Sporting KC: Top Ten Players To Watch in 2017
By Ben Almquist
Sporting KC Top Players To Watch: #9
Ike Opara – Defender
One of the few Sporting KC players to say they had a better season in 2016 was defender Ike Opara. The 27 year old has had a number of seasons cut short by injury, but was finally able to put together a solid season. As a result, the club signed him to a one-year contract with club options in 2018 and 2019. Essentially, it is a chance for Opara to prove himself moving forward.
When professional athletes are playing for their future, there’s almost always some kind of a little push. That little extra something to try and ensure they get that next contract can be hugely beneficial to the team. For Sporting KC, it will be good to get that extra effort on a back line that will undoubtedly be tested in 2017.
If Ike Opara can put together a solid season, it will give Sporting KC some more flexibility in how they attack. Sporting has been a predominantly defense-based squad in the last few years. They need to be able to add more of an attack to that, which means the defense will be tested more. Opara must be able to help hold up that unit.