Sporting KC

Twelve key takeaways from Sporting KC’s highs and lows

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Sporting KC’s season has been a mix of new challenges and familiar struggles. The team began the year facing stars like Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the Concacaf Champions Cup, braving record cold in the process. Scoring has rarely been an issue, with fast starts and strong set-piece production offering hope, but leaky defense and concentration lapses have cost valuable points.

Midseason lineup changes and a notable win over Seattle snapped a long winless streak, yet the club ended up missing the playoffs and dropped key matches, such as the U.S. Open Cup final against LAFC. Despite tough stretches—including a six-match losing skid and sharp words from manager Peter Vermes—Sporting’s roster additions and moments of poise hint at a potential turnaround next season.

Sporting Kansas City defender Robert Voloder (4) reacts after being defeated by the Houston Dynamo at Children’s Mercy Park on May 11, 2024. By Peter Aiken

NO. 1: VERMES BLASTS SPORTING KC’S MINDSET AS WINLESS SKID HITS 6: ‘THERE WILL BE SOME SUFFERING’

Peter Vermes expressed frustration after Saturday’s loss: “If I have to make changes within the starting lineup, then I will do that.” | Published May 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Ryan Gauld (No. 25) gets the celebration started after scoring during the first half of Wednesday evening’s match against Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 2: BRACE YOURSELF: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS BURN HOST SPORTING KC AT CHILDREN’S MERCY PARK

Take a look back at Sporting KC’s match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, a 2-1 loss thanks to a pair of goals from Ryan Gauld. | Published May 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City forward Alenis Vargas (20) celebrates after the game against the Seattle Sounders FC at Children’s Mercy Park on June 8, 2024. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 3: DEJA VU? SPORTING KC SNAPS 10 MATCH WINLESS STREAK AGAINST SEATTLE ... AGAIN

“We know that we are more than capable of getting ourselves back in the playoff hunt,” said Sporting KC’s Johnny Russell. | Published June 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City captain Johnny Russell was down on the pitch after being fouled by LAFC forward David Martínez during Saturday night’s MLS match at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 4: LAFC HOLDS HOSTS SCORELESS IN SPORTING KC’S PENULTIMATE MLS MATCH OF 2024 SEASON

Here’s the recap from Sporting KC’s Saturday evening soccer match against LAFC in KCK. | Published October 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes looks on during the second half of the game against Minnesota United at Allianz Field on April 27, 2024. By Matt Blewett

NO. 5: THROUGH 10 GAMES, SPORTING KC’S BEEN BOTH BRILLIANT AND BUMBLING. SO WHAT GIVES?

Here are 10 things we’ve learned about Sporting KC through 10 games. | Published May 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Erik Thommy (26) celebrates a goal with teammates in the first half during a MLS game against Inter Miami at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Kansas City. By Emily Curiel

NO. 6: SPORTING KANSAS CITY MAKES SPORTICO’S LIST OF WORLD’S MOST VALUABLE SOCCER CLUBS

Sporting KC has a valuation of $670 million in 2024, according to Sportico. Here’s where that ranks among teams around the globe. | Published May 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Maddie Hartley

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Jake Davis (17) celebrates with midfielder Erik Thommy (26) after scoring against Orlando City during the first half at Children’s Mercy Park on Aug. 24, 2024. By Denny Medley

NO. 7: CAN SPORTING KC SALVAGE ITS SEASON WITH A TROPHY? THE U.S. OPEN CUP FINAL AWAITS

Sporting KC can set an MLS record, and claim a trophy, with a win on Wednesday. | Published September 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes reacts during the second half against the Colorado Rapids at Children’s Mercy Park on Sept. 18, 2024. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 8: SPORTING KC 2025 SCHEDULE RELEASED: FROM LIONEL MESSI & MIAMI TO MLS REGULAR-SEASON GAMES

Here’s what the 2025 MLS schedule will look like for Sporting KC. | Published December 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi smiles during player introductions ahead of a CONCACAF Champions Cup soccer match against Sporting KC on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. By Dominick Williams

NO. 9: LIONEL MESSI SCORES AS INTER MIAMI DEFEATS SPORTING KC IN RECORD COLD TEMPERATURES

Soccer legend Lionel Messi has now scored twice against Sporting KC, once at Arrowhead and once at Children’s Mercy Park. | Published February 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi takes a shot on goal in the first half of the Concacaf Champions Cup match vs. Sporting KC on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at Sporting Park. Messi scored the match’s only goal. By Dominick Williams

NO. 10: HOW CONFIDENT IS SPORTING KC HEADING INTO 2ND LEG VS. MESSI, MIAMI? ‘BELIEF IS 1,000% THERE’

Sporting Kansas City will face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the second leg of a Concacaf Champions Cup tie on Tuesday. | Published February 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp (1) makes a save during the first half against D.C. United at Audi Field on March 8, 2025. By Daniel Kucin Jr.

NO. 11: FIVE MATCHES, FIVE LOSSES: SPORTING KC’S STRUGGLES CONTINUE TO START 2025 SEASON

Here’s the story of Sporting KC’s match against DC United on Saturday night. | Published March 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

Santos Laguna forward Santiago Munoz (19) reacts after converting on a penalty kick against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 4, 2024. By Dale Zanine

NO. 12: SPORTING KANSAS CITY ADDS STRIKER FROM LIGA MX AHEAD OF TRANSFER DEADLINE

Sporting KC has made a move to bolster its attack. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.