Sporting KC: A Look At The Starting Eleven

As Sporting KC begin preparations for their 2015 season, its time to look forward, and try to analyze and predict their optimal lineup.

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In years past predicting the starting eleven for Sporting KC was a fairly easy task. Jimmy Nielsen was always going to be the Goalkeeper, the back four of Seth Sinovic, Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin, and Chance Myers was a brick wall, Graham Zusi, Paulo Nagamura, and Benny Feilhaber were automatic in the midfield, Dom Dwyer, and Kei Kamara have been the stars up top.

Times have changed, and after last years disappointing first round loss to the New York Red Bulls in the playoffs, Sporting KC decided to change with it. Kei Kamara was let go in 2013, Aurelien Collin joined Orlando City FC this offseason, and Chance Myers tore his Achilles early in the 2014 season.

Sporting KC has signed Defender Jalil Anibaba, Midfielder Bernardo Anor, Midfielder James Marcelin, Goalkeeper Luis Marin, Goalkeeper Tim Melia, Forward Krisztian Nemeth, and brought back fan favorite Midfielder Roger Espinoza.

After all the changes I give you the optimal lineup for Sporting KC’s 2015 season.

Formation: 4-3-3 (because it’s Peter Vermes)

Goal Keeper

Goal Keeper – Luis Marin: Sporting KC didn’t bring in the 31 year-old veteran Goalkeeper to sit on the bench. Marin had success last season in Chile, winning the Apertura Championship with Universidad de Chile. Sporting KC really missed the presence of veteran Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen last season, with Eric Kronberg and Andy Gruenebaum filling the starting role throughout most the season, and Jon Kempin filling in when both of them went down injured. They hope to not make that mistake again, which is why Luis Marin will start between the posts.

Defense

Left Back – Seth Sinovic: If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Seth Sinovic has been a rock in recent seasons, and there is no reason that should change. Sinovic has a veteran understanding to vermes system, and you rarely see him make mistakes.

Center Back – Matt Besler: Another if it isn’t broke don’t fix it situation. While it is true that Besler may not have had his best season, a lot of that can be attributed to fatigue. Besler played a big part in the Concacaf Champions League, the World Cup, and Major League Soccer league play. After having an off-season to rest his body, Besler will be back in form and ready to go.

Center Back – Ike Opara: Opara suffered a chondral defect injury in his right ankle early in 2014, which saw him miss the entire season. Before the injury, Opara showed a lot of promise filling in for Besler and Collin when called upon. When Collin signed with Orlando City FC, not only did Sporting KC lose a starting CB, but they lost their dominance in the air. Opara will give the defense the aerial ability that they desperately need.

Right Back – Chance Myers: Sporting KC will depend on another guy in the back four trying to come back from a season ending injury. Myers tore his Achilles early in 2014, and spent the entire year trying to rehab. Before going out with the injury, Myers was a lock in the right back position. He is sound on the ball in defense, and does well pushing forward and providing service out of the back.

Midfield

Central Midfielder – Benny Feilhaber: Feilhaber was one of, if not the best player for Sporting KC last season and that won’t change going into 2015. He finished the 2014 season with four goals and six assists, but it was his stability that really benefited Sporting KC. The midfield was a revolving door for the most part last season, between injuries, the World Cup, and players leaving (Rosell), Sporting KC couldn’t field a consistent midfield all season.

Central Midfielder – Roger Espinoza: Espinoza brings something back to Sporting KC that they haven’t been able to replicate since he left for Wigan after the 2012 season. He brings back endurance, tenacity, and stability to the midfield. He will disrupt everything in the middle of the field and allow Feilhaber to play further up the pitch. Nobody will be comfortable on the ball when Espinoza is on the field.

Defensive Midfielder – Jorge Claros: Claros joined Sporting KC last season and only played in seven games, with four starts. This is a big question mark, as not a lot is known about Claros yet, but after losing Orioll Rosell, and Lawrence Olum, Sporting KC doesn’t really have any other options. Sporting KC was trying to make a move for a defensive midfielder but Sporting KC CEO Robb Heineman announced that the potential signing failed his physical.

Failed physical. ...dm deal dead
— Robb Heineman (@RobbHeineman) January 11, 2015

Forward

Left Wing – Graham Zusi: Zusi was always a reliable player in the midfield, but has recently made the switch to a more forward position. Zusi suffered from the same fatigue that Besler did last year, and it really seemed to slow him down. Expect Zusi to be back in form and all over the field again this year.

Center Forward – Dom Dwyer: After setting the club record for goals scored in a season last year, and signing a new three year contract, Dwyer looks to be a rock at center forward. With a rested Zusi and Feilhaber able to player further up the pitch to provide service to Dwyer, don’t be surprised if he breaks his own record and challenges the Major League Soccer record of 27 goals.

Right Wing – Jacob Peterson: Peterson will bring a relentless work rate up top, and has the flexibility to drop back in defense when needed, and switch sides with Zusi which will give opposing defenses a lot of trouble. Peterson may not finish the season as the starting right wing, but being a veteran gives him the advantage to start the season there. (Honorable Mention – Krizstian Nemeth)

That makes Sporting KC’s starting eleven look like this.