Thursday, July 11, 2013

Sapong and Ellis on Their Way to Orlando

Sporting KC announced today the two new loaned players to Orlando City.  The rumored CJ Sapong loan was confirmed by the team today.  Joining Sapong will be wingback, Kevin Ellis.  Ellis has made 3 appearances in all competitions this season, including becoming the first home grown player for KC to appear in and start a league game.
They'll join Orlando City and be available for selection in tonight's game the Lions play against the Charleston Battery.  The game is the start of a very busy stretch for OCSC.  They play four games in nine days starting tonight. After that busy schedule, Orlando actually has a two week break until their next game.  That would allow not only Sapong and Ellis to return, but KC's other two loaned players, Christian Duke and Jon Kempin, to return to Kansas City.
Sapong's loan can be seen as a bit disappointing for the former rookie of the year, but this will be a chance for him to get more playing time, likely in his more natural center forward position, instead of out wide like he's played in Kansas City with Claudio Bieler in the middle.
Ellis may actually be missed the most in the short term.  With Ellis gone on loan and Mechack Jerome playing with Haiti in the Gold Cup, Sporting's depth at wingback is now limited to Josh Gardner and Kyle Miller. Gardner hasn't exactly endeared himself with his play, especially in the Open Cup against Orlando, and Miller has yet to make a competitive appearance for the club. The good news for KC though is that the depth issue should only be for a game or two. This weekend against Toronto will be one, but depending on how Haiti does in the Gold Cup, Jerome could be back for KC's match in Salt Lake next weekend.  After that Orlando would be on their two week break and Ellis could be back on the bench again as well if Jerome is still with Haiti.

3 comments:

Nathan Martin said...

Interesting, CJ in a 4-4-2.

I interpret the OCSC deal to have the stipulation that after July 30 those loaned players cannot be recalled until the end of the season in late August/September to minimize disruption for their end of season and playoffs.

If true, I very much doubt that CJ stays after these 4 games that end July 20.

For CJ, it couldn't be clearer: put the ball in the back of the net.

(It's days like these that I am glad I don't interact with the majority of SKC fans on social media. Many are probably readying the noose without understanding that he's likely to return in 10 days or so.)

Anonymous said...

from vermes comments, it sounds like his plan is to send them down for the 4 games to get them in game shape for champions league since they haven't been playing much. i expect a different 2 to go back down to orlando after their break. i'm still thinking kyle miler is going to orlando after that. maybe gardner for the other player.

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