Johnny Russell & Tim Melia won’t return as Sporting Kansas City’s rebuild begins
Midway through the 2024 season, Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes made it clear that a roster rebuild was in the works.
The team had identified three upcoming transfer windows, beginning this winter, during which it would improve its spending and overhaul a roster that finished with the second-worst record in club history.
Sporting KC’s roster overhaul
Mike Burns was hired as sporting director and tasked with building the roster into something new. The first tangible steps were taken Thursday, when Sporting KC announced its season-ending roster moves.
When the 2024 season came to an end, both Burns and Vermes said Sporting could move on from as many as 16 players. More than half of that group will not return.
Sporting KC will not bring back captain Johnny Russell, goalkeeper Tim Melia, defender Andreu Fontas and midfielder Remi Walter, all of whom are out of contract.
Russell, 34, has been team captain since 2021. He joined Sporting in 2018 and lit up the wings at Children’s Mercy Park. In 232 appearances for Sporting, Russell scored 67 goals and recorded 39 assists.
Among Sporting KC’s all-time leaders, Russell ranks 11th in appearances, third in goals scored and is tied for third in assists with Daniel Salloi.
Melia, 38, was one of the franchise’s best shot-stoppers. He was MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2017 and helped lead Sporting to U.S. Open Cup titles in 2015 and 2017. His penalty kick-saving exploits are some of the greatest in league history.
Melia ranks fourth for appearances in club history. He also has the most appearances of any goalkeeper in club history, with the most saves and clean sheets.
Eleven players had contract options. Sporting picked up seven: Stephen Afrifa, William Agada, Zorhan Bassong, Logan Ndenbe, Memo Rodriguez, Ryan Schewe and Robert Voloder.
The team declined options on Chris Rindov, Ozzie Cisneros, Danny Flores and Robert Castellanos.
The Sporting KC roster heading into next season stands as follows:
- Goalkeeper: John Pulskamp, Ryan Schewe
- Defender: Joaquín Fernandez, Tim Leibold, Logan Ndenbe, Dany Rosero, Khiry Shelton, Robert Voloder
- Midfielder: Zorhan Bassong, Jake Davis, Nemanja Radoja, Memo Rodriguez, Erik Thommy
- Forward: Stephen Afrifa, William Agada, Alan Pulido, Daniel Salloi, Alenis Vargas
Benny Feilhaber out as Sporting KC II manager
Sporting KC also announced that Benny Feilhaber will not return as Sporting KC II manager, and a search is underway for a new MLS Next Pro team manager.
Burns is expected to hold a news conference Friday to discuss offseason plans and roster decisions.
Soccer returns soon(ish) for Sporting KC, which qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League. The first round of CCL matches begins Feb. 4-6, a couple of weeks before MLS opening weekend, which arrives Feb. 22-23.
Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.
This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 11:48 AM.