Sporting KC Off-Season Recap
Sporting KC has had a busy off-season with several moves happening in rapid succession, and it was easy to get lost and not keep up with everything. The preseason officially started on January 25th for Sporting KC has they flew out to Tucson, Arizona to begin training.
All our bags are packed, we're ready to go... #SKCPreseason pic.twitter.com/XrTPsTCbuN
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) January 25, 2015
The first preseason game is January 31st against the Portland Timbers, and the first regular season game is March 3rd against the New York Red Bulls so now is as good a time as any to get caught up on all the off-season happenings for Sporting KC.
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Following the disappointing 2014 season Sporting KC declined the option on the contract’s of seven players including Forward Antonio Dovale, Goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum, Midfielder Michael Kafari, Goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, Midfielder Victor Munoz, Midfielder Christian Duke, and Forward Sal Zizzo.
Sporting KC let five players leave the team out of contract including Lawrence Olum, Martin Steuble, Soony Saad, Kevin Ellis, and Claudio Bieler. Claudio Bieler and Sporting KC agreed to mutually part ways on January 20th freeing up a Designated Player spot and an International Player Spot for Sporting KC.
While no official update has been give on Kevin Ellis’ situation, it appears he will be back with Sporting KC in 2015.
Sporting KC traded away Defender Aurelien Collin to Orlando City FC in exchange for allocation money and future considerations, and Forward C.J. Sapong was traded away to the Philadelphia Union for a 2015 first round pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
Sporting KC also traded allocation money to the Columbus Crew in exchange for Midfielder Bernardo Anor. Defender Igor Juliao’s loan expired and he returned to his team Fluminense.
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Orlando City FC drafted Defender Jalil Anibaba away from Seattle in the MLS Expansion Draft and Sporting KC used the future consideration from the Aurelien Colling trade to acquire him. On December 17th, Sporting KC signed Forward Dom Dwyer to a three year contract extension.
The young forward earned his new contract after tallying a team record 22 goals in 2014.
Sporting KC signed five players including Midfielder James Marcelin, Forward Krisztian Nemeth formerly of Roda JC Kerkrade in the Eredivisie, 31-year-old Chilean Goalkeeper Luis Marin, former MLS pool Goalkeeper Tim Melia, out of contract Forward Jacob Peterson, and former Sporting KC fan favorite Midfielder Roger Espinoza signed with Sporting KC following his two year spell with Wigan Athletic.
Sporting KC had three first round picks in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and drafted University of California Forward Connor Hallisey with the 10th overall pick, then drafted Akron University Defender Saad Abdul-Salaam with the 12th overall pick, and finally selected Clemson University Defender Amadou Dia with the 20th overall pick, which wrapped up the first round for Sporting KC.
Sporting KC was busy in other ways than transaction news this off-season. The Sporting KC Academy U-14’s won the Championship at the Disney Showcase, Defender Erik Palmer-Brown returned to training after rehabbing from the right foot injury that ended his 2014 season.
Defender Matt Besler and Goalkeeper Jon Kempin joined the United States Men’s National Team for their January Camp. The call up to train with the senior team was the first in Kempin’s career.
The Kansas State Wildcats are in talks with Sporting KC to potentially host their spring football game at Sporting Park. If the deal goes through, talks are that the game will be played on Saturday, April 25th. Last but not least I took a look at the potential starting eleven for Sporting KC to start the 2015 season.
Next: A Look At The Potential Starting Eleven
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