Sporting Kansas City’s Kevin Ellis embraces another change to his role

Kevin Ellis signed his first professional contract in February 2011, only two years removed from a season in which he scored 23 goals for Barton (Kan.) Community College. He was an NJCAA All-American.

But he was no longer a goal scorer. In the ensuing five years, the most steady aspect of Ellis’ career has been change. A college coach shifted him to the back line of defense, hoping to utilize his speed on the flanks.

Sporting Kansas City’s shorthanded roster forced another adjustment last season — a move to center back — and that led the coaching staff to a realization, of sorts.

“As much as Kevin can play on the (outside), he’s a middle-of-the-park guy,” Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said. “You could just tell.”

Finally, a landing spot.

Well, sort of.

As a replacement for the injured Ike Opara, Ellis started 26 matches last season. He led all MLS defenders in goals.

Then came another change. In the offseason, Sporting KC signed center back Nuno André Coelho, a 12-year veteran in Europe.

Ellis entered camp with another undefined role. He departed camp as a backup.

“I knew it was going to be more competitive, but as a player, that’s what you should want,” Ellis said. “You want to compete in your position, and you want other guys competing as well. That’s going to make the team better. We all want to win — that’s why we’re all here.”

After playing 2,335 minutes last season, Ellis hasn’t seen the field this season in the first three games. Not once.

That could change Saturday. Sporting KC captain Matt Besler will be sidelined with the lingering effects of a concussion he suffered while training with the United States men’s national team last week. His absence opens up a spot in the center of the defense.

Vermes wouldn’t commit to his selection for Saturday’s match against Real Salt Lake — only saying that Ellis or Opara would get the nod — but Ellis seems to stand first in line. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Children’s Mercy Park.

Ellis’ teammates say he’s shown a readiness to contribute — and not just because of the experience he earned last season.

“You can tell he wants to start and thinks he should be,” midfielder Benny Feilhaber said. “He just looks confident, like he belongs. Things like that affect the team in a very positive way this year.”

If Ellis is inserted into the starting lineup Saturday, it would mark his first playing time with Coelho, a 30-year-old center back who has played the full 270 minutes through three matches and even has a game-winning goal to show for it.

The unfamiliar pairing will require an adaption from Ellis.

He’s used to them.

“I’ll be prepared for anything that I have to do to help the team win,” Ellis said. “As the new guy coming in (to the lineup), if that’s the case, it’s more my job to adjust to him. I have to come in and make sure there’s no drop off and keep the same level.”

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Sporting Kansas City’s Kevin Ellis embraces another change to his role."