It’s a new era at One Sporting Way. After a legendary run under legendary coach Peter Vermes that brought an MLS Cup in 2013 and three U.S. Open Cup wins in 2012, 2015 and 2017, the last couple of seasons were filled with disappointment and despair for Sporting. Since their last playoff appearance in 2023, the team has failed to make the playoffs in the two seasons since. And in 2024, ownership finally had enough, letting Vermes go and undergoing a full-scale organizational rebuild. After their worst season in franchise history, finishing last in the Western Conference with 28 points, ownership hired former NYCFC general manager David Lee and accomplished Swiss head coach Raphaël Wicky to lead the team into a new era.
Coming into the season, Sporting are massive underdogs in the Western Conference. Coming off the worst season and not improving, can you blame people for overlooking them? After losing longtime starters Tim Leibold, Nemanja Radoja and Erik Thommy, Sporting KC has done absolutely nothing to improve, not even signing replacements for them. Coming into the season, which starts on Saturday, Feb. 21, Sporting has only filled 21 of their 30 spots on the roster, so chances may be coming for young players from the academy, such as 15-year old Zamir Loyo Reynaga, who could get called up from the reserve squad.
Fans should expect a young squad this season, but it won’t be for the best. Typically in MLS, the players who make the most impact are older veterans, such as the revered Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min, who lead Inter Miami and LAFC, respectively. Sporting’s current oldest player is 30-year old Daniel Salloi, who will don the captain’s armband this season. Otherwise, the average age of the squad is 24.2, one of the youngest in the league.
Little returns from last year’s squad, with the star attraction being Dejan Joveljić. The Serbian striker led last years’ dreadful attack with 18 goals and two assists. Acquired from the LA Galaxy shortly before last season, Joveljić carried Sporting KC throughout most of last season, and will have to do the same this season. Otherwise in attack, Salloi and new signing Calvin Harris will need to provide any type of attacking output.
Defensively, last year’s squad was absolutely awful. In 34 games, the defensive unit let up 70 goals, over two per game, which was four more than the LA Galaxy, who gave up 66. Youngsters Jansen Miller and Ian James enter their sophomore campaigns in 2026 and they will attempt to bring the defense up from the basement.
In 2026, don’t expect anything serious at One Sporting Way. The squad will not be anything close to competitive this season, and Sporting KC will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season. In a complete rebuild, Sporting will bottom out this season, and will attempt to build for 2027. Don’t be surprised if they finish 15th in the Western Conference.
Sporting KC will kick off their season on Saturday, Feb. 21 when they take on the San Jose Earthquakes. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 P.M. CT.
