Here’s why finding identity early is critical as Sporting KC opens season in Canada
By the time Sporting Kansas City kicks off against the Vancouver Whitecaps Saturday night to signal the start of the 2020 MLS season, it will have been 146 days since the team’s last competitive game.
Quite a long time for a side that missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
And if Sporting wants to avoid such a scenario again this year, Peter Vermes’ team can’t stray far from its tactical philosophies this season.
Last season was riddled with fatigue and injuries in the wake of a grueling CONCACAF Champions League schedule that led to a bleak seven-game skid after Sporting had secured seven of 12 possible points in its first four matches. Those injuries prevented Vermes’ men from settling into a groove, and they soon fell into the MLS cellar.
But it’s time to look forward now. With new players in the starting lineup and fresh legs throughout the roster, it’s time for Sporting to find an identity that works and stick with it throughout 2020.
Last year’s torrid early stretch set the tone for a frantic year that saw no consistency going forward and no real stability along the back line — whereas Sporting teams of the past decade were renowned for their stoutness at the back and effectiveness going forward.
Nobody knows that better than captain and starting center back Matt Besler.
“I think (in the) preseason everybody wants to play the same, everybody wants to build, keep possession, and then defensively I think everyone wants to pressure the other team into mistakes,” Besler said Wednesday. “But when the games start happening and they start counting, I think some teams kind of shift their mindset and get away from maybe what they talked about in preseason.”
“We don’t want to be one of those teams,” he continued. “We want to be one of those teams that keeps their identity.”
But what should Sporting’s identity be? Let’s start here: This squad has the ability to be a possession-based team and catch the opposition on the break this year.
It features the solidity of one of the best defensive midfielders in the league — Ilie Sanchez — with veteran experience either side of him, both in central midfield and defense, and should be able to control two-thirds of the field. Yes, this could apply to last season, too, but there was a defensive carousel beside Besler at center back for much of the season.
Now, Kansas City has added not only depth but quality along the back line, with both Winston Reid and Roberto Puncec able deputies to Besler at the back.
“Everyone that has come in has done well. They’ve come in with a really good attitude and they’ve bought in with what we’re trying to do,” Besler said. “You can tell that each player is experienced. They’re professional. They’re smart players.”
“You can tell that they’ve been around in different leagues around the world because they can pick up on things right away, so that’s been a great sign.”
When Kansas City does lose possession this year, it should have the ability to break quickly and with regularity.
Luis Martins will continue to provide speed and danger down the left wing, especially now that he has a full preseason under his belt. With the addition of Alan Pulido at center forward to dictate play in the final third, Kansas City’s lethal wingers should be afforded more freedom and room to break away with speed when Sporting wins possession.
Of course, tactical variation is required based on the opposition, but a core set of beliefs and identity from the first whistle figure to enable Sporting to enjoy a fruitful year.
It may seem like a long way back to the top after the struggles of 2019, but if Vermes, Besler and Co. can get into a groove early against a Vancouver team they’ve dominated in recent years, Sporting Kansas City can set itself up for a bounce-back year in the Western Conference.
This story was originally published February 27, 2020 at 2:11 PM with the headline "Here’s why finding identity early is critical as Sporting KC opens season in Canada."