Sporting KC hires former keeper Andy Gruenebaum as new TV color commentator

Sporting Kansas City's next color commentator will be awfully familiar with the team.

The club has hired Andy Gruenebaum — a goalkeeper on the 2014 roster — to take over the TV color commentating role this season.

Sporting KC announced last month that Nate Bukaty will provide play-by-play on the telecasts. The duo will replace Callum Williams and Diego Gutierrez.

Gruenebaum's decision to join the broadcast booth effectively serves as his retirement from Major League Soccer after nine seasons.

"It was a tough decision to hang up the boots, but at the end of the day, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to stay in KC and be a part of this amazing club," said Gruenebaum, a graduate of Blue Valley North.

In his only year with Sporting KC, Gruenebaum made 14 starts across all competitions, compiling an 8-4-2 record before his season was cut short with an injury.

After Sporting KC declined a contract option on Gruenebaum following the 2014 season, San Jose selected the goalkeeper in the MLS Re-Entry Draft, but he bypassed on that opportunity.

In addition to his announcing role, he will also serve as a liaison for youth soccer initiatives, the club announced. Gruenebaum plans to assist in developing a youth soccer curriculum for the Sporting Club Network and its 59 affiliate members.

Jake Yadrich will return to Sporting Kansas City TV as a network host and sideline reporter, the club also announced Thursday.

This story was originally published January 30, 2015 at 12:20 AM with the headline "Sporting KC hires former keeper Andy Gruenebaum as new TV color commentator."