I Kinda Gadi Feeling Where SKC Can Go

Sporting Kansas City fans, here is your first ever team specific blog post on mlsaces.com. I’m not sure about the number of SKC podcast listeners or blog readers we have, but I want more! Sporting KC is one of those teams that is almost impossible to hate. They do things right, have a good academy system, play bigger than their market, have some trophies, and I mean… who doesn’t love Peter Vermes?!?

But some big news dropped yesterday that Sporting Kansas City will be without star DP midfielder Felipe Gutierrez for whatever this 2020 MLS summer tournament will look like. Gutierrez will be out for 7-9 months due to a successful knee surgery. I put out a blog post a few days ago regarding the situation around the LA Galaxy and Aleksandar Katai. Now this situation is different for a few reasons. First, the Galaxy were able to clear up a roster spot and some salary. Second, the Galaxy have a huge reputation around them. Finally, the Galaxy are the Galaxy, the league will let them spend big to bring another stud to the Galaxy. The artist formerly known as the Wiz are not the same as the Galaxy. SKC need to look within to replace a big talent instead of going out and signing a former USMNT player or someone falling out of favor in Liga MX. 

Sporting KC have a few options to replace the 2019 Team MVP, but it’ll be tough. Last season, Felipe was able to lead a struggling side with 12 goals and 1 assist in 38 games through MLS action, U.S. Open Cup games, as well as CONCACAF Champions League. I think that when fully healthy, it is clear that SKC’s starting midfield three is; Illie Sanchez, Roger Espinoza, and Felipe Gutierrez. Illie and Roger are still there and will lead, but who is going to take over at the 10, or at least in another offensive threatening position in the midfield. When looking internally at this SKC club I’m down to four players, a few being more likely than others.

Extremely Unlikely: Wan Kuzain 

The 21 year old Kuzain has been around this SKC club for a few years now, logging 61 games for the USL Championship side and 8 games for the first team. Playing primarily as a defensive midfielder, I doubt that Vermes brings him in as the main Felipe replacement but you can’t deny the kid’s talent. Though he isn’t a goal scoring threat on the spreadsheet he has proven to be able to score. Five USL Championship goals, one coming in crunch time of USL Playoffs, along with one MLS goal shows his ability to somewhat get the ball in the back of the net. Now like I said, I wouldn’t expect a major uptick in Kuzain’s MLS minutes… but maybe we see a double pivot of him and Illie with Roger playing in front.

Unlikely: Felipe Hernandez

Hernandez has been another kid who has put in his work at Sporting Kansas City II. In his time with SKCII he has been able to be a more reliable goal scorer AND a facilitator. With 92 USL Championship games under his belt, he’s racked up 13 goals and 14 assists. But Hernandez has struggled to make his way into their first team, only making 2 appearances. Now, could I just brain storm a bit and think it could be due to an old guard of SKC players still having the reigns? Yeah. But has his dedication and performances within this organization enough to get him a shot in the XI or even the 18? We will see what Vermes has instore. 

More Likely: Gianluca Busio

Busio’s stock has seem to fallen in the past two years or so, but there is no denying that this kid can BALL! Also… the kid is still only 18 years old! He’s an 18 year old with over 35 appearances on his club’s first team, that’s big. And this could be a big moment for Busio to take that next step forward and shut up the haters. This is the scenario I’d love to see; from a USMNT point of view and from a MLS fan point of view, I need this! If for any reason Gianluca reads this, man listen to me, I’m a big ass fan of yours… TAKE. THIS. MOMENT!  Take your 4 career goals and 3 career assists and double that shit for whatever this 2020 tournament looks like. 

Most Likely: Gadi Kinda

I would have had Busio as my most likely pick if Gadi didn’t do what he did in the first two MLS games. Gadi hit two goals and one of them being an absolute BANGER!!! The former Isreali youth international is now in his prime and playing for Sporting Kansas City. Two games played for SKC and now two career goals for SKC. IT WASN’T EVEN 180 MINUTES OF ACTION! IT WAS 59 MINUTES! Imagine you can get him on and starting? Come on now Peter, put this man in the XI. Illie, Roger, and Gadi can make some things move for this tournament… play having Busio off the bench, what could go wrong?!