KC Make Deadline Move for Defender

Sporting Kansas City made one move today before the roster freeze at 4pm Central time today. Today KC announced that they'd acquired Kenyan defender, Lawrence Olum. Olum spent most of the year with Orlando City SC of the USL Pro division. The 27 year old Olum played in 21 games for Orlando City in league play, recording only 1 assist. Olum had one goal in the playoffs, in the championship game against Harrisburg. The goal in the 89th minute looked like it'd be a winner before a late equalizer by the Islanders forced extra time.

Peter Vermes called Olum a very versatile player that can play multiple positions. Olum seemed to mainly play as a central defender, but has also been listed as a midfielder and could possibly be an outside back as well. Throughout his career Olum has played in the lower divisions in the US since graduating from Missouri Baptist. After playing with the St. Louis Lions of the PDL, he's since played with the Portland Timbers and Minnesota Thunder. He then played with the Austin Aztex who moved to Orlando before this season. Olum seems set to provide depth at the center back position though, if Julio Cesar moves back to the defensive midfield position KC will want depth to cover in case Aurelien Collin or Matt Besler goes down.

According to Vermes, KC was also interested in trying to sign former draft pick Nick Cardenas, but apparently a deal couldn't be reached apparently due to MLS roster rules. Cardenas likely would have been on the list of players not on the senior roster, and there was likely some roster regulations that KC couldn't get around to sign the 6'5" defender.