For the Glory KC Chad and Sheena Smith

S3E28 - For the Glory KC is back with the 93rd episode of the show! 

Sporting Kansas City played a lot of games since we last recorded a podcast. Five to be exact. And we just took off one week for our Canadian vacation! Sheena and I discuss our trip to the great white north, Banff, Vancouver, Albert, British Columbia and more.

Then we get down to the soccer, starting with that 1-1 draw against rivals St. Louis City SC. To lead off the game, we had to discuss Thor getting away with a challenge that should have seen him sent off for a second yellow at the very least.

Beyond the STL/SKC game, Sheena and I debated the future of Remi Walter with Sporting KC. His contract is up after the season, and he'll turn 30 early next year. With the emergence of Jake Davis in his natural midfield role, Memo Rodriguez being a stable backup, the impending signing of a TAM level midfielder and his $900,000 salary, does Remi still have a place on Sporting KC?

In addition to the St. Louis game, we talk about our experience seeing the Vancouver Whitecaps game in person. Plus, we breeze through the two FC Dallas games and the San Jose Earthquakes game, which were all victories, from while the podcast was on its break. Are we the reason for the losing?

Then we had to talk about those sweet, sweet retro kits and accessories!

In the Digital Crawl, we touch on a few topics, including:


USMNT fire Gregg Berhalter
KC Current sign and loan out a player
SKC II results
A new youngest player in MLS history debuts
Lots of United States youth National Team competition updates

Here is a rundown of topics (and approximate start times):


We went to Canada - 2:16
SKC draw St. Louis - 10:45
Remi's KC future - 22:54
SKC lose to Vancouver in front of us - 46:11
A bunch of other SKC games - 54:41
Injury depletion and random midfield thoughts - 1:03:06
Retro Kits - 1:13:17
Digital Crawl - 1:22:55

Upcoming Schedule:


SKC II vs. St. Louis City II - Sunday, July 21st at 6:00 PM CDT
USMNT U-20s vs. Cuba - Monday, July 22nd at 9:00 PM
USMNT U-23s vs. France - Wednesday, July 24th at 2:00 PM
USWNT vs. Zambia - Thursday, July 25th at 2:00 PM
USMNT U-20s vs. Costa Rica, Thursday, July 25th at 9:00 PM
USMNT U-23s vs. New Zealand - Saturday, July 27th at 12:00 PM
KC Current vs. Tigres - Saturday, July 27th at 7:00 PM (Summer Cup)
Sporting KC vs. Chicago Fire - Sunday, July 28th at 8:00 PM (Leagues Cup)

We recently turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and are a fan of the pod, we'd appreciate your donation.

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled dot com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortheglorykc/support

S3E27 - For the Glory KC is back with the 92nd episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City had a busy week both on and off the field. Primarily, this week's episode is focused on the off the field matters due to recording schedules. We're heading out of the country early in the week and may be taking a brief hiatus from podcasting, so be sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch when the next episode comes out.

This week, Sporting KC introduced Mike Burns as their new Sporting Director and he and Peter Vermes covered a lot of interesting topics at the introductory press conference. There were budgets (the largest ever), staffing updates, player signing plans and more.

Then things got really interesting when Sam McDowell of the KC Star sat down with managing owner Mike Illig and Peter Vermes to get deeper into the weeds. He has a must-read article outlining the utter lack of a budget since 2020. It sheds a new light into who is to blame for how things have worked around Sporting KC the last couple years. Vermes isn't guilt free, but Sheena and I go over the ways things have been handled that were beyond Peter's control.

I'm personally thankful for this ownership group rescuing the Kansas City Wizards and doing an amazing rebrand, building a soccer specific stadium and all the success they've brought over the years. But that story Vermes told about ownership passing on a DP striker in 2018 because they were already in first place, makes me think there would be a third star about the crest if things were handled differently.

The hope is, going forward, ownership gives the budget and gets out of the way and lets the soccer minds handle things. And if they are given a fair shot to fix some things they weren't given a fair shot at before, and they don't fix it, then ownership can step in and make a change.

Listen in for all the details and quotes.

We also briefly discuss Sporting KC's loss to the Colorado Rapids but move quickly to the Missouri side of the border to talk the Kansas City Current. Unfortunately, the losing on the Kansas side trickled over and the KC Current's unbeaten run came to a rather uninspiring end against the Orlando Pride. The fans in the stadium were lighting up the ref, but was it really the refs fault?

Plus, a fun little Temwa Chawinga/Vlatko Andonovski story that is inspiring for KC's future.

In the Digital Crawl, go quite a bit deeper than usual on a few topics, including:


USMNT bombing out of Copa America
Logan Ndenbe injury update!
SKC II results and an all-star call-up
CPKC stadium hosting the NWSL Championship
Lots of little KC Current stories
And Bradley Carnell is fired in St. Louis

Here is a rundown of topics (and approximate start times):


KC Current Media Game - 2:18
Does Sporting KC have an ownership problem? - 8:29
SKC lose to the Rapids in Colorado - 46:33
KC Current’s streak is over vs Orlando - 55:58
Digital Crawl - 1:17:48

Upcoming Schedule:


Sporting KC vs. FC Dallas - Sunday, July 7th @ 7:30 PM
SKC II at Tacoma Defiance - Sunday, July 7th @ 9:00 PM
Sporting KC vs. FC Dallas (US Open Cup) - Wednesday, July 10th @ 8:00 PM
Sporting KC at San Jose Earthquakes - Saturday, July 13th @ 9:30 PM
SKC II at The Town - Sunday, July 14th @ 7:00 PM

We recently turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and are a fan of the pod, we'd appreciate your donation.

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled dot com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortheglorykc/support

S3E26 - For the Glory KC is back with the 91st episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City got themselves back in the win column this week for just the fourth time this season. On Saturday night, they shut out Austin FC 2-0, just their second shutout in 21 tries this season. The victory was picked up by quality finishing and even better defense.

It also feels like someone over at Sporting KC in the technical staff may be listening to the podcast. Last week, we put out a loose plan for going forward in 2024. Stop playing guys that'll be gone after the year, unless you are trying to see if you need to bring them back. It wasn't perfect, as Andreu Fontas found the bench, but Johnny Russell and Tim Melia still started. Russell played lights out and Melia had very little to do since Austin only mustered two shots.

SKC also played the midfield trio of Nemanja Radoja, Erik Thommy and Jake Davis, a group I've personally been clamoring to see together more. Davis did well to make up that ground coverage that Remi Walter supplies and a touch of physicality in the midfield this team doesn't have outside of Memo Rodriguez. The game also saw the return of Alan Pulido and Tim Leibold from injury, with Leibold scoring the game winner.

Walter, Daniel Salloi and Robert Castellanos were all listed as questionable, but they all sat out the game.

Speaking of physicality, it reminds us immediately of the retirement of Roger Espinoza. He was honored before the game and spoke to the media at halftime and a little in the locker room.

The conversation wouldn't be complete without all the front office movement from the week. Brian Bliss is out, and Mike Burns is in, though not in exactly the same job. We'll have a better understanding of Burns' role after the Tuesday press conference as Peter Vermes asked we avoid asking about Burns in the post-game presser. Sheena and I give our initial impressions on the hiring and firing, knowing more information is coming down the line.

The Kansas City Current continue to set records and hold back the opposition. In the past week they went to the Portland Thorns and won 4-1 and then returned home for a 2-0 win over the Houston Dash. We share our thoughts on those games, Temwa Chawinga, the river 'goal' and so much more.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit a few other topics, including:


Two NWSL coaching firings, both with KC ties
A Memo Rodriguez transfer rumor
The USMNT's up and down week at Copa America
USWNT Olympic Roster is out
and Kamron Habibullah is midseason MLS Next Pro MVP

Here is a rundown of topics (and approximate start times):


Sporting KC win! - 6:44
SKC do some hiring and firing in the front office - 45:58
KC Current win twice! - 1:14:15
Digital Crawl - 1:31:18

Upcoming Schedule:


SKC II vs. Austin FC II - Sunday, June 30th @ 6:00 PM CDT
USMNT vs. Uruguay - Monday, July 1st @ 8:00 PM
Sporting KC at Colorado Rapids - Thursday, July 4th @ 8:30 PM
KC Current vs. Orlando Pride - Saturday, July 6th @ 6:30 PM
Sporting KC vs. FC Dallas - Sunday, July 7th @ 7:30 PM
SKC II at Tacoma Defiance - Sunday, July 7th @ 9:00 PM

We recently turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and are a fan of the pod, we'd appreciate your donation.

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled dot com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortheglorykc/support

S3E25 - For the Glory KC is back with the 90th episode of the show! Things get weird as we recorded waaay after dark.

Sporting Kansas City had another rough week. So much, that my co-host preferred we "just get it over with" on Saturday night versus waiting to do a podcast on Sunday. Despite that, we have a lot of thoughts about the losses to Real Salt Lake and the Columbus Crew. I'd like to think it was more about the catharsis of getting some of these thoughts out, while they are fresh in our minds. For a deeper tactical breakdown, check out the Home and Away podcast.

Amazingly, it's not all bad. For years we've criticized when SKC just did the same thing over and over and expected different results. At least they tried some things.

There were massive lineup changes in both games including rolling out a 3-4-3/5-4-1 against the Crew. Andreu Fontas seemingly got benched (until an injury). Kayden Pierre made consecutive starts at right back (and may have broken a bone). Both goalkeepers got starts, allowed four goals, and stunningly were some of the better players in those games. Young players got extensive minutes at forward too.

This episode has some venting. It has some rants. It even has a bit of a plan for what we'd like to see from Sporting KC for the rest of 2024, since ownership made it clear Peter Vermes is safe.

We also had to learn a little bit about the Keepers of the Spoon. Sporting KC are dangerously close to the bottom of the table and fans will probably need to read up on how that Wooden Spoon 'trophy' works. Is it a trophy? Is there more than one of them? We have the answers, but until then, thankfully, the San Jose Earthquakes still exist.

The Kansas City Current have some nuggets, but we recorded before their game. Double coverage next week!

In the Digital Crawl, we hit a few other topics, including:


Failed Sporting KC transfer rumor
SKC Injury Update
KC Current Injury Update
Failed KC Current transfer rumor
SKC U-17s and MLS Next Cup
Kei Kamara breaking records
And we snuck in this story

Here is a rundown of topics (and approximate start times):


Sporting KC lose to RSL - 7:06
What is the Wooden Spoon? - 28:42
Then SKC lose to Columbus - 32:09
My first rant of the podcast - 41:36
Second rant of the podcast - 55:05
A bit of a plan for the rest of 2024 - 1:08:27
Sheena wants you to boycott - 1:14:14
Digital Crawl - 1:27:08

Upcoming Schedule:


KC Current at Portland Thorns - Sunday, June 23rd @ 3:00 PM CDT
USMNT vs. Bolivia - Sunday, June 23rd @ 5:00 PM
Sporting KC II at St. Louis City II - Sunday, June 23rd @ 6:00 PM
USMNT vs. Panama - Thursday, June 27th @ 5:00 PM 
KC Current vs. Houston Dash - Friday, June 28th @ 7:00 PM
Sporting KC vs. Austin FC - Saturday, June 29th @ 7:30 PM
SKC II vs. Austin FC II - Sunday, June 30th @ 6:00 PM

We recently turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and are a fan of the pod, we'd appreciate your donation.

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled dot com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortheglorykc/support

S3E24 - For the Glory KC is back with the 89th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City have returned to their losing ways, unfortunately. After a hopeful win at home against the Seattle Sounders, they dropped a result to the LA Galaxy 4-2 in California. There were some interesting lineup choices, lots of standing around on the first goal and lots of things to talk about that are pretty negative from the game.

However, was there something to build on? The underlying numbers are actually not that bad. Sporting KC were creating chances, they just didn't finish them. That, sadly, feels like progress from all these games where it felt like they can't even get a decent shot off. The issue is, it's all too late as the season is in the back half and they just lost again.

Unfortunately, we have to talk about the elephant in the room that is Felipe Hernandez. He was suspended for the second time for gambling related violations. It really feels like we'll never see Felipe in a Sporting KC uniform again. The question is, what sort of punishment is he in for? I'd assume he'll not be allowed to play in Major League Soccer, but how far or wide could a ban/suspension go?

Then we talk about the Peter Vermes interview in the KC Star with Daniel Sperry about the upcoming transfer window. On the pod we try to look long-term since any move will come too late in the season if the team hasn't already gone on a great winning streak. Vermes mentions the need for an attacking midfielder, in somewhat of a contrast to what Mike Illig said last week about needing a winger and a central defender.

The Kansas City Current unfortunately couldn't carry Kansas City soccer this weekend settling for a 2-2 draw to the Chicago Red Stars. It led to a discussion about rivalries in the NWSL. It sort of feels like the only rival the Current have right now, is the referees.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit a few other topics, including:


SKC II lose
Camille Ashton found a new, very similar, NWSL job
SKC injury updates for Salloi, Remi and Rosero
A KC Current injury update for Vanessa DiBernardo
Lots of US Soccer news
and Pitchside Coffee by several KC Current players

Here is a rundown of topics (and approximate start times):


Sporting KC lose again - 4:41
Felipe Hernandez suspended - 27:41
Vermes gives a transfer update - 44:01
KC Current draw at home - 58:05
Digital Crawl - 1:07:22

Upcoming Schedule:


Sporting KC vs. Real Salt Lake - Wednesday, June 19th @ 7:30 PM CT
Sporting KC at Columbus Crew - Saturday, June 22nd @ 6:30 PM
KC Current at Portland Thorns - Sunday, June 23rd @ 3:00 PM
Sporting KC II at St. Louis City II - Sunday, June 23rd @ 6:00 PM

We recently turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and are a fan of the pod, we'd appreciate your donation.

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled dot com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortheglorykc/support

S3E23 - For the Glory KC is back with the 88th episode of the show! 

Sporting Kansas City ended the streak! For the second straight season (let's not make it three, please) Sporting KC ended a 10-game winless run with a victory over the Seattle Sounders. This time, it was seven straight losses, so a win was a massive relief.

The question is, can Sporting KC sustain this success? They got the game winning goal against a 10-man Seattle side and their expected goals (xG) was actually lower than Seattle's. Then again, confidence can do wonders. The release of emotions from the players both on and off the field showed how much it meant to all of them.

The victory comes on the same day that Sam McDowell put out a fantastic story in the KC Star about a sit-down interview with managing owner Mike Illig. Mike, son of Cliff Illig, told Sam that he had no plans to fire Peter Vermes and wanted him to run a rebuild over the next three transfer windows (through the summer of 2025).

Infamously, Peter Vermes signed a five-year contract extension after missing the playoffs in 2022 that just kicked in this year. He's signed through the 2028 season, and it always sort of felt like they wouldn't pay him for four-and-a-half years of nothing, plus pay another coach.

Sheena and I weigh in on the story, Peter handling the rebuild, the targeted positions of center back and winger (no midfielders?) this summer. Fontas and Russell are probably approaching the end of their SKC careers, so replacing them makes sense. Ignoring the midfield is concerning though.

Before listening, I encourage you to read the whole story over at the Star.

We also address the rumor that Robert Castellanos has interest from Chivas (Liga MX).

And the Kansas City Current just keep winning! This time 5-2 at home over the Seattle Reign to climb back to the top of the NWSL standings. There were new starters, new goal scorers, a testing of the team's depth and the return of orchestrated celebrations by captain Lo LaBonta.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit a few other topics, including:


SKC II keep winning
Important moments for Pulskamp and Russell
Gianluca Busio gets promoted
Two more coaches are fired in MLS
and an NWSL attendance record

Here is a rundown of topics (and approximate start times):


Sporting KC defeated the Sounders(again) - 7:21
Vermes’ job is safe - 25:16
Robert Castellanos Transfer Rumor - 47:47
KC Current crush the Reign - 55:43
Digital Crawl - 1:09:53

Upcoming Schedule:


USA U-23s vs. Japan, Tuesday, June 11th @ 7:00 PM CT
USMNT vs. Brazil, Wednesday, June 12th @ 6:00 PM
Sporting KC II at Real Monarchs, Wednesday, June 12th @ 6:00 PM
Euros 2024 Starts Friday at 2:00 PM - Germany vs. Scotland
KC Current vs. Chicago Red Stars, Friday, June 14th @ 7:00 PM
Sporting KC at LA Galaxy, Saturday, June 15th @ 9:30 PM

We recently turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and are a fan of the pod, we'd appreciate your donation.

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled dot com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortheglorykc/support