With MLS transfer window closing, Sporting KC assesses its options

As the MLS transfer window closes at midnight Thursday, Sporting Kansas City sits in an ever-changing spot in the Western Conference. The club is in fourth place in the West, but it has played at least one more match than every team it leads.

The group of players who led Sporting KC to this point will be the ones responsible for finishing out the stretch run, too.

Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said Wednesday that his team is unlikely to make any more additions before the transfer window closes.

“It’s not looking good. We tried, but it hasn’t been looking good,” Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said. “It’s not for a lack of resources or a lack of effort. We can’t find the right deals.”

Sporting KC entered the transfer window period last month with a shopping list that included a winger and an attacking midfielder, Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman said.

Along those lines, Vermes said he pursued Argentine midfielder Sebastian Blanco, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on compensation. Blanco, 28, is playing for San Lorenzo in Argentina.

“There’s just no way we can meet the demands they’re asking for. We don’t think they’re close to what they should be,” Vermes said, referring to combination of the transfer fee and player compensation.

“Unfortunately, the marketplace has gotten to a place where (MLS) clubs are over overpaying for players. We understand we have to pay a premium on a player, but not a double or triple premium. We’re just not going to do that.”

While the team is unlikely to supplement its roster, it’s equally unlikely to subtract from it. After Greek club Olympiakos showed significant interest in acquiring Sporting KC striker Dom Dwyer, Vermes told The Star on Wednesday that any deal there is highly unlikely.

Earlier in the transfer window, Sporting KC signed Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Appiah before trading former 2015 first-round pick Amadou Dia to Montreal in exchange for forward Cameron Porter. Sporting KC also signed Honduran left back Ever Alvarado. Only Porter has since appeared in a match with Sporting KC.

With the absence of more incoming players, Sporting KC is more hopeful of instead bolstering its roster with the return of players on the mend. Winger Graham Zusi (hamstring), defender Nuno Coelho (hamstring) and Paulo Nagamura (quad) rejoined training Wednesday. Matt Besler (knee) and Brad Davis (calf) are in transition mode, one step from being cleared to practice.

Sporting KC, 10-10-4, has earned points in seven of its past nine matches.

“I have a lot of confidence in our group, which is another piece of it,” Vermes said. “I’m not going to mess that up based on (adding) one guy. I’m not going to do that.”

This story was originally published August 3, 2016 at 2:01 PM with the headline "With MLS transfer window closing, Sporting KC assesses its options."