Sporting KC goalkeeper Luis Marin still adjusting to first year in MLS

After only one game as a member of Sporting Kansas City, goalkeeper Luis Marin indicated the speed and physicality of Major League Soccer would require a significant adjustment. The 31-year-old veteran spent the previous 12 years playing in his home country of Chile, competing in leagues he says exhibited a far different style than American soccer.

Nearly two months later, the transition to MLS remains a work in progress.

After a stretch of three shutouts in four matches, Marin has allowed six goals over the past two games. In a 4-4 draw with Houston on Saturday, he did not record a save while allowing the four goals.

"I think he's a very good goalkeeper, but recently, he's made a couple of mistakes that are things we do not want," Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said. "Like that third goal (against Houston), he has to make that save. Or that goal against Philadelphia to start the game. OK, I understand the mistake. Things happen. But you can't keep having those mistakes."

Speaking through a interpreter Tuesday, Marin said he's trying to be more aggressive in his anticipation of plays because "there are a lot of fast breaks" in MLS games.

Marin said he's also working on transitioning the ball to the defenders at a quicker pace — and that strength is one of the reasons Vermes brought Marin to the Kansas City. Sporting KC erased its goalkeeper depth chart from 2014 — which included Eric Kronberg and Andy Gruenebaum — and inked Marin and Tim Melia in their place.

Vermes declined to answer a question about Marin's job security Tuesday, stating, "You think about everything as a coach, but I haven't made any decision on anything like that." It's worth noting that Vermes rarely, if ever, discusses lineup changes.

The odds of seeing a goalkeeper change anytime soon are likely tall, considering the acclimation period for the position isn't often a quick one.

Take Jimmy Nielsen, for instance.

In 2010, his first year with the Sporting KC franchise, Nielsen endured an early-season stretch in which he allowed 12 goals in five matches. Vermes has often mentioned Nielsen's early struggles sparked calls for change. But Vermes stuck with Nielsen instead, and he went on to win the 2012 MLS goalkeeper of the year award. A year later, he captained the team to the 2013 MLS championship.

"It doesn't happen overnight," Vermes said. "It's a faster league. I've always said this: There are a lot of car crashes all over the field, and you have to be durable to withstand those, and you have to be able to catch up to the speed of the game. That can take a little time sometimes."

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Sporting KC goalkeeper Luis Marin still adjusting to first year in MLS."