Sporting Kansas City: Seven players to watch in 2019

KANSAS CITY, KS - MARCH 14: Sporting Kansas City forward Krisztian Nemeth (9) celebrates with Sporting Kansas City defender Botond Barath (2) after scoring a goal during the CONCACAF Champions League match between Sporting Kansas City and Club Atletico Independiente on Thursday March 14, 2019 at Children's Park in Kansas City, KS. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Sporting Kansas City defender Andreu Fontas (4) (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

SPORTING KC PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2019 – ANDREU FONTAS

Following the recent loss of Sporting’s 2017 MLS Defender of the Year and franchise staple defender in Ike Opara, Andreu Fontas has big shoes to fill on a defensively minded team.

Many questions were raised in the offseason about how Fontas would slot into the center back position and fit alongside Besler, but so far it’s been seamless. Fontas has impressed in the preseason and regular season so far—and for good reason.

So far, the Spaniard has shown excellent decision-making and aptitude for playing on the ball, which allows him to fit seamlessly into Vermes’ possession-emphasizing system.

This will be Fontas’s first full season with Sporting and his first season as a starter, which will be key in proving if he really is worth his high price tag.

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