KC Soccer Journal: A Sporting KC Podcast · FFSN Sporting KC

2026 Sporting KC Season Preview - Shades of Blue

·1 hr 15 min·5 clips

Sporting KC is a pile of ash after firing Peter Vermees, with the Phoenix not yet risen from the ashes.

This episode previews Sporting Kansas City's 2026 MLS season with hosts Cody Bradley, Thad Bell, Robert Russert, David Greenwald, and Kerry Robinson. The panel, representing the longest-running Sporting KC podcast, sets expectations following a massive club rebuild. They begin by emphasizing how historically bad the 2025 season was for the team. Sporting KC finished 15th in the West, just two points above the Wooden Spoon, with a minus-28.15 expected goal differential cited as the worst since 2013. The hosts recall specific low points, including a 4-1 loss to the LA Galaxy and a 5-2 defeat to Seattle. Daniel Salloi's deflated post-game comments and a win against LA without registering a shot are highlighted as emblematic of the year. The club has undergone sweeping changes, replacing owner, general manager, head coach Peter Vermes, and most assistant coaches. New manager Rafa Wicky leads a revamped technical staff including assistant Dom Kinnear and first assistant Chris Atkins. A surprising claim is that this is "the biggest rebuild of any sporting team in any sport in the history of sports." Despite the bleak outlook, some hosts express cautious optimism about watching young talents like Dániel Sallói and Mánuel "Manu" directly. Robert Russert is "98 percent confident" new signings will arrive after the World Cup break. The hosts debate whether the front office has done everything angry fans demanded by completely cleaning house. The roster rundown reveals a thin defense, with Ian James and Jansen Miller likely starting at center-back despite expected growing pains. The midfield will heavily rely on Jake Davis and Manu, with Jacob Bartlett needing to progress. The tone is a candid, conversational mix of gallows humor and measured hope among longtime fans. This episode is ideal for Sporting KC die-hards seeking a sober, detailed season primer, but less suited for listeners wanting pure optimism or focus on other MLS teams.

As heard by us

A preseason reset that balances roster turnover with the honest, fan-side tone the show does well.

The Sporting KC season preview stays with the reset after Peter Vermees, framing the club as a team still moving through change rather than starting from zero.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a preseason Sporting KC primer on what changed and what still looks unfinished.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from KC Soccer Journal: A Sporting KC Podcast