Sporting KC: MLS Predictions Based Off CONCACAF Play

Was Kelyn Rowe overhyped in the preseason?

No.

I know I wasn’t the only one surprised to see the new club addition not starting on the pitch at the beginning of either CCL match after hearing so much praise about him in the preseason. He subbed in the 77th and 70th minute for the first and second leg, respectively.

However, he hasn’t had much time to become integrated to Sporting’s system, and there isn’t an immediate need to fill his position. Fortunately, Vermes has the roster to allow Rowe to slowly assimilate to the club’s style of play without being quickly overwhelmed.

Rowe may not have been the star of the show, but he was solid for the minutes he was in. The midfielder recently mentioned on The Sporting KC Podcast that he has struggled with confidence in the past and is now beginning to find his groove again.

I am confident that after more time and further acclimation to Sporting’s system, Rowe will flourish and become a solid force for the club.

Is Yohan Croizet overrated?

French midfielder Croizet, who earned almost 700,000 dollars in 2018, didn’t even make the 18-man roster for the first leg against Toluca. Rumors bounced around that he was injured, but I was unable to find his name on any sort of injury report.

Croizet did travel down to Mexico as a part of the 18-man squad this past Thursday but didn’t see a minute of time on the pitch.

I’ve never been up on Croizet, but even the biggest optimist toward the Frenchman can see the waste in $700,000 for a benchwarmer.