview for each club. Lets get stuck in with Sporting KC...



IN:
M Bernardo Anor (12/8/14 - trade from Columbus)
D Jalil Anibaba (12/12/14 - trade from Orlando City)
M James Marcelin (12/16/14 - free)
F Krisztian Nemeth (12/18/14 - free)
GK Luis Marin (12/18/14 - free)
GK Tim Melia (12/23/14 - waivers)
M Roger Espinoza (1/6/15 - free)
M Connor Hallisey (1/15/15 - SuperDraft)
D Saad Abdul-Salaam (1/15/15 - SuperDraft)
M Servando Carrasco (1/27/15 - trade from Houston)
M Soni Mustivar (2/13/15 - free)
D Amadou Dia (2/18/15 - SuperDraft)
F James Ansu Rogers (2/25/15 - SuperDraft)
D Marcel de Jong (3/2/15 - free)


OUT:
M Antonio Dovale (11/25/14 - option declined)
M Michael Kafari (11/25/14 - option declined)
M Victor Munoz (11/25/14 - option declined)
M Lawrence Olum(11/25/14 - contract terminated)
F Soony Saad(11/25/14 - out of contract)
D Christian Duke (11/25/14 - option declined)
D Aurelien Collin (12/8/14 - traded to Orlando City)
F C.J. Sapong (12/8/14 - traded to Philadelphia)
M Sal Zizzo (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft to NYCFC)
G Eric Kronberg (12/12/14 - Re-Entry Stage 1 Draft)
GK Andy Gruenebaum (12/12/14 - Re-Entry Stage 1 Draft)
F Claudio Bieler (12/31/14 - out of contract)
M Martin Steuble (12/31/14 - out of contract)
D Igor Juliao (12/31/14 - loan expired)
M James Marcelin (2/24/15 - waived)
M Jorge Claros (2/24/15 - mutual termination)


MANAGER: Peter Vermes



After a season disrupted by the World Cup, in which several star players came back to Kansas City looking gassed, Sporting KC backed their way into the playoffs, and exited with a whimper. Now refreshed, (though Gold Cup may be another disruption) and newly in the Western Conference, KC looks to push back on and compete for the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup.

Up front, Dom Dwyer returns to lead the attack, with newly acquired Bernardo Anor on the left, and Kristin Nemeth on the right completing the front three. With the power and nose for goal of Dwyer, the pace filled skill of Anor and in particular Nemeth, the KC attack seems to be its best of all time.

In the midfield, with the additions of Anor and Nemeth to the front three, Graham Zusi has been freed up to embark upon the number 10 role behind Dwyer. Benny Feilhaber returns, as does former KC and Wigan man Roger Espinoza, a sure miss the past two seasons. While depth may be a question mark for KC all over the pitch, those who do start are a versatile bunch, capable of flowing from one role to another should the need arise. The thought of a new DP arriving in July to bolster depth and push on in some form of attacking midfield role, could push KC to new heights.

Defensively, Matt Besler returns to pair with Ike Opara, replacing the departed Collin. In the fullback positions, Seth Sinovic returns, as does Tommy Myer on the right, though with Myer struggling for fitness in the early season, Ellis or Peterson could find themselves filling in.

In goal, Luis Marin arrives, with many believing he could be the best keeper in MLS. That remains to be seen, but with a solid veteran defense in front of him, as well as the protection they receive from the returning Espinoza, Marin may not need to even be that good.

Overall, KC looks to be back on track and ready to push on. Even in a difficult Western Conference, look for KC to compete for the Western title, as well as the Supporter's Shield all season long.


2014 Eastern Conference Finish: 5th
Predicted 2015 Western Conference Finish: 2nd


Thank you for reading my season preview for Sporting KC, feel free to check out any or all of the other club previews, and as always, remember, MLS Matters.