Sporting Bring Back Soony Saad

Sporting KC announced the return of Soony Saad to Sporting Kansas City today. The former Kansas City forward had spent the last two years playing in Thailand, most recently with Pattaya United, scoring nine goals in 28 appearances. Saad becomes the third former Kansas City player to return to Sporting KC in the last 14 months joining Igor Juliao and Lawrence Olum in that category. He had been linked with a move to Minnesota United, even to the point of United and Sporting negotiating over Saad's MLS rights (since KC still held them), but Sporting ended up reaching an agreement with Saad instead.

Saad's time in KC was up and down for the forward as appeared 58 times over four years for KC in league play, 45 over the final two years, but played just 2,603 minutes for KC, less than 45 minutes an appearance for KC. He couldn't ever lock down a starting position to get more consistent minutes and after the 2014 season couldn't come to terms with KC on a new deal.

Saad's return will reunite him with his former partner in crime, Dom Dwyer, the pair were fan favorites when they were in KC together and were part of the infamous selfie celebration by Dwyer.

He's scored 14 goals over his career so far with Kansas City, eight in league play, both of which see him jump to fourth among Sporting KC's active players in terms of goal scoring for the club. Saad will come into a very crowded from three for KC in their 4-3-3 system as the club now have 10 healthy players whose primary position is one of the front three spots in KC's lineup, it'll become 11 when Diego Rubio returns from injury. His experience in MLS though will certainly be a plus for him with the squad but it wouldn't be a surprised to see one of the 10 players released or waived before the season starts. His signing gives Sporting KC 28 players currently under contract for the 2017 season, although one of those, Rubio, will likely be placed on injured reserve as he continues to rehab his torn ACL. That means KC would still have one roster spot at this time to fill.

Youngest and Oldest to Play for Kansas City

Another stat update, this time the youngest and oldest players to appear and start for Sporting KC.

There was no movement among league appearances for young players. There are still some candidates that can join the list in 2017 though, specifically Latif Blessing and Daniel Salloi are both young enough to get themselves on to the list in 2017.

Ten youngest to appear in a league game for KC.
1. Erik Palmer-Brown - 17 years, 24 days - 5/18/2014 - Chicago
2. Nino da Silva - 18 years, 158 days - 8/31/1997 - DC United
3. Yura Movsisyan - 18 years, 311 days - 5/13/2006 - DC United
4. Soony Saad - 19 years, 0 days - 8/17/2011 - Portland
5. Jake Dancy - 19 years, 137 days - 8/24/1997 - San Jose
6. Jose Burciaga - 19 years, 184 days - 5/19/2001 - Chicago
7. Jimmy Medranda - 19 years, 212 days - 9/7/2013 - Columbus
8. Igor Julião - 19 years, 264 days - 5/14/2014 - Philadelphia
9. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 28 days - 3/27/2011 - DC United
10. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 35 days - 8/11/2012 - DC United
11. Chance Myers - 20 years, 124 days - 4/9/2008 - New England
12. Francisco Gomez - 20 years, 132 days - 6/6/1999 - Los Angeles
13. Daneil Cyrus - 20 years, 220 days - 7/23/2011 - Toronto
14. Peter Byaruhanga - 20 years, 325 days - 7/8/2000 - New York
15. Nick Garcia - 20 years, 351 days - 3/25/2000 - Chicago
16. Michael Harrington - 21 years, 80 days - 4/14/2007 - DC United
17. Will John - 21 years, 81 days - 9/2/2006 - Los Angeles
18. Jon Kempin - 21 years, 124 days - 8/10/2014 - Vancouver
19. Scott Vermillion - 21 years, 144 days - 5/16/1998 - New England
20. Mikey Lopez - 21 years, 146 days - 7/16/2014 - Columbus

In all competitions, Nansel Selbol joined the list for youngest players to appear in a game for Sporting KC. Selbol at 19 years, 141 days came in at seventh place on the list. Blessing and Salloi are both players that could still jump onto this list in 2017.

Ten youngest to appear in a competitive game for KC.
1. Erik Palmer-Brown - 17 years, 24 days - 5/18/2014 - Chicago
2. Nino da Silva - 18 years, 158 days - 8/31/1997 - DC United
3. Yura Movsisyan - 18 years, 311 days - 5/13/2006 - DC United
4. Soony Saad - 19 years, 0 days - 8/17/2011 - Portland
5. Jon Kempin - 19 years, 51 days - 5/29/2012 - Orlando
6. Jake Dancy - 19 years, 137 days - 8/24/1997 - San Jose
7. Nansel Selbol - 19 years, 141 days - 10/19/2016 - Central FC
8. Jose Burciaga - 19 years, 184 days - 5/19/2001 - Chicago
9. Jimmy Medranda - 19 years, 212 days - 9/7/2013 - Columbus
10. Igor Julião - 19 years, 264 days - 5/14/2014 - Philadelphia
11. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 28 days - 3/27/2011 - DC United
12. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 35 days - 8/11/2012 - DC United
13. Mikey Lopez - 20 years, 97 days - 5/28/2013 - Des Moines
14. Chance Myers - 20 years, 124 days - 4/9/2008 - New England
15. Francisco Gomez - 20 years, 132 days - 6/6/1999 - Los Angeles
16. Daneil Cyrus - 20 years, 220 days - 7/23/2011 - Toronto
17. Peter Byaruhanga - 20 years, 325 days - 7/8/2000 - New York
18. Nick Garcia - 20 years, 351 days - 3/25/2000 - Chicago
19. Kevin Ellis - 20 years, 363 days - 6/28/2011 - Chicago PDL
20. Will John - 21 years, 29 days - 7/12/2006 - Des Moines

As with league appearances, no player made their way onto the list for starts in league play in 2017.

Ten youngest players to START a league match.
1. Erik Palmer-Brown - 17 years, 24 days - 5/18/2014 - Chicago
2. Yura Movsisyan - 18 years, 357 days - 6/28/2006 - DC United
3. Jose Burciaga - 19 years, 184 days - 5/19/2001 - Chicago
4. Igor Julião - 19 years, 264 days - 5/14/2014 - Philadelphia
5. Soony Saad - 19 years, 308 days - 6/20/2012 - Seattle
6. Nino da Silva - 20 years, 11 days - 6/6/1999 - Los Angeles
7. Jimmy Medranda - 20 years, 37 days - 3/16/2014 - Dallas
8. Jake Dancy - 20 years, 52 days - 5/31/1998 - Colorado
9. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 77 days - 9/22/2012 - Montreal
10. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 85 days - 5/23/2010 - Columbus
11. Chance Myers - 20 years, 127 days - 4/12/2008 - Houston
12. Daneil Cyrus - 20 years ,227 days - 7/30/2011 - New England
13. Francisco Gomez - 20 years, 228 days - 9/10/1999 - Colorado
14. Nick Garcia - 20 years, 351 days - 3/25/2000 - Chicago
15. Peter Byaruhanga - 20 years, 364 days - 8/16/2000 - San Jose
16. Michael Harrington - 21 years, 80 days - 4/14/2007 - DC United
17. Jon Kempin - 21 years, 130 days - 8/16/2014 - Toronto
18. Scott Vermillion - 21 years, 144 days - 5/16/1998 - New England
19. Mikey Lopez - 21 years, 146 days - 7/16/2014 - Columbus
20T. Vicente Figueroa - 21 years, 170 days - 4/10/1999 - San Jose
20T. Roger Espinoza - 21 years, 170 days - 4/12/2008 - Houston

In all competitions, Selbol again made his way onto the list, becoming the fourth youngest player to start a game in all competitions for KC.

Ten youngest players to START a competitive game for KC.
1. Erik Palmer-Brown - 17 years, 24 days - 5/18/2014 - Chicago
2. Yura Movsisyan - 18 years, 357 days - 6/28/2006 - DC United
3. Jon Kempin - 19 years, 51 days - 5/29/2012 - Orlando
4. Nansel Selbol - 19 years, 141 days - 10/19/2016 - Central FC
5. Jose Burciaga - 19 years, 184 days - 5/19/2001 - Chicago
6. Igor Julião - 19 years, 264 days - 5/14/2014 - Philadelphia
7. Soony Saad - 19 years, 286 days - 5/29/2012 - Orlando
8. Nino da Silva - 20 years, 11 days - 6/6/1999 - Los Angeles
9. Jimmy Medranda - 20 years, 37 days - 3/16/2014 - Dallas
10. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 45 days - 4/13/2010 - Colorado
11. Jake Dancy - 20 years, 52 days - 5/31/1998 - Colorado
12. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 77 days - 9/22/2012 - Montreal
13. Mikey Lopez - 20 years, 97 days - 5/28/2013 - Des Moines
14. Chance Myers - 20 years, 127 days - 4/12/2008 - Houston
15. Daneil Cyrus - 20 years ,227 days - 7/30/2011 - New England
16. Francisco Gomez - 20 years, 228 days - 9/10/1999 - Colorado
17. Nick Garcia - 20 years, 351 days - 3/25/2000 - Chicago
18. Peter Byaruhanga - 20 years, 364 days - 8/16/2000 - San Jose
19. Will John - 21 years, 62 days - 8/14/2006 - Chicago
20. Michael Harrington - 21 years, 80 days - 4/14/2007 - DC United

As for the oldest players to appear in a game for KC, two players joined the list in 2016, Brad Davis in his first appearance for the club immediately jumped onto the list and ended up finishing as the 10th oldest player to appear in a game for Kansas City. Further down the list, Paulo Nagamura got onto the list and finished as the 17th oldest player to appear in a game by the time he retired. With KC getting younger in the offseason there's no one that will be joining any of the lists in 2017 that is currently on the roster.

Ten oldest players to appear in a league game for KC.
1. Preki - 42 years, 113 days - 10/15/2005 - Dallas
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 121 days - 8/12/2001 - Colorado
3. Jimmy Nielsen - 36 years, 81 days - 10/26/2013 - Philadelphia
4. Peter Vermes - 35 years, 303 days - 9/20/2002 - Colorado
5. Tony Meola - 35 years, 179 days - 8/18/2004 - Columbus
6. Richard Gough - 35 years, 174 days - 9/26/1997 - Colorado
7. Kevin Hartman - 35 years, 152 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
8. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
9. Bo Oshoniyi - 34 years, 345 days - 10/14/2006 - New York
10. Brad Davis - 34 years ,321 days - 9/24/2016 - San Jose
11. Kerry Zavagnin - 34 years, 115 days - 10/25/2008 - New England
12. Paul Rideout - 34 years, 44 days - 9/27/1998 - San Jose
13. Julio Cesar - 33 years, 341 days - 10/24/2012 - Philadelphia
14. Refik Sabanadzovic - 33 years, 279 days - 5/8/1999 - Los Angeles
15. Jimmy Conrad - 33 years, 242 days - 10/12/2010 - Chicago
16. Josh Wolff - 33 years, 240 days -  10/23/2010 - San Jose
17. Paulo Nagamura - 33 years, 235 days - 10/23/2016 - San Jose
18. Mark Santel - 33 years, 65 days - 9/8/2001 - San Jose
19. Roy Lassiter - 33 years, 63 days - 5/11/2002 - Colorado
20. Uche Okafor - 33 years, 32 days - 9/9/2000 - Tampa Bay



Ten oldest players in all competitions for KC.
1. Preki - 42 years, 113 days - 10/15/2005 - Dallas
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 222 days - 11/21/2001 - Santos Laguna
3. Jimmy Nielsen - 36 years, 123 days - 12/7/2013 - Salt Lake
4. Peter Vermes - 35 years, 315 days - 10/2/2002 - Los Angeles
5. Tony Meola - 35 years, 214 days - 9/22/2004 - Chicago
6. Richard Gough - 35 years, 186 days - 10/8/1997 - Colorado
7. Kevin Hartman - 35 years, 152 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
8. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
9. Bo Oshoniyi - 34 years, 345 days - 10/14/2006 - New York
10. Brad Davis - 34 years, 321 days - 9/24/2016 - San Jose
11. Kerry Zavagnin - 34 years, 115 days - 10/25/2008 - New England
12. Paul Rideout - 34 years, 44 days - 9/27/1998 - San Jose
13. Julio Cesar - 33 years, 352 days - 11/4/2012 - Houston
14. Refik Sabanadzovic - 33 years, 279 days - 5/8/1999 - Los Angeles
15. Jimmy Conrad - 33 years, 242 days - 10/12/2010 - Chicago
16. Josh Wolff - 33 years, 240 days -  10/23/2010 - San Jose
17. Paulo Nagamura - 33 years, 239 days - 10/27/2016 - Seattle
18. Mark Santel - 33 years, 104 days - 10/17/2001 - Barcelona
19. Uche Okafor - 33 years, 68 days - 10/15/2000 - Chicago
20. Roy Lassiter - 33 years, 63 days - 5/11/2002 - Colorado

Ten oldest players to START a league game.
1. Preki - 42 years, 99 days - 10/1/2005 - Chicago
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 113 days - 8/4/2001 - Columbus
3. Jimmy Nielsen - 36 years, 81 days - 10/26/2013 - Philadelphia
4. Peter Vermes - 35 years, 303 days - 9/20/2002 - Colorado
5. Tony Meola - 35 years, 179 days - 8/18/2004 - Columbus
6. Richard Gough - 35 years, 174 days - 9/26/1997 - Colorado
7. Kevin Hartman - 35 years, 152 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
8. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
9. Bo Oshoniyi - 34 years, 345 days - 10/14/2006 - New York
10. Brad Davis - 34 years, 315 days - 9/18/2016 - Los Angeles
11. Kerry Zavagnin - 34 years, 67 days - 9/7/2008 - Houston
12. Paul Rideout - 34 years, 44 days - 9/27/1998 - San Jose
13. Julio Cesar - 33 years, 341 days - 10/24/2012 - Philadelphia
14. Refik Sabanadzovic - 33 years, 279 days - 5/8/1999 - Los Angeles
15. Jimmy Conrad - 33 years, 242 days - 10/12/2010 - Chicago
16. Paulo Nagamura - 33 years, 235 days - 10/23/2016 - San Jose
17. Josh Wolff - 33 years, 233 days - 10/16/2010 - New England
18. Mark Santel - 33 years, 38 days - 8/12/2001 - Colorado
19. Roy Lassiter - 33 years, 14 days - 3/23/2002 - Colorado
20. Uche Okafor - 32 years, 346 days - 7/19/2000 - New England

Ten oldest players to START a competitive game for KC.
1. Preki - 42 years, 99 days - 10/1/2005 - Chicago
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 222 days - 11/21/2001 - Santos Laguna
3. Jimmy Nielsen - 36 years, 123 days - 12/7/2013 - Salt Lake
4. Peter Vermes - 35 years, 315 days - 10/2/2002 - Los Angeles
5. Tony Meola - 35 years, 214 days - 9/22/2004 - Chicago
6. Richard Gough - 35 years, 186 days - 10/8/1997 - Colorado
7. Kevin Hartman - 35 years, 152 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
8. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
9. Bo Oshoniyi - 34 years, 345 days - 10/14/2006 - New York
10. Brad Davis - 34 years, 315 days - 9/18/2016 - Los Angeles
11. Kerry Zavagnin - 34 years, 67 days - 9/7/2008 - Houston
12. Paul Rideout - 34 years, 44 days - 9/27/1998 - San Jose
13. Julio Cesar - 33 years, 352 days - 11/4/2012 - Houston
14. Refik Sabanadzovic - 33 years, 279 days - 5/8/1999 - Los Angeles
15. Jimmy Conrad - 33 years, 242 days - 10/12/2010 - Chicago
16. Paulo Nagamura - 33 years, 239 days - 10/27/2016 - Seattle
17. Josh Wolff - 33 years, 233 days - 10/16/2010 - New England
18. Mark Santel - 33 years, 104 days - 10/17/2001 - Barcelona
19. Roy Lassiter - 33 years, 46 days - 4/24/2002 - Santos Laguna
20. Alex Bunbury - 32 years, 362 days - 6/14/2000 - Chicago Sockers

Ramone Palmer Leads Comets to Sixth Straight Win

On this birthday, Kansas City Comets forward Ramone Palmer threw himself a birthday party in Lakeland, Florida leading the Comets to a 7-6 win on the road, the Comets sixth straight win and eighth in their last nine scoring a goal and adding four assists for the Comets in the win over the Floirda Tropics. Palmer's outstanding performance was needed for the Comets who were without their leading scorer, Leo Gibson, who was suspended for card accumulation for the game leaving a hole in the Comets offense.

It didn't take long for Palmer to start to fill that hole as less than five minutes in he played a ball off the wall to the top of the box where Alain Matingou blasted the ball past familiar face, Marcel Feenstra who used to play for the Milwaukee Wave. The goal set off a frenzy of a first period that saw six goals scored between the two sides. The Tropics tied the game up before the mid-point of the period on a goal by Victor Rojas off a restart. The Comets came right back though retaking the lead less than a minute later as Bryan Perez picked out Odaine Sinclair completely unmarked on the back post on a restart and he just tapped the ball in. The Tropics tied the game again less than a minute after Sinclair put the Comets up and then with less than a minute left in the quarter took the lead 3-2 through Jowayne Laidley. The Comets though finished out the quarter level though thanks to a goal off a restart in the final 15 seconds as John Sosa picked out Lucas Rodriguez on the post and Rodriguez headed the ball in to end the quarter at 3-3.

The second quarter took a little longer to get going than the first but there was still a lot of scoring late as three goals in the final five minutes punctuated the second quarter. The Tropics scored a pair of goals by Marco Rodriguez and Victor Parreiras to put the Tropics 5-3. The Comets though pulled one back before the end of the half on the power play as a miss-hit shot by Ramone Palmer went right to Perez at the back post who knocked the ball home to make it 5-4 to the Tropics as the teams headed into half time.

The third quarter saw similar to the second taking a while for either team to get going offensively, but late on it was the Comets taking advantage as Palmer continued his good day, first with less than four minutes left beat a double team in the corner before laying a ball into the middle for Vahid Assadpour who scored to tie the game at 5-5. About a minute later the Comets were back in front as Palmer again beat his man in the corner and laid a pass off into the middle, this time it was Perez who was the recipient, who fired the shot high over Feenstra and in to make it 6-5 to the Comets heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter saw the Tropics push the game trying to get an equalizer but the Comets defense held up keeping Florida off the board. The Tropics were unable to take advantages of the chances they did get though, including one where Laidley stole the ball off Stephen Paterson's foot outside the box, but with an open goal, Laidley fired it over the bar. The Comets almost immediately came back down the field from that miss and Perez played a pass off the boards right to Palmer in the middle of the box who had an open goal after Feenstra committed to Perez. The birthday boy made no mistake making it 7-5 to the Comets. Things got tight with just over four minutes left as the Tropics scored with a sixth attacker as Anthony Arico scored to make it 7-6. The Comets defense held off the Tropics absorbing their high pressure and in the final few seconds had a break with only sixth attacker Parreiras back. Parreiras picked up a blue card for charging on the break giving the Comets a shootout attempt along with the power play. Assadpour had his shootout attempt saved by Feenstra, but was able to hold the ball in the Tropics defensive end for the final minutes to clinch the win.

Here are some stats from last night's game:

Bryan Perez had two goals and an assist (should be a second assist for Sinclair's goal) giving him 100 points (goals and assists) for his league career with the Comets.

His three point night allowed Perez to move past Brian Harris and into sixth place for total assists in all competitions with the Comets finishing the game with 46. It also tied him with Harris for assists in league play at 42.

Lucas Rodriguez's goal was his 74th in all competitions for the Comets, tying him with Brian Harris for fourth all time on that list.

Youngest and Oldest Goal Scorers for Kansas City

Another stats update, this time the youngest and oldest goal scorers for Kansas City.

In league play, two players joined the list, Jimmy Medranda and Diego Rubio. Medranda in his first season as a regular contributor for the first team scored from his left back position with a deflected shot in KC's 3-1 win over New York City FC. Rubio joined the list in his first season in KC. His time with the first team was limited due to Dom DWyer's continual strong play at the center forward position and then an ACL tear late in the season. There's still time for the likes of Daniel Salloi and Erik Palmer-Brown to join the list for KC as could new addition Latif Blessing.

1. Soony Saad - 19 years, 0 days - 8/17/2011 vs Portland
2. Yura Movsisyan - 19 years, 293 days - 4/25/2007 vs Toronto
3. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 56 days - 9/1/2012 vs Toronto
4. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 137 days - 7/14/2010 vs Columbus
5. Francisco Gomez - 20 years, 146 days - 6/20/1999 vs New York
6. Michael Harrington - 21 years,  80 days - 4/14/2007 vs DC
7. Scott Vermillion - 21 years, 243 days - 8/23/1998 vs Miami
8. Roger Espinoza - 21 years, 266 days - 7/17/2008 vs Columbus
9. Ryan Pore - 21 years, 344 days - 9/3/2005 vs New York
10. Eddie Johnson - 22 years, 1 day - 4/1/2006 vs Columbus
11. Chris Brown - 22 years, 31 days - 4/10/1999 vs San Jose
12. CJ Sapong - 22 years, 82 days - 3/19/2011 vs Chivas
13. Jimmy Medranda - 22 years, 154 days - 7/10/2016 Vs NYCFC
14. Jose Burciaga - 22 years, 223 days - 6/26/2004 vs San Jose
15. Matt McKeon - 22 years, 240 days - 5/22/1997 vs Columbus
16. Matt Taylor - 22 years, 246 days - 6/19/2004 vs New England
17. Vicente Figueroa - 22 years, 299 days - 8/16/2000 vs San Jose
18. Diego Rubio - 22 years, 348 days - 4/27/2016 vs Vancouver
19. Davy Arnaud - 22 years, 350 days - 6/7/2003 vs New York
20. Dom Dwyer - 23 years, 4 days - 8/3/2013 vs New York

In all competitions, Medranda also joined the list, coming in at 16th place on that list. Rubio didn't make it, but two other players did for their goals in KC's meaningless CONCACAF Champions League game against Central FC. Swope Park Rangers and former Sporting KC academy player, Nansel Selbol, on loan to Sporting KC scored the second goal of the game for KC, what proved to be the game winner. He became the second youngest player to ever score for KC in a game, behind only Soony Saad. In his final appearance for Sporting KC, Connor Hallisey also joined the list, scoring on a penalty kick for his first and only goal for the club putting him on the list.

1. Soony Saad - 19 years, 0 days - 8/17/2011 vs Portland
2. Nansel Selbol - 19 years, 141 days - 10/19/2016 vs Central FC
3. Yura Movsisyan - 19 years, 293 days - 4/25/2007 vs Toronto
4. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 45 days - 4/13/2010 vs Colorado
5. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 56 days - 9/1/2012 vs Toronto
6. Francisco Gomez - 20 years, 146 days - 6/20/1999 vs New York
7. Michael Harrington - 21 years,  80 days - 4/14/2007 vs DC
8. Scott Vermillion - 21 years, 243 days - 8/23/1998 vs Miami
9. Roger Espinoza - 21 years, 266 days - 7/17/2008 vs Columbus
10. Ryan Pore - 21 years, 344 days - 9/3/2005 vs New York
11. Justin Detter - 21 years, 363 days - 8/4/2004 vs Dallas
12. Eddie Johnson - 22 years, 1 day - 4/1/2006 vs Columbus
13. Matt McKeon - 22 years, 2 days - 9/26/1996 vs Dallas
14. Chris Brown - 22 years, 31 days - 4/10/1999 vs San Jose
15. CJ Sapong - 22 years, 82 days - 3/19/2011 vs Chivas
16. Jimmy Medranda - 22 years, 154 days - 7/10/2016 vs NYCFC
17T. Jose Burciaga - 22 years, 223 days - 6/26/2004 vs San Jose
17T. Rauwshan McKenzie - 22 years, 223 days - 6/30/2009 vs Minnesota
19. Matt Taylor - 22 years, 246 days - 6/19/2004 vs New England
20. Connor Hallisey - 22 years, 253 days - 10/19/2016 vs Central FC

For the oldest scorers for Sporting KC, two players joined the list in 2016 with another moving up the list. Brad Davis jumped onto the list in his only season in KC, coming in fourth overall behind only Preki, Mo Johnston, and Claudio Lopez. Further down the list, the returning Lawrence Olum joined the list coming in at 15th. Further down, Benny Feilhaber moved up from 19th to 17th on the list in 2016. Both Olum and Feilhaber will have the chance to move further up the list in 2016.

1. Preki - 42 years, 113 days - 10/15/2005 vs Dallas
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 5 days - 4/18/2001 vs Miami
3. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 vs DC
4. Brad Davis - 34 years, 175 days - 5/1/2016 vs LA
5. Paul Rideout - 34 years, 2 days - 8/16/1998 vs Columbus
6. Julio Cesar - 33 years, 211 days - 6/16/2012 vs Toronto
7. Josh Wolff - 33 years, 209 days - 9/22/2010 vs Houston
8. Jimmy Conrad - 33 years, 197 days - 8/28/2010 vs LA
9. Peter Vermes - 33 years, 188 days - 5/27/2000 vs Tampa
10. Kerry Zavagnin - 33 years, 27 days - 7/29/2007 vs Chivas USA
11. Mark Santel - 33  years, 24 days - 7/29/2001 vs New England
12. Roy Lassiter - 33 years, 183 days - 9/8/2001 vs San Jose
13. Paulo Nagamura - 32 years, 166 days - 8/15/2015 vs Vancouver
14. Alex Bunbury - 32 years, 57 days - 8/14/1999 vs New York
15. Lawrence Olum - 31 years, 345 days - 6/19/2016 vs Dallas
16. Diego Gutierrez - 31 years, 320 days - 9/18/2004 vs San Jose
17. Benny Feilhaber - 31 years, 278 days - 10/23/2016 vs San Jose
18. Birahim Diop - 31 years, 258 days - 10/23/2010 vs San Jose
19. Santiago Hirsig - 31 years, 247 days - 9/16/2009 vs Dallas
20. Omar Bravo - 31 years, 204 days - 9/23/2011 vs Philadelphia

In all competitions the same movement happened for all players with Davis in at fourth, Olum at 15th and Feilhaber at 17.

1. Preki - 42 years, 113 days - 10/15/2005 vs Dallas
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 5 days - 4/18/2001 vs Miami
3. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 vs DC
4. Brad Davis - 34 years, 234 days - 6/29/2016 vs Houston
5. Paul Rideout - 34 years, 2 days - 8/16/1998 vs Columbus
6. Julio Cesar - 33 years, 211 days - 6/16/2012 vs Toronto
7. Josh Wolff - 33 years, 209 days - 9/22/2010 vs Houston
8. Jimmy Conrad - 33 years, 197 days - 8/28/2010 vs LA
9. Peter Vermes - 33 years, 188 days - 5/27/2000 vs Tampa
10. Kerry Zavagnin - 33 years, 27 days - 7/29/2007 vs Chivas USA
11. Mark Santel - 33  years, 24 days - 7/29/2001 vs New England
12. Roy Lassiter - 32 years, 222 days - 10/17/2001 vs Barcelona
13. Paulo Nagamura - 32 years, 166 days - 8/15/2015 vs Vancouver
14. Alex Bunbury - 32 years, 57 days - 8/14/1999 vs New York
15. Lawrence Olum - 31 years, 345 days - 6/19/2016 vs Dallas
16. Diego Gutierrez - 31 years, 320 days - 9/18/2004 vs San Jose
17. Benny Feilhaber - 31 years, 278 days - 10/23/2016 vs San Jose
18. Birahim Diop - 31 years, 258 days - 10/23/2010 vs San Jose
19. Santiago Hirsig - 31 years, 247 days - 9/16/2009 vs Dallas
20. Mike Burns - 31 years, 245 days - 3/16/2001 vs W Connection

Myers Moves to Portland - Former SKC Wizards Update

Chance Myers officially joins the list of former Kansas City players.The former number one overall pick signed a free agent contract with the Portland Timbers this week, joining the 2015 MLS Cup champions. Myers departs Kansas City having appeared almost 150 times in league play for Sporting, playing over 10,000 minutes, scoring two league goals (both coincidentally against the Portland Timbers). Unfortunately he'd just been pushed out of his position as the starter at right back by Saad Abdul-Salaam, but Myers will be remembered for his time as part of arguably the best back four in MLS between 2011 and 2013 with Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin, and Seth Sinovic.

A lot of players were on the move this week, with Amobi Okugo re-signing with Portland, Bernardo Anor making his permanent move to Minnesota United official as well. In the lower leagues, both Mechack Jerome and Michael Kafari both re-signed with their NASL clubs. Abroad, Nuno Coelho turned his departure from Sporting into a move to GD Chaves in his native Portugal, while Milos Stojcev moved within the Greek league to relegation threatened Veria.

Internationally, Ever Alvarado and Jorge Claros both helped Honduras win the Copa Centroamericana as Honduras went 4-0-1 in the round robin tournament that was missing Guatemala due to FIFA suspension. Fellow former KC player, Pablo Punyed and El Salvador finished third and will be in this summer's Gold Cup because of their finish. Also a congratulations to Marcel de Jong for his 50th cap with the Canadian national team this past week as he captained Canada against Bermuda.

Here's the rest of this week's update.

Active without a club or unknown
Emmanuel Appiah
Vicente Arze
Omar Bravo
Amadou Dia
Pablo Escobar
Brian Fekete
Tomas Granitto
Connor Hallisey
Jeferson
Jon Kempin
Chris Konopka
Justin Mapp
Neven Markovic
Rauwshan McKenzie
Alex Molano
Victor Munoz
Jordi Quintilla
Brendan Ruiz
Michael Thomas

MLS
Jalil Anibaba - Houston - Offseason.
Bernardo Anor - Minnesota - Offseason.
Teal Bunbury - New England - Offseason.
Servando Carrasco - Orlando City - Offseason.
Aurelien Collin - New York - Offseason.
Marcel de Jong - Vancouver - Started and played 90 minutes in Vancouver's 4-2 win over Bermuda.
Michael Harrington - Chicago - Offseason.
Kei Kamara - New England - Offseason.
Alec Kann - Atlanta - Offseason.
Eric Kronberg - Montreal - Offseason.
Mikey Lopez - NYCFC - Offseason.
Yura Movsisyan - Salt Lake - Offseason.
Chance Myers - Portland - Offseason.
Amobi Okugo - Portland - Offseason.
Jacob Peterson - Atlanta - Offseason.
Tony Rocha - Orlando - Offseason.
CJ Sapong - Philadelphia - Offseason.
Sal Zizzo - New York - Offseason.

NASL
Mechack Jerome - Jacksonville - Offseason.
Michael Kafari - Puerto Rico - Offseason.
James Marcelin - Carolina - Offseason.

USL
Stefan Antonijevic - Tampa Bay - Offseason.
Amer Didic - Swope Park - Offseason.
Christian Duke - Swope Park - Offseason.
Cyprian Hedrick - San Antonio - Offseason.
Ryan James - Rochester - Offseason.
Alex Martinez - Charlotte - Offseason.
Nansel Selbol - Swope Park - Offseason.
Kris Tyrpak - San Antonio - Offseason.
Ualefi - Swope Park - Offseason.
Yomby William - Richmond - Offseason.

PDL
Adnan Gabeljic - San Francisco - Offseason.

Indoor
Jamar Beasley - Cedar Rapids - Did not play in either of Cedar Rapids' games.
Pat Healey - Baltimore - Played in Baltimore's 5-3 loss to Cedar Rapids and 7-2 loss to Milwaukee.
Mike Jones - Dallas - Did not play in Dallas' 12-5 win over El Paso.
Boris Pardo - San Diego - Did not play in San Diego's 5-2 win over Sonora.

International
Korede Aiyegbusi - AFC Eskilstuna City- Sweden - No game until 4/1.
Ever Alvarado - Olimpia - Honduras - Started and played 90 minutes in Honduras' 1-1 draw with Costa Rica. Did not dress in Honduras' 1-0 win over Belize.
Scott Angevine - YPA - Finland - Offseason.
Claudio Bieler - Belgrano - Argentina - No game until 2/11.
Reinaldo Brenes - Belen Siglo XXI - Started and played 45 minutes in Belen's 2-1 loss to Perez Zeledon. Came off the bench and played 28 minutes in Belen's 3-1 loss to Carmelita.
Sunil Chhetri - Bengaluru - India - Started and played 90 minutes in Bengaluru's 3-0 win over Mumbai. Started and played 90 minutes in Bengaluru's 2-1 loss to East Bengal.
Jorge Claros - Real Espana - Honduras - Started and played 90 minutes in Honduras' 1-1 draw with Costa Rica. Dressed but did not play in Honduras' 1-0 win over Belize.
Nuno Coelho - GD Chaves - Portugal - Did not play in Chaves' 2-0 win over Nacional.
Daneil Cyrus - W Connection - Trinidad - Defeated Morvant Caledonia United 3-0.
Toni Dovale - CD Leganes - Spain - Did not dress in Leganes' 2-2 draw with Deportivo Alaves.
Luis Gil - Queretaro - Mexico - Did not dress in either of Queretaro's games.
Faik Hajderovic - Vinograder - Croatia - No game until 2/25.
Will John - RoPS - Finland - No game until 1/28.
Igor Kostrov - Slavia-Mozyr - Belarus - Offseason.
Luis Marin - CD Temuco - Chile - No game until 2/4.
Michal Mravec - RoPS - Finland - No game until 1/28.
Krisztian Nemeth - Al-Gharafa - Qatar - Did not dress in Al Gharafa's 3-0 win over Al Shahaniya.
Akeem Priestley - Metapan - El Salvador - Did not dress in Metapan's 1-0 win over Dragon.
Pablo Punyed - IBV - Iceland - Dressed but did not play in El Salvador's 1-0 loss to Panama. Dressed but did not play in El Salvador's 1-0 win over Nicaragua.
Oriol Rosell - Belenenses (Sporting Club de Portugal)(loan) - Portugal - Came off the bench and played 15 minutes in Belenenses' 2-1 loss to Vitoria Setubal.
Soony Saad - Pattaya United - Offseason.
Peter Schmetz - Wuppertaler SV - Germany - No game until 2/18.
Yann Songo'o - Plymouth Argyle - England - Started and played 90 minutes in Plymouth's 1-0 loss to Liverpool. Started and played 90 minutes in Plymouth's 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town.
Kevin Souter - Deveronvale FC - Scotland - Lost 6-2 to Brora Rangers.
Martin Steuble - Ceres-La Salle - Philippines - No game until 2/20.
Milos Stojcev - Veria - Greece - Did not dress in Veria's 1-1 draw with Larissa. Dressed but did not play in Veria's 1-1 draw with Iraklis.
Matt Taylor - Kickers Offenbach - No game until 2/18.

Top Goal Scorers in All Competitions Through 2016

Continuing with stats, here is an updated list of Sporting KC goal scorers in all competitions.

1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 - 2013 - 2014  - 2015

1. Preki - 81 (71 league, 8 playoff, 1 open cup, 1 international) (-)

2. Dom Dwyer - 61 - (52 league, 2 playoff, 5 open cup, 2 international) (+2)

3. Davy Arnaud - 52 (43 league, 4 playoff, 5 open cup) (-1)

4. Josh Wolff - 46 (43 league, 1 playoff, 2 open cup) (-1)

5. Chris Klein - 43 (39 league, 3 playoff, 1 open cup) (-)

6. Kei Kamara - 41 (38 league 3 open cup) (-)

7. Mo Johnston - 32 (31 league, 1 playoff) (-)

8. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 31 (28 league, 2 playoff, 1 open cup) (-)

9. Scott Sealy - 30 (28 league, 2 open cup) (-)

10. Graham Zusi - 29 (26 league, 3 open cup) (-)

11. Benny Feilhaber - 28 (24 league, 3 open cup, 1 international) (+4)

12. CJ Sapong - 27 (20 league, 2 playoff, 5 open cup) (-2)

13. Teal Bunbury - 24 (19 league, 2 playoff, 3 open cup) (-1)

14T. Mark Chung - 21 (20 league, 1 playoff) (-1)

14T. Chris Brown - 21 (15 league, 1 playoff, 2 open cup, 3 international) (-1)

16. Igor Simutenkov - 20 (12 league, 3 playoff, 5 open cup) (-1)

17. Matt McKeon - 18 (13 league, 3 playoff, 1 open cup, 1 international) (-)

18T. Miklos Molnar - 17 (12 league, 5 playoff) (-)

18T. Eddie Johnson - 17 (17 league) (-)

18T. Jimmy Conrad - 17 (17 league) (-)

As with league play, Dom Dwyer moved into second for goal scoring for KC, he's now just 20 goals behind Preki in all competitions from catching KC's all time leading scorer. Elsewhere on the list, Graham Zusi broke his tie with CJ Sapong for 10th place on the list. Benny Feilhaber also moved past Sapong in 2016 in all competitions and is right at Zusi's heals for a top 10 spot. No new players joined the list in 2016, Peterson missed out, finishing two goals short. As for who can join in 2017, like with league play, it'll probably take a surprise coming in this season as the highest scoring player currently not on the list is Kevin Ellis with eight goals.

Kevin Ellis - 8
Ike Opara - 7
Lawrence Olum - 5
Roger Espinoza - 4
Matt Besler - 3
Seth Sinovic - 3
Diego Rubio - 3
Soni Mustivar - 1
Jimmy Medranda - 1
Cameron Porter - 1

Top League Scorers Through 2016

Continuing my stat updating, here is Sporting KC's top scorers through the 2016 season. For prior years, see the links below.

1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009 - 2010 - 2011 - 2012  - 2013 - 2014 - 2015

1. Preki - 71 (-)

2. Dom Dwyer - 52 (+4)

3T. Josh Wolff - 43 (-1)

3T. Davy Arnaud - 43 (-1)

5. Chris Klein - 39 (-1)

6. Kei Kamara  - 38 (-1)

7. Mo Johnston - 31 (-)

8T. Digital Takawira - 28 (-)

8T. Scott Sealy - 28 (-)

10. Graham Zusi - 26 (-)

11. Benny Feilhaber - 24 (+3)

12T. Mark Chung - 20 (-1)

12T. CJ Sapong - 20 (-1)

14. Teal Bunbury - 19 (-1)

15T. Eddie Johnson - 17 (-1)

15T. Jimmy Conrad - 17 (-1)

17. Chris Brown - 15 (-)

18. Jack Jewsbury - 14 (-)

19T. Matt McKeon - 13 (-)

19T. Jose Burciaga Jr. - 13 (-)

19T. Sasha Victorine - 13 (-)

19T. Claudio Lopez - 13 (-)

19T. Jacob Peterson - 13 (N/A) - A career year from "The Answer" in his final year in Kansas City sees Jacob Peterson make his way onto the list. Proving able to help take some of the goal scoring load off of Dom Dwyer in 2016. Peterson scored six goals, the second most on the team in 2016.

Dom Dwyer jumped up four more places in 2016 and became only the second player in club history to score 50 league goals for KC. Elsewhere, Benny Feilhaber jumped up three more spots and is closing in on the top 10, only two goals behind Graham Zusi for that spot. The most surprising of the moves came at the bottom of the list, where Jacob Peterson set a career high for goals, joining the list in a tie for 19th with Matt McKeon, Jose Burciaga Jr, Sasha Victorine, and Claudio Lopez. As for who could make the list in 2017, unless someone comes in and blows up, a new player joining the list seems unlikely. The highest currently active player not in the top 20 is Ike Opara, who has scored just six goals, followed by Lawrence Olum with five.

Here are the remaining players currently on KC that have scored goals.

Ike Opara - 6
Lawrence Olum - 5
Kevin Ellis - 5
Roger Espinoza - 4
Matt Besler - 3
Diego Rubio - 1
Jimmy Medranda - 1

Comets Win it Late Again

The Kansas City Comets once again pulled out a late victory, this time scoring with just 14 seconds left to defeat the Chicago Mustangs, 7-6 on the road. The win pushes the Comets win streak to five and sees them keep pace with the Cedar Rapids Rampage for first place in the MASL's Central Division.

KC fell behind less than three minutes in but a goal by Leo Gibson and a pair of goals by Vahid Assadpour put the Comets in front 3-1 in the second quarter. The Mustangs cut into the lead before half time, scoring on the power play to send the game into half time with the Comets up 3-2.

Early in the third quarter, Bryan Perez restored the Comets two goal lead. From there though the Mustangs took the game over, specifically Taylor Bond, who scored a natural hattrick in less than seven minutes of the third quarter to put the Mustangs on top 5-4. The Comets though pulled back level before the quarter was done, with Brian Harris scoring to level the score at 5-5 heading into the final quarter.

The Comets restored their lead near the midpoint of the period as Odaine Sinclair scored to make it 6-5 to the Comets. Bond though wasn't done, scoring a fourth goal as the Comets got caught in a line change and Bond scored just inside Stephen Paterson's far post. In the final minute though the Comets found the winner as Gibson fired a shot in after Assadpour had brought down a long pass.

This was the third straight game where the Comets have scored a late goal to get a win during their five game winning streak, but it's also the third straight time they've put themselves in the position of needing a late goal to get the win. In two of the past three games, the Comets have blown second half leads (San Diego and Chicago) allowing the opposing team to take the lead, requiring the late heroics. While it makes for an exciting finish, it's not something that the Comets can make a habit of as it's not going to be easy to put yourselves in the position of having to fight back each and every week.

Okugo's Rights Return to KC?

Some interesting news today that on the surface seems to be peak MLS, as Sporting KC apparently now have the MLS rights to Amobi Okugo again. At the end of the season, the Portland Timbers said that Okugo was out of contract with the club in their end of season roster announcement. Portland had said that they were interested in bringing Okugo back to the Timbers, in fact there were reports last night that it looked to be a done deal. This morning though a string of Tweets by Jeff Carlisle made the water murkier. Carlisle said that there was a hang up in the Okugo deal with Portland because while he was out of contract with the Timbers, he was apparently not out of contract with MLS and that his rights had reverted back to Sporting KC, who had waived the midfielder in early 2016. Carlisle continued, saying that Okugo was entering the third year of his three year contract that he had signed with Orlando back in 2015. The contract was guaranteed, meaning that he was still under contract to the league after Sporting had waived him (he played one game for the New York Red Bulls 2 in the 2016 USL season before signing with the Timbers). Carlisle finished saying that the hang-up has to do with which team is responsible for how much money in Okugo's new contract, presuming that KC could have to take some kind of hit because of the status of Okugo's contract when he was waived. Apparently the Timbers' commitment to Okugo was only for the 2016 season even though he still had a year on his contract.

Ives Galarcep jumped into the conversation, saying that the signing of Okugo was technically a loan and that at this point Okugo's rights reverted back to Kansas City, but that KC probably won't have to deal with Okugo's cap hit unless he is on the active roster and that his being waived released KC from being on the hook for his salary.

It seems a weird situation for all parties involved, but what it would seem to mean is that Portland would have to some how acquire Okugo's MLS rights from Kansas City to sign him to a new deal. That'd likely mean that KC would get some kind of throw away draft pick or at best some small amount of allocation money from the Timbers. With KC's current roster status it really doesn't make sense for them to bring back Okugo, especially on the deal that he was signed for, which was $300,000. Some times you got to love MLS's weird rules.

Comets Top Silver Knights Late

The Kansas City Comets continued their good run of form on Friday night with a come from behind win over the visiting Syracuse Silver Knights. The Comets, winners of three straight were trying to continue the run at home where they lost their last encounter to the Florida Tropics.

Alain Matingou picked up right where he left off last week when he scored a hattrick in San Diego as he set up the Comets first goal just over two minutes into the game, deflecting a clearance by the Knights keeper and pulling it back into the path of Leo Gibson who fired the shot off the post and in to put the Comets up 1-0. That was the only goal either team scored in the first period as the Knights kept the Comets at bay the rest of the quarter. This continued into the second as neither team found another goal until there were less than five minutes left as Stefanos Stamoulacatos fired in a shot after Bo Jelovac fired a pass off the wall right into his path. The tie game only lasted two minutes as Matingou received a ball outside the yellow line, raced in and fired a shot inside the far post to make it 2-1 Comets. Before half time though the Knights restored parity as Jelovac chipped a cross into the middle over Stephen Paterson and into the net.

The Knights came out as the stronger side in the second half and were rewarded for it five minutes in as Jake Schindler pounced on a loose ball that Paterson didn't hold after it came off the wall. Just over a minute later, the Knights doubled their lead as a long ball over the top found Jerjer Gibson who poked the ball past an on coming Paterson and into the net to make it 4-2. The Knights carried the lead into the fourth quarter where they added another goal to their lead just over half way through the period as Patrick Thompson beat Paterson from a tight angle as the Comets looked all out of sorts defensively without the suspended Robert Palmer. Down three goals with just over seven minutes left, the Comets went with the sixth attacker to try to get the offense back going. The move paid off immediately as the Comets were able to spread the field and after a Gibson shot was blocked, the rebound fell to Vahid Assadpour who blasted a shot from distance that went into the corner. Shortly after the goal the Knights got called for having too many men on the field, giving the Comets a power play and another chance to cut into the lead. On the power play the Comets had a number of efforts blocked by the Knights but shortly before the power play expired, Assadpour picked out Gibson at the top of the box. He touched the ball around an on rushing defender and fired it into the net to get the Comets within a goal. The Comets again went to the sixth attacker with less than four minutes left trying to find a way to tie the game up. With just over two minutes left the Comets were able to find the equalizer as a cross went all the way through the box to Bryan Perez on the back post. Perez had time to take a touch, look up and blast a shot over Andrew Coughlin and into the net to tie the game at 5-5. With the game tied, the Comets were able to bring out their high pressure more against the Knights, pressuring them in their own half of the field when they had the ball causing some turnovers. Off one of those giveaways the Comets scored what proved to be the game winner. John Sosa played a long ball into the corner where Gibson was able to bring the ball down, turn and square the ball across to Brian Harris who came running in, took a touch and fired it into the top corner to make it 6-5 to the Comets. The win has the Comets keep pace with the Cedar Rapids Rampage, who they're tied with for first place in the Central Division.

A Look at Sporting KC's Television Conflicts with the Royals

The Kansas City Royals today released the start times for all their games this season. This relates to Sporting KC because with Sporting's new television partnership with the Fox Sports Kansas City, the two are on the same network. In the agreement between Sporting KC and FSKC, should there be a conflict with the Royals, Sporting would be the ones that would jump to Fox Sports Kansas City Plus. When the schedule came out I'd mentioned that there were 19 dates when Sporting KC was not on national television that they and the Royals played on the same day, so how many times is Sporting set to move to Fox Sports Midwest Plus because of the Royals? Quite a bit by looking at the schedule.

Taking into account the Royals pregame and postgame shows that will presumably also bump Sporting KC, there are really only a couple handful of games that will be shown in their entirety on FSKC. KC has six games that are not on national television that don't conflict with a KC Royals game, three before the season starts (3/4 at DC, 3/11 vs Dallas, 3/18 vs San Jose), one in the middle of the season (7/6 vs Philadelphia), and two at the end of the season (10/15 vs Houston, 10/22 vs Salt Lake). The other 19 games are played on the same day as the Royals play. Sporting has said now that the Royals schedule is finalized, the club will be able to work with FSKC to finalize their television schedule.

Baseball games last just under three hours on average based on some of the searching that I've done, so factoring three hours in for the game, plus a half hour pregame and postgame show and the Royals take up at least a four hour time slot for every day they play. With a four hour time window, that means for every game where the Royals start before Sporting KC, Sporting will be starting on Fox Sports Midwest Plus, and then may jump over to FSKC once Royals post game is finished up (and vice versa if Sporting kick off first) according to what Thad Bell has heard. Of the 19 days, 13 of them have the Royals first pitch before KC starts, two times the Royals start after Sporting, and there are still four games that are currently TBD for the start time. For the games where the Royals start after, soccer games are generally about two hours and Sporting has a half hour pre-game and postgame show as well, meaning they'll need a three hour window for Sporting KC broadcasts.

So looking at the schedule, I see just a few days where both Sporting and the Royals play on the same day without stepping on each other’s toes. The first day is June 24th, when Sporting KC is in LA for a 9:30 kick off while the Royals have a 1:15 first pitch in Toronto against the Blue Jays. A three hour game for the Royals plus a half hour post game should see Sporting fine for their 9:30 kick off. The second one is going to be tight, but if the Royals play a fast game, May 27th. The Sporting has a 7pm kick off against the Colorado Rapids in Denver while the Royals have a 3:10 game at the Cleveland Indians. If that game can go under three hours, postgame would be done just before Sporting pregame starts, but if the Royals game runs long, pregame for SKC at least could be bumped. The third game is actually one where Sporting plays first, August 12th, when Sporting travels to Seattle for a 3pm kick off. The Royals first pitch is at 6:10 against the White Sox. Sporting's broadcast would start at 2:30, kickoff at 3, postgame around 5 should see it finish up just in time for Royals pregame to start on FSKC at 5:30, although it could be tight if things run long for the soccer game.

There is one other game that likely will work as well for Sporting and the Royal. Sporting's lone trip to Vancouver on May 20th is currently one of KC's four to be determined start times on the list due to Canadian television, the Royals meanwhile have a 1:10 first pitch at the Minnesota Twins. If the game in Vancouver follows what happened last year, the game kick off at 9:30 Central Time. This would make the trip to Vancouver like the trip to LA, as the Royals should be done by the time Sporting pregame is scheduled to start.

The other 15 games though look like they will be broadcasted (at least in part) on Fox Sports Midwest Plus and all of the games will be available via the Fox Sports Go mobile app. The good news is that most cable providers seem to have Fox Sports Midwest Plus available for customers to watch the games. The annoying thing for Sporting fans may be if FSKC decides to do like what Bell mentioned, and switch Sporting KC from one channel to another in the middle of a game. This is especially true if you're someone who likes to go out to watch away games.

Here's the full list of conflicts and start times.

4/15
Sporting KC at Portland 9:30
KC Royals vs Anaheim 6:15

4/22
Sporting KC at Dallas 7
KC Royals at Texas 7:05

4/29
Sporting KC vs Salt Lake 7:30
KC Royals vs Minnesota 6:15

5/3
Sporting KC vs New York 7:30
KC Royals vs Chicago White Sox 7:15

5/13
Sporting KC vs Orlando 6:30
KC Royals vs Baltimore 6:15

5/17
Sporting KC vs Seattle 7:30
KC Royals vs New York 7:15

5/20
Sporting KC at Vancouver TBD
KC Royals at Minnesota 1:10

5/27
Sporting KC at Colorado 7
KC Royals at Cleveland 3:10

6/10
Sporting KC vs Montreal TBD
KC Royals at San Diego 3:10

6/17
Sporting KC at San Jose 8
KC Royals at Anaheim 7:15

6/24
Sporting KC at Los Angeles 9:30
KC Royals vs Toronto 1:15

7/22
Sporting KC at Salt Lake 9
KC Royals vs Chicago 6:15

7/29
Sporting KC vs Chicago 7:30
KC Royals at Boston 6:10

8/12
Sporting KC at Seattle 3
KC Royals at Chicago 6:10

8/19
Sporting KC vs Dallas 7:30
KC Royals vs Cleveland 6:15

8/26
Sporting KC at Houston 8
KC Royals at Cleveland 6:10

9/6
Sporting KC at NYCFC TBD
KC Royals at Detroit 6:10

9/16
Sporting KC vs New England 7:30
KC Royals at Cleveland 6:10

9:30
Sporting KC vs Vancouver TBD
KC Royals vs Arizona 6:15

Quintilla on Trial in Finland - Former SKC Wizards Update

He spent a short time with Sporting KC, but Jordi Quintilla won his fair share of fans in KC, especially with his winning penalty in the 2015 US Open Cup final, many of whom still take to social media to advocate for his return to Sporting. Since he was waived by Sporting KC last June though, Quintilla has been unable to catch on with another club. That looks like it could possibly change in the near future as reports out of Finland are that the former Barcelona product is on trial with Finnish club, SJK. A fairly new club, founded in 2010, SJK has gotten all the way to the Finnish first division and won the title in their eighth season of existence.

Elsewhere, former Kansas City forward, Herculez Gomez has called it a day on his playing career. Going out a champion with the Seattle Sounders, Gomez has joined ESPN as a studio analyst.

Here is the rest of this week's update.

Active without a club or unknown
Bernardo Anor
Emmanuel Appiah
Vicente Arze
Omar Bravo
Nuno Coelho
Amadou Dia
Pablo Escobar
Brian Fekete
Connor Hallisey
Jeferson
Jon Kempin
Mechack Jerome
Chris Konopka
Justin Mapp
Neven Markovic
Rauwshan McKenzie
Victor Munoz
Chance Myers
Amobi Okugo
Jordi Quintilla
Brendan Ruiz

MLS
Jalil Anibaba - Houston - Offseason.
Teal Bunbury - New England - Offseason.
Servando Carrasco - Orlando City - Offseason.
Aurelien Collin - New York - Offseason.
Marcel de Jong - Vancouver - Offseason.
Michael Harrington - Chicago - Offseason.
Kei Kamara - New England - Offseason.
Alec Kann - Atlanta - Offseason.
Eric Kronberg - Montreal - Offseason.
Mikey Lopez - NYCFC - Offseason.
Yura Movsisyan - Salt Lake - Offseason.
Jacob Peterson - Atlanta - Offseason.
Tony Rocha - Orlando - Offseason.
CJ Sapong - Philadelphia - Offseason.
Sal Zizzo - New York - Offseason.

NASL
Michael Kafari - Puerto Rico - Offseason.
James Marcelin - Carolina - Offseason.

USL
Stefan Antonijevic - Tampa Bay - Offseason.
Amer Didic - Swope Park - Offseason.
Christian Duke - Swope Park - Offseason.
Tomas Granitto - Swope Park - Offseason.
Cyprian Hedrick - San Antonio - Offseason.
Ryan James - Rochester - Offseason.
Alex Martinez - Charlotte - Offseason.
Alex Molano - Swope Park - Offseason.
Nansel Selbol - Swope Park - Offseason.
Michael Thomas - Oklahoma City - Offseason.
Kris Tyrpak - San Antonio - Offseason.
Ualefi - Swope Park - Offseason.
Yomby William - Richmond - Offseason.

PDL
Adnan Gabeljic - San Francisco - Offseason.

Indoor
Jamar Beasley - Cedar Rapids - Did not play in Cedar Rapids' 3-2 shootout loss to Tacoma.
Pat Healey - Baltimore - Had an assist in Baltimore's 5-2 win over Harrisburg.
Mike Jones - Dallas - Did not play in Dallas' 12-5 win over Turlock.
Boris Pardo - San Diego - Played in San Diego's 7-6 loss to Kansas City.

International
Korede Aiyegbusi - AFC Eskilstuna City- Sweden - No game until 4/1.
Ever Alvarado - Olimpia - Honduras - Started and played 90 minutes in Honduras' 2-1 win over Nicaragua. Dressed but did not play in Honduras' 2-1 win over El Salvador. Started and played 90 minutes in Honduras' 1-0 win over Panama.
Scott Angevine - YPA - Finland - Offseason.
Claudio Bieler - Belgrano - Argentina - No game until 2/11.
Reinaldo Brenes - Belen Siglo XXI - Started and played 90 minutes in Belen's 1-1 draw with Herediano.
Sunil Chhetri - Bengaluru - India - Started and played 90 minutes in Bengaluru's 2-0 win over Chennai City.
Jorge Claros - Real Espana - Honduras - Dressed but did not play in Honduras' 2-1 win over Nicaragua. Started and played 90 minutes in Honduras' 2-1 win over El Salvador. Started and played 90 minutes in Honduras' 1-0 win over Panama.
Daneil Cyrus - W Connection - Trinidad - Defeated Defence Force 4-1 and St. Ann's Rangers 1-0.
Toni Dovale - CD Leganes - Spain - Dressed but did not play in Leganes' 0-0 draw with Athletic Club.
Luis Gil - Queretaro - Mexico - Did not dress in Queretaro's 0-0 draw with Morelia.
Faik Hajderovic - Vinograder - Croatia - No game until 2/25.
Will John - RoPS - Finland - No game until 1/28.
Igor Kostrov - Slavia-Mozyr - Belarus - Offseason.
Luis Marin - CD Temuco - Chile - No game until 2/4.
Michal Mravec - RoPS - Finland - No game until 1/28.
Krisztian Nemeth - Al-Gharafa - Qatar - Did not dress in Al Gharafa's 2-2 draw with Al Mu'aidar.
Akeem Priestley - Metapan - El Salvador - Did not play in Metapan's 2-1 win over Chalatenango.
Pablo Punyed - IBV - Iceland - Dressed but did not play in El Salvador's 0-0 draw with Costa Rica. Came off the bench and played 29 minutes in El Salvador's 2-1 loss to Honduras. Came off the bench and played 24 minutes in El Salvador's 3-1 win over Belize.
Oriol Rosell - Belenenses (Sporting Club de Portugal)(loan) - Portugal - Came off the bench and played 13 minutes in Belenenses' 1-0 win over Rio Ave.
Soony Saad - Pattaya United - Offseason.
Peter Schmetz - Wuppertaler SV - Germany - No game until 2/18.
Yann Songo'o - Plymouth Argyle - England - Started and played 90 minutes in Plymouth's 4-2 win over Stevenage.
Kevin Souter - Deveronvale FC - Scotland - Game this week canceled.
Martin Steuble - Ceres-La Salle - Philippines - No game until 2/20.
Milos Stojcev - Atromitos - Greece - Did not dress in Atromitos' 2-1 loss to Panionios.
Matt Taylor - Kickers Offenbach - No game until 2/18.

Dwyer Closing in On Citizenship and He Deserves a Look When He Gets It

During MLS media day today, Dom Dwyer let it be known that he is closing in on US citizenship. Having had his green card, making him a permanent resident in the United States since 2012. Dwyer has had his green card for five years next month, making him eligible to become a US citizen. Dwyer confirmed today that his paper work is ready to be filed in February to apply for citizenship. He also confirmed that he has been in contact with US Soccer and is working with the federation on his FIFA paperwork that would allow him to represent the United States at the international level. FIFA rules require him also to be a permanent residence in the country for five years after he turns 18, which he will meet in the next month.

So the question becomes is he good enough to represent the United States at the international level? If he'd been a US citizen last year, he would have been the highest scoring American player in MLS with his 16 goals, four better than Chris Pontius, who was the highest scoring American last season. He's scored 52 goals in his MLS career, 50 in the last three seasons, the only player with more goals in that stretch is Bradley Wright-Phillips who has scored 68.

He may not be among the top tier of talent for Bruce Arena with the likes of Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood, and a healthy Clint Dempsey, but you'd have to think he'd immediately be able to slot in that second tier with the likes of Gyasi Zardes, Jordan Morris, and Chris Wondolowski. Surely Dwyer could step in and keep Wondolowski from continuing to get call ups, or keep Alan Gordon, who received a call up for the last set of World Cup qualifiers as an injury replacement, from being called up again. Dwyer's draw back is that he's not as versatile in his positioning for the US team as some other players are. Dwyer's not shown himself to be adapt at playing the outside forward position, at least in Peter Vermes' system. Maybe in the US system he could, but he's mainly a center forward. He's shown to be a guy that will fight and scrap with the center backs for other teams usually a head taller than him.

The worry that this will bring for KC fans with his potential citizenship is another player lost to international duty. With the Gold Cup this summer, KC could be decimated by call ups, potentially losing over half of a potential starting 11. KC could lose two-thirds of their attack (Dwyer and Graham Zusi), potentially their entire starting midfield (Roger Espinoza, Benny Feilhaber, and Soni Mustivar, and potentially a center back (Matt Besler) all for the Gold Cup. It'd be a move that would certainly test Sporting KC's depth for their game against the Philadelphia Union on July 6th, two days before the US kick off in the Gold Cup.

Dwyer though certainly deserves at least a look at the national team level once his citizenship is finalized, even if it means KC has to rely on someone other than Dwyer to play center forward for a game or two as he's on national team duty.

Sporting Select Goalkeeper David Greczek with Final Superdraft Pick

Sporting Kansas City had one selection on the second day of the MLS Superdraft, selecting Rutgers goalkeeper, David Greczek with the 14th pick of the third round, the 58th selection overall. Greczek started all four years at Rutgers, appearing 75 times for the Scarlet Knights. Greczek spent time in the New York Red Bulls academy as well as training with New York City FC in 2015.

The 22 year old though seems to have an uphill path to make Sporting KC, with the club already having three goalkeepers under contract for 2017 in Tim Melia, Andrew Dykstra, and Adrian Zendejas. He may have a shot though at making the Swope Park Rangers, where the club has yet to sign any goalkeeper as of yet (although the expectation is that Zendejas will go on loan there for most/all of the USL season to get playing time). What it does do, is give Sporting KC another body in goal early on in preseason, which is something the club always likes to have.

A Look at Sporting's Roster Before Preseason

Sporting Kansas City kicks off preseason in Arizona in a week, with the season just around the corner, Sporting already has a fairly full complement of players on their roster. Currently the club has 27 of 28 roster spots filled and also has the club's first round pick, Colton Storm heading into preseason. On the surface it would seem that there are not a lot of question marks regarding who is going to be on the roster in 2017. With preseason looming, here's a look at the Sporting KC roster as it stands right now in terms of depth.

Goalkeeper

Returning: Tim Melia

In: Andrew Dykstra, Adrian Zendejas

Out: Alec Kann, Jon Kempin

Probably the straightest forward of KC's positions heading into 2017, but also one with some of the most turnover from the 2016. Out is Alec Kann, last season's back up as he was selected by Atlanta United in the expansion draft, and KC's first homegrown player, Jon Kempin. In their place, KC brought in Andrew Dykstra through the Re-Entry Draft and Adrian Zendejas from the Swope Park Rangers.

Tim Melia is probably still the expected starter in goal for Kansas City in 2017; he currently has a 22-19-9 record in goal for KC. He's likely be backed up primarily by Dykstra, who KC selected in the second stage of the Re-Entry draft. Dykstra fell down the depth chart last season at DC United after allowing four goals in DC's opener against LA. Ben Olsen went with Travis Worra the next week and Worra performed well enough to keep the starting job over Dykstra until Bill Hamid was back, then becoming the primary back up. Dykstra has been a career back up in his MLS career and will provide some more experience in goal for competitions like the US Open Cup when Melia is likely to get a break. Zendejas will likely fill the same role as Kempin did last year. He'll go on loan to the Swope Park Rangers where he'll be the presumed starter. He won't return to play for Sporting unless there is an injury to Dykstra or Melia, allowing him to get games, which is the most important thing for him now.

Depth chart
1. Melia
2. Dykstra
3. Zendejas

Defense

Returning: Saad Abdul-Salaam, Matt Besler, Kevin Ellis, Jimmy Medranda, Lawrence Olum, Ike Opara, Erik Palmer-Brown*, Seth Sinovic

In: Igor Juliao, Tyler Pasher, Colton Storm

Out: Chance Myers, Nuno Coelho

Kansas City wasn't a bad defensive team in 2016, they allowed the sixth fewest goals in the league in 2016, certainly not the level most fans have come to expect, but certainly not bad either. The issue for Kansas City last year was consistency in their center back pairing. I feel like a broken record the number of times I've said it, but KC used seven different center back combinations in 34 league games, no combination played more than 11 games together. Consistency at center back would make Kansas City better as a whole. KC returns four of five center backs from last season, plus the return of Erik Palmer-Brown from loan. On paper, it would seem that Matt Besler and Ike Opara are the favorites to start the season at center back together with Kevin Ellis, Lawrence Olum, and Palmer-Brown backing them up. After his return from loan, most Sporting fans seem excited about the prospect of Palmer-Brown winning the starting job in 2017, even though he'll miss a chunk of the preseason with the US U20 team for World Cup qualifying and possibly the U20 World Cup this summer. The problem could come this summer with Palmer-Brown and Matt Besler both potentially missing time while on national team duty, something that will cause more inconsistency with the back line.

All of KC's roster moves on defense this winter have been on the wings. Gone is veteran Chance Myers, whose return looked extremely unlikely at the end of the season, and became basically non-existent when the club brought Igor Juliao back on loan. Myers' time in KC was bookended by injury issues, but the stretch from 2011 through 2013 when he was healthy; there were very few right backs in the league better than him. He'll be remembered well for that time, but with Saad Abdul-Salaam taking his spot, there wasn't a reason to use his $200,000 plus cap hit on a reserve. Behind Abdul-Salaam is the returning Juliao, who hopefully has improved his defensive work while back in Brazil, as that was the trouble during his first stint with KC. After Juliao things are interesting as you have Graham Zusi, Sporting's right winger, but now playing right back with the US team, and showed well during his few experiences there with KC last season. He could certainly drop back to right back as well more regularly giving KC another option. That makes the acquisition of Colton Storm, a defender most people expect to play as a right back, all the more interesting with three other options there currently.

Storm could be an option at left back as well according to Peter Vermes, but KC isn't thin there either. The starting position at left back isn't as clear as on the right with Seth Sinovic and Jimmy Medranda both spending time at the position last year. Towards the end of the season, Sinovic was preferred to Medranda as the starter, and Besler looked much more comfortable with Sinovic next to him at left back compared to how he played with Medranda. If it comes down to a better unit, Medranda could be the one backing up Sinovic for the better of the back line as a whole. Then again, maybe a full preseason with Besler and Medranda working together would give the two a better partnership. At the same time you have comments from the team that they see Medranda's future up the field in a more attacking position, which could leave an opening behind Sinovic. Behind those two you could see a spot for Storm, as a third left back, but he could also be pushed down there because of the earlier signing of Tyler Pasher from the Swope Park Rangers. While Pasher played predominately as a winger for the Rangers, his lone appearance for Sporting KC last year, a CONCACAF Champions League game, came as the left back for Vermes. I have a feeling that Vermes sees Pasher as a hybrid that could play both positions at the MLS level. With his age Pasher could also be a candidate to spend a portion of the season on loan with SPR to get him more games and playing time. However it is, with KC's current depth at outside back, and Storm being without a contract right now, his chances of making the roster can't be guaranteed at this point.

Depth Chart
LB
1. Sinovic
2. Medranda
3/4. Pasher/Storm

CB
1. Besler
2. Opara
3. Ellis
4. Palmer-Brown
5. Olum

RB
1. Abdul-Salaam
2. Juliao
3. Zusi
4. Storm

Midfield

Returning: Roger Espinoza, Benny Feilhaber, Benji Joya, Soni Mustivar, Lawrence Olum

In: Ilie Sanchez

Out: Paulo Nagamura, Emmanuel Appiah

Midfield is probably the one area that Kansas City really could stand to add further depth at this point. With the recent signing of Ilie Sanchez, KC now has six players who would predominately play midfield. Yes there are other options, like Graham Zusi, but right now these six are the depth for KC in midfield. Of the six of them, Benny Feilhaber and Roger Espinoza look firmly entrenched in their starting spots in Vermes' three man midfield. Behind both of them, it looks like the Sanchez addition is going to push Soni Mustivar the most of the three. Mustivar struggled at times last year with some of his passing; there were a few examples late in the season of him just playing the ball right to the other team. Competition for spots is certainly a good thing, as it'll lead to both raising their game.

Feilhaber and Espinoza though don't have a lot of competition to start over either, both have nice big contracts at this point, so while they could bring in some, these two look set to start. Behind them is Benji Joya, brought in late last season to the team, Joya made no league appearances, but did make one CCL appearance and in it looked calm and comfortable on the ball. He's mentioned liking to play deeper, but could be a good replacement for Feilhaber if need be. If Vermes wants to play him deeper, in more of Espinoza's role, he could drop Zusi back and slide him into the middle into Feilhaber's position.

Olum didn't see a lot of time in midfield for KC last season, spending most of his time on the field in defense, but he's still an option for Vermes in the midfield, although probably less now with the addition of Sanchez.

Depth Chart
A-mid
1. Feilhaber
2. Zusi
3. Joya

Box-to-Box
1. Espinoza
2. Feilhaber
3. Joya

D-mid
1/2. Mustivar/Sanchez
3. Feilhaber
4. Olum

Forward

Returning: Dom Dwyer, Cameron Porter, Diego Rubio, Daniel Salloi*, Graham Zusi

In: Latif Blessing, Gerso Fernandes, Cameron Iwasa, Tyler Pasher, Christian Volesky

Out: Bernardo Anor, Brad Davis, Connor Hallisey, Justin Mapp, Jacob Peterson

The position that needed the most makeover for Sporting KC looks to have gotten it ahead of the 2017 season. Kansas City now has 10 players who predominately play one of their three attacking positions, plus another (Medranda) who the club has said they see playing further up the field. That's a lot of players battling for playing time in only three positions. One of those players, Diego Rubio, will be out until at least the summer recovering from his ACL tear leaving a little extra playing time in there, but it's certainly an influx of new blood into the KC attack. On one level it almost sort of feels like Vermes is throwing a bunch of things against the wall and seeing who actually sticks. Other than Gerso Fernandes none of the new players are going to be extremely expensive, and Latif Blessing is the only other one of the five that is on a multi-year contract. If someone doesn't work out, KC certainly has some outs in their attack.

The big question for all the new talent is if someone can provide the secondary goal scoring for Dwyer that KC lacked last year. Sporting needs to get more goal production than they did from the wing position last year, the club can't afford another season where the second leading scorer has just six goals in a Western Conference that already looks to be improving from top to bottom. The hope is that new designated player, Fernandes can help with that although he hasn't been much of a goal scorer in his career, and his speed is something that KC hasn't had up top in a long time and could surprise and stretch some defenses in 2017, something Sporting hasn't had the ability to do. Opposite him it's assumed will be Zusi, who while playing right back with the US at times seems likely to keep his right wing position for his club.

Behind those three things become a little more muddied, with all the new players available, and returning talent. KC still has Cameron Porter and the returning Daniel Salloi, both of them can play in the middle and out wide for Sporting, giving them versatility. The same can be said for the likes of Cameron Iwasa who did it with Sacramento. Latif Blessing with his size seems destined for the wing and one has to hope he can translate some of his scoring in Ghana to MLS. With Pasher, KC has another player who can play on either wing, but can also drop deep. The only one that really seems to be a pure center forward is Christian Volesky, who would seem to give KC a big body to throw up top when they need a different style of hold up play. We saw last season with Dwyer and Rubio that Vermes tends to leave Dwyer on the field most of the time, although Volesky's lack of MLS experience is certainly a little worrisome if Dwyer picks up some sort of injury.

While there are still questions about the front line, I do like the influx of speed that has been added to the team, it will add a different dynamic to the front line, KC won't always have to do the patient build up out of the back, instead KC can look to strike on the counter, and actually be dangerous on the counter with the speed. The one big question is whether all 10 of these players actually make it to opening day. Having 10 players for three positions, even with the advantage of having the Rangers to get players playing time seems too much if players remain healthy. I could see this as an area that KC could trip the roster in preseason.

Depth chart

LW
1. Fernandes
2. Blessing
3. Pasher
4. Iwasa/Porter

CF
1. Dwyer
2. Rubio (IR)
3. Volesky
4. Salloi

RW
1. Zusi
2. Blessing
3/4. Iwasa/Porter

Overall I'm torn on this team right now. I like the additions that the team has made; I feel that they're the right ones to make, bringing in the right type of players. At the same time I'm still concerned about KC's ability to improve on their performance from last year. So far many of the teams that finished below KC are making additions that are needed to improve their rosters to compete for a playoff spot in 2017. KC was able to get into the playoffs in 2016, but has the roster improved enough to keep them in the playoffs in 2017? That's the question right now and it's a hard one to answer until we see the team on the field. Vermes has infused some young talent into a veteran squad, if the young talent can step up to fill holes, the team could be in a really good place. If the young players don't mesh well, then the team is going to have struggles like they did last year.

The thing with the way the current roster is made up, is that the club doesn't have a lot of room for flexibility right now, they currently only have one roster spot still open right now and are currently over their max of eight internationals. They'll need to get that corrected before the March 1st roster compliance deadline. They have a few ways to do that, whether it is by getting rid of a current international player, trading for another international roster spot from another club, or one of their current internationals (Blessing, Fernandes, Juliao, Medranda, Mustivar, Pasher, Rubio, Salloi, and Sanchez) could get their green card, knocking them down to eight (Pasher still counts as an international as he doesn't qualify as a Canadian domestic player).

We'll see how preseason affects the depth charts once we see some of these new players in with Sporting.

Single Season Appearances/Starts

More stat updating, this one a quick one because there was only one change to the list in 2016. This is appearances and starts in a single season.

For league appearances, Dom Dwyer made the list in 2016, appearing in 33 of KC's 34 league games. He's the only player from the 2016 season to make any of these lists.

CJ Sapong - 2011 - 34
Jimmy Nielsen - 2012 - 34
Jimmy Nielsen - 2013 - 34
Kei Kamara - 2012 - 33
Dom Dwyer - 2014 - 33
Dom Dwyer - 2016 - 33
Preki - 1996 - 32
Mark Chung - 1996 - 32
Mark Chung - 1997 - 32
Nick Garcia - 2000 - 32
Peter Vermes - 2000 - 32
Bo Oshoniyi - 2005 - 32
Davy Arnaud - 2006 - 32
Matt Besler - 2011 - 32
Graham Zusi - 2011 - 32
Graham Zusi - 2012 - 32
Seth Sinovic - 2013 - 32
Benny Feilhaber - 2015 - 32
Matt Besler - 2015 - 32

No additions to the list of appearances in all competitions in 2016, the closest was Dwyer who appeared in 36 of KC's 41 games.

Oriol Rosell - 2013 - 42
Seth Sinovic - 2013 - 42
Dom Dwyer - 2014 - 41
Nick Garcia - 2000 - 40
Peter Vermes - 2000 - 40
Chris Brown - 2002 - 40
CJ Sapong - 2011 - 40
Jimmy Nielsen - 2012 - 40
Kerry Zavagnin - 2000 - 39
Preki - 2000 - 39
Chris Henderson - 2000 - 39
Kerry Zavagnin - 2002 - 39
Matt Besler - 2011 - 39
Graham Zusi - 2012 - 39
Jimmy Nielsen - 2013 - 39
Aurelien Collin - 2013 - 39
Seth Sinovic - 2014 - 39

No one made the list for starts in league play either, Dwyer was again the closest, starting 31 of the games in 2016.

Jimmy Nielsen - 2012 - 34
Jimmy Nielsen - 2013 - 34
Preki - 1996 - 32
Mark Chung - 1996 - 32
Mark Chung - 1997 - 32
Nick Garcia - 2000 - 32
Peter Vermes - 2000 - 32
Bo Oshoniyi - 2005 - 32
Matt Besler - 2011 - 32
Kei Kamara - 2012 - 32
Matt Besler - 2015 - 32

Across all competitions, the closest anyone came to making the list was Roger Espinoza who started 34 of KC's games in 2016.

Oriol Rosell - 2013 - 41
Seth Sinovic - 2013 - 41
Nick Garcia - 2000 - 40
Peter Vermes - 2000 - 40
Jimmy Nielsen - 2012 - 40
Kerry Zavagnin - 2000 - 39
Kerry Zavagnin - 2002 - 39
Jimmy Nielsen - 2013 - 39
Aurelien Collin - 2013 - 39
Seth Sinovic - 2014 - 39

Most Starts

Another set of stats, this time the most starts for Sporting KC in league play and in all competitions.

In league play one new player joined the list in 2016, Benny Feilhaber hit 100 starts in league play. Elsewhere on  the list, Matt Besler moved into sixth place and should become the fifth player to hit 200 league starts for KC in 2017. In fact, if Besler happens to start all 34 league games for KC in 2017 (something he hasn't done in his career) he would tie Kerry Zavagnin for the most starts in league play in KC's history. More likely he ends the 2017 season in third place and makes his run on number one in 2018. Joining the list in 2017, there is only one player with a shot at that, that's Dom Dwyer, who is just three starts away from joining the list.

Kerry Zavagnin - 228
Nick Garcia - 224
Davy Arnaud - 213
Jimmy Conrad - 203
Preki - 199
Matt Besler - 194
Chris Klein - 183
Graham Zusi - 155
Jack Jewsbury - 142
Mo Johnston - 142
Roger Espinoza - 140
Seth Sinovic - 128
Jimmy Nielsen - 128
Michael Harrington - 128
Josh Wolff - 128
Matt McKeon - 126
Tony Meola - 125
Chance Myers - 114
Benny Feilhaber - 110
Jose Burciaga - 110
Diego Gutierrez - 108
Uche Okafor - 107
Sean Bowers - 104
Aurelein Collin - 103
Dom Dwyer - 97
Lawrence Olum - 57
Kevin Ellis - 53
Tim Melia - 50
Soni Mustivar - 44
Ike Opara - 39
Saad Abdul-Salaam - 36
Jimmy Medranda - 30
Erik Palmer-Brown - 6
Diego Rubio - 3

Across all competitions in 2016, two players made their 100th start for Kansas City, Dwyer made the list this time, as did Paulo Nagamura, who just got onto the list in his final season as a player. Further up the list, Besler moved all the way up to fourth and should easily be in the top three by the end of 2017, although he'll need another full season to make a good run on Zavagnin at the top of this list. Graham Zusi should become eighth player to start 200 games in all competitions this season. It seems unlikely that someone will join the list in 2017 as the closest are Lawrence Olum and Kevin Ellis who need to start 28 and 29 games respectively to make the list.

Kerry Zavagnin - 281
Nick Garcia - 272
Davy Arnaud - 234
Matt Besler - 231
Preki - 229
Jimmy Conrad - 228
Chris Klein - 216
Graham Zusi - 186
Jack Jewsbury - 162
Roger Espinoza - 160
Seth Sinovic - 160
Matt McKeon - 159
Mo Johnston - 157
Tony Meola - 156
Josh Wolff - 144
Michael Harrington - 143
Jimmy Nielsen - 142
Chance Myers - 139
Diego Gutierrez - 135
Benny Feilhaber - 134
Aurelien Collin - 129
Jose Burciaga - 123
Uche Okafor - 116
Dom Dwyer - 114
Sean Bowers - 113
Kei Kamara - 108
Bo Oshoniyi - 105
Mark Chung - 103
Paulo Nagamura - 102
Sasha Victorine - 102
Kevin Hartman - 100
Lawrence Olum - 72
Kevin Ellis - 71
Tim Melia - 58
Soni Mustivar - 55
Ike Opara - 49
Saad Abdul-Salaam - 42
Jimmy Medranda - 33
Erik Palmer-Brown - 9
Diego Rubio - 7
Cameron Porter - 3
Tyler Pasher - 1
Benji Joya - 1