Medranda Officially Re-Acquired and a Look at the Roster

The rumored re-acquisition of midfielder, Jimmy Medranda was announced today. Sporting KC agreed to a fee with his Colombian club Deportivo Pereira. At the same time as they announced the transfer, Sporting announced that they'd signed Medranda to a multi-year deal. Medranda made one appearance for Sporting KC last year, coming off the bench in stoppage time of KC's 3-0 win over Columbus. He made an immediate impression on KC fans by striking a well hit shot from 30 yards out, that while being saved, showed a willingness to take a chance from distance.



The addition of Medranda back to the team puts KC's signed roster at 28 players on it, 26 from last year's MLS Cup team, and two new signings (Sal Zizzo and Andy Gruenebaum). That currently leaves KC with just two open roster spots ahead of the start of the 2014 season. Based on the recent comments made by Peter Vermes regarding Peterson Joseph though, I expect him to be placed on the injured reserve list, which would allow him to not count against the roster capacity, putting KC at 27 signed players.

As of the last roster update and game against Indy Eleven, there are still four trialists in camp. Three draft picks, Adnan Gabeljic, Peter Schmetz, and Alex Martinez, and one trialist, that is likely still Danny Earls (who was outed as Trialist 1 in Sporting's game against Portland). Vermes though has said that more players would be joining the team in Orlando for the second leg of preseason.

Based on the roster currently I think both Gabeljic and Martinez have work to do to make the roster. Gaeljic just because of the sheer number of forwards on KC's roster. But Martinez more so, especially with Medranda back in the fold. The midfield for KC got a little more crowded. Even with the questions still surrounding Joseph, Martinez likely has the biggest hill to climb of the three remaining draft picks.