Official: Roger Espinoza Signs With Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City announced Tuesday that they have signed Honduran Midfielder Roger Espinoza.
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The now 28 year old Espinoza began his career with Sporting Kansas City when the team drafted him with their 11th pick in the 2008 MLS Superdraft. Espinoza became a main stay in the starting eleven for Sporting KC, making 113 appearances, scoring two goals, and 12 assists in his time with the team from 2008-2012. Espinoza helped Sporting KC win their first championship since the re-brand from the Wizards to Sporting KC, when they won the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Championship.
Following the 2012 season Espinoza was out of contract and joined Wigan Athletic on a free transfer. Espinoza spent the 2013 and 2014 season with Wigan, making 57 appearances and scoring two goals across all competitions. Espinoza played a major part in helping Wigan win the FA Cup, where he played the entire game of a 1-0 defeat of Manchester City.
Not everything went the way Espinoza planned in Wigan as his minutes started to be reduced in the 2014 season, and he became homesick. Reports started to come out that he wanted to return to Kansas City, and the Wigan manager publicly acknowledged Espinozas desire to return to Sporting KC. Wigan and Espinoza decided to mutually part ways in December 2014.
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Espinoza has been heavily featured in the Honduras National Team since being called up in 2009 by then head coach Reinaldo Rueda. Espinoza has made 42 appearances for Honduras, scoring four goals.
Kurt Austin of SportingKC.com reached out to Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes for comment on the signing.
"“Roger (Espinoza) was a big part of us establishing ourselves in Kansas City and Major League Soccer, now Roger returns to a club that has continued its evolution and he has the ability to help take us to the next level. It is rare for a player to leave a club and then come back, but this situation from day one has been great and we are very happy for Roger to don the Sporting Kansas City jersey again.”"
Espinoza also commented on his return to Kansas City saying.
"“I’m thrilled to be back in Kansas City, I always knew I would come back some day and I could not be more excited to re-join this club. I’m ready to get back to work and help this team win another championship.”"
It is great to see a fan favorite return to Sporting KC and bring his pace and tenacity back to Kansas City. Sporting KC will look to rebound from their disappointing 2014 season that ended in a first round loss in the playoffs.