Sporting Kansas City 2023 MLS season preview: Tactics, predicted XI, predictions
Sporting Kansas City are looking to return to the MLS Cup playoffs after a disappointing 2022 season.
Paralyzed by a slow start, Peter Vermes’ side could only manage a 12th place finish in the Western Conference and missed the postseason by seven points.
However, after some mid-season signings and an easing of the injury crisis, SKC showed excellent form towards the end of the season, suggesting they could return as contenders this time around.
So here’s everything you need to know about Sporting Kansas City ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players and predictions.
transfers a
|
player |
Former club |
fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Tim Leibold |
Hamburger SV |
Free transfer |
|
Robert Castellanos |
KuPS |
Free transfer |
|
Danny Flores |
Virginia Tech |
Super Draft |
|
Stefan Africa |
FIU Panther |
Super Draft |
|
Nemanya Radoya |
– |
Free agent |
transfers out
|
player |
Former club |
fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Nicolas Isimat Mirin |
Vitesse |
Free transfer |
|
cave wheel |
Hartford Athletic |
Free transfer |
|
Uri Rosell |
– |
Approved |
Over the years Peter Vermes has become known for his intense high pressing in a 4-3-3 form and that hasn’t changed. When he has good players available, it really works. If he has bad players available, it really doesn’t.
In the first half of last season, Vermes didn’t have the best squad to choose from and it went from one disastrous performance to the next. However, the mid-season additions of Erik Thommy and Willy Agada ignited the attacking line both with and without the ball. The result? SKC finishes the season with six wins and only two losses in their last 10 games.
SKC have continued to strengthen since then (although the centre-back still falls short) and appear poised to return as playoff challengers.
Sporting Kansas City predicted XI (4-3-3): Melia; Pierre, Voloder, Fontas, Ndenbe; Walter, Hernandez, Duke; Russell, Agada, Salloi.
Johnny Russel
He wasn’t quite his usual height, but in a struggling side, Johnny Russell still scored 10 goals in 37 games in all competitions last season – including eight in 33 regular-season games.
The Scottish winger embodies everything that makes a good Peter Vermes team: energy, speed, intensity and offensive threat.
As the team’s captain and talisman, Russell, 32, is expected to lead SKC’s side back to the MLS Cup playoffs.
As mentioned, 2022 was very disappointing for SKC but the way they ended the campaign with Thommy and Agada coming on board leaves fans with plenty of optimism.
It’s rare for a Peter Vermes side to be left behind for two years and the experience and quality in his squad is just too good to be out of contention again.
A deep playoff run? Not quite. But a return to the postseason? Absolutely.
Will Sporting Kansas City qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs? Yes