For the Glory KC Chad and Sheena Smith

S3E17 - For the Glory KC is back with the 82nd episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City are officially 10 games into their 2024 season and it's a benchmark that Peter Vermes likes to focus on. The team is 2-3-5 (11 points) and sitting in 10th place. It's better than last season, but that's an incredibly low bar to clear.

We asked Peter Vermes how he felt about where the team was, and his answers left something to be desired. My colleague Jimmy Mack Tweeted out the quotes.

Sheena and I weigh in the quotes, the play against Minnesota United FC in the 2-1 loss and the rumor from Taylor Twellman that signings are coming in the summer and where we'd like to see those signings. Oh, and we have to talk about this meme-worthy image and subsequent work from Offside Modeling that confirmed it was onside.

The Kansas City Current thankfully brought us happier things to talk about in their 3-1 come-from-behind win over Angel City FC in Los Angeles on Friday night. Plus, we went to Game One of the KC Comets attempt to win the Ron Newman Cup in the MASL Final on Sunday afternoon. Game two is Tuesday.

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


The new KC Current development around the stadium
Dom Dwyer signing with the Oakland Roots
The Major of Indianapolis Talking MLS Expansion
Former KC player signings in MLS and the USL Super League

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


Our Experience with the MASL Finals and the KC Comets - 2:03
Sporting KC lose to MIN - 8:28
Taylor Twellman says SKC signings are coming - 46:22
The KC Current make a Big Comeback - 53:03
It’s not all good news around the Current - 1:07:57
Errors and Corrections are back - 1:12:20
Digital Crawl - 1:17:19

Upcoming Schedule:


KC Comets at Chihuahua Savage - Tuesday, April 30 @ 9:05 PM CT
Sporting KC at Real Salt Lake - Saturday, May 4th @ 8:30 PM 
KC Current at Houston Dash - Sunday, May 5th @ 12:00 PM 
Sporting KC II host North Texas SC - Sunday, May 5th @ 6:00 PM

Spotify took away our ads, so we 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.

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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S3E16 - For the Glory KC is back with the 81st episode of the show! Sort of...

[This is a weird request, but if this is the first time you've ever listened to the podcast, don't. There are some audio issues, and I wouldn't want to leave you with a bad impression. Sheena and I's audio tracks are out of sync and I'm responding to things she said, but she hasn't said them yet because of a delay. We recorded on Sunday night, and she hasn't had time to re-record. We polled Twitter and they said release it, so here you go!]

Sporting Kansas City ended their homestand leaving us wanting more. We commiserated on what went wrong on the goals as well as what went right on the ones Sporting KC scored. But we simply can't avoid discussing Peter Vermes' somewhat stunning postgame comments after the draw against St. Louis City SC. He either thinks the media, or the fans, are too worried about not closing out games. But he isn't worried. Wild! We have thoughts!

Then, much like PV snuck into his presser, Sporting KC were playing against more than just St. Louis City. He didn't say it, but he meant the referees. It was one of the worst officiated games in recent memory. Alan Chapman called ticky tack fouls early, nothing for a huge stretch, then back to the ticky tack at the end. Inconsistent. 21 fouls to St. Louis. No yellows during the run of play. No persistent infringement. Either let them be physical or don't.

And Taylor Twellman, noted St. Louis native, and about everyone else who isn't a St. Louis mark thought this Klauss challenge on Willy Agada was a foul. But Chapman saw nothing in it, immediately calling it shoulder to shoulder, and a goal was scored right after.

I will say, this gif some St. Louis fan made was pretty amazing.

Thanks goodness there are other KC soccer teams though. The Kansas City Current continued their winning ways with a 5-2 thrashing of Bay FC. Sheena has found her favorite KC Current player and it's an embarrassment of riches on that talented team. In sad news from the game, Alex Loera announced she tore her ACL against her former club and will miss the rest of the season.

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


When Sporting KC can sign players next
SKC's trip to Union Omaha for the US Open Cup
Ozzie Cisneros going out on loan
SKC II's game and a signing
Loera's ACL tear

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


I Refereed a game! - 2:08
SKC/St. Louis atmosphere, chants, tifos and a draw - 6:10
Peter Vermes thinks we’re too worried about the blown leads - 22:49
PRO: Consistently Inconsistent - 34:34
Kortne Ford retires - 47:16
Thank God for the KC Current - 50:39
Competing KC soccer events - 1:04:26
What is the MLS Icon rule? - 1:10:24
Digital Crawl - 1:13:15

Upcoming Schedule:


KC Current at Angel City FC - Friday, April 26th @ 9:00 PM
Sporting KC at Minnesota United - Saturday, April 27th @ 7:30 PM
KC Comets vs. Chihuahua Savage - Sunday, April 28th @ 4:05 PM

Spotify took away our ads, so we 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.

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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S3E15 - For the Glory KC is back with the 80th episode of the show!

I'm not sure if you heard, but Sporting Kansas City were out here setting records last night. 72,610 fans were in attendance inside Arrowhead stadium to witness Sporting KC take on Lionel Messi and friends on Inter Miami CF. The end result was a loss, but were there 'wins' to be had?

On this week's episode, Sheena talks about her experience in the stands contrasting to my experience from behind the scenes and in the press box. From the atmosphere to the amount of pink/Messi jerseys, there were a lot of off the field items to discuss.

But it wouldn't be a For the Glory KC if we don't actually talk about the soccer. We get into the 'only three mistakes,' according to Peter Vermes that Sporting KC made, to the things that went very right and all the in between stuff.

There is talk about a goalkeeper change. A change at striker (Sheena wants to go pretty far here). Subpar refereeing from Victor Rivas. Remi Walter in a walking boot and an update on his status. Pitch invaders. And we can't avoid the problem with Sporting KC dropping points, particularly at home.

After the game, there is a bit rumor that came out this week from The Athletic. Fairly substantial rule changes could be coming to Major League Soccer. Weirdly the rules look to be changing this summer, mid-season. I'll explain what they are and start to get into out Sporting KC can potentially benefit. Come back to the KC Soccer Journal later this week for a deeper look at that possibility and a robust explainer if you are into that sort of thing.

Then we switch over to talk about the Kansas City Current's first non-win of the season as they held on for a draw against NJ/NY Gotham.

In the Digital Crawl, we go longer on fewer topics:


USWNT winning the SheBelieves Cup
Could the Swope Park Rangers return?
Did SKC handle the 'retro' aspect of the SKC/Miami game well?

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


Getting on Channel 5 News - 1:26
The Atmosphere - 3:33
Messi Jersey Exchanges - 17:18
Sporting KC drop all three against Miami - 20:54
Vermes Out? - 1:00:37
New, semi-large rules changes are coming to MLS - 1:01:57
KC Current’s perfect season ends - 1:12:26
Digital Crawl - 1:21:01

Upcoming Schedule:


KC Comets @ Utica City FC, Monday, April 15th at 5:00 PM CT (CBS Sports Golazo Network)
KC Current vs. Bay FC, Saturday, April 20th at 6:30 PM
Sporting KC vs. St. Louis City, Saturday, April 20th at 7:30 PM

Spotify took away our ads, so we 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.

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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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortheglorykc/message
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S3E14 - For the Glory KC is back with the 79th episode of the show!

Sheena and her casual takes are back! Two weeks of no regular co-host was weird. So, let's get weird in a different way with a late-night podcast recording session.

We start the show with Sporting Kansas City who have found a way to drop nine points in just seven games from a winning position. It's definitely better than how 2023 started, but it feels like a lot of miss opportunities.

The game started so good with a 3-0 Sporting KC lead that evaporated into a 3-3 draw. It feels like there is plenty of praise for how it started, but also plenty of blame for what went down. The game devolved into the second straight collapse in the second half at home. At least they didn't lose to the Portland Timbers like they did to the LA Galaxy.

Peter Vermes didn't pull punches after the game saying the team did the exact opposite of what they discussed at halftime. But, how much of that is on Peter? We have some thoughts.

Some of that blame ends up on Willy Agada for missing the net by a good yard on what may have been the game winning penalty kick. That said, he still scored twice, making it three goals this season in just 283 minutes compared to just one goal in 425 minutes for Designated Player Alan Pulido. Is it time for a change at center forward, even if Pulido is healthy?

And it's almost time to retire a segment that Sheena hates, the "Messi Update." Inter Miami are coming to Kansas City in less than a week and the question remains if Lionel Messi will be on the field. Sporting KC have bet the house on it.

In the Digital Crawl, we touch on the following topics:


SKC II win!
Jake Davis and April Fools Day
SKC Academy
Roger Espinoza and the Des Moines Menace
USWNT beat Japan!
NWSL Expansion is coming
KC Comets attendance records

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


Sporting KC Collapse again - 2:34
Is Willy Agada the Starting Striker? - 24:28
Messi is coming to KC? - 49:51
Digital Crawl - 59:46

Upcoming Schedule:


USWNT vs Canada - Tuesday, April 9th at 6:00 PM CT
Inter Miami vs. Monterrey - Wednesday, April 10th at 9:30 PM
Sporting KC vs Miami - Saturday, April 13th at 7:30 PM
KC Current vs Gotham - Sunday, April 14th at 5:00 PM


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S3E13 - For the Glory KC is back with the 78th episode of the show!

This week, we have a very special episode with not one, not two, but three hosts! I'm joined by some familiar names to those of you that read the KC Soccer Journal. Juan Cisneros and Xander Kennedy make their For the Glory KC debuts! Don't worry, Sheena will be back, but we just closed out an eight-day road trip with a seven-and-a-half-hour drive and only one of us was a soccer sicko enough to immediately make a podcast.

We start the show with some Sporting Kansas City love as they picked up a huge three points on the road against Toronto FC. Sporting KC managed to pull off the win without the injured Alan Pulido (not to mention Johnny Russell and Andreu Fontas). It begs the question, is that a good or bad thing? Xander, Juan and I break down the lack of production from the forward line, but the goals still coming in elsewhere.

We also get into the bangers scored by Remi Walter and Jake Davis, as well as the highly repeatable Alenis Vargas goal if Peter Vermes sticks with trusting his young and pacey backups. Plus, we can't avoid the goal at the death from Toronto, which was apparently over a half of a foot offside.

In addition to all the goals scored, we dash around to various other topics including Memo Rodriguez stepping up his game, Sporting KC's propensity to shoot from distance, the return of Felipe Hernandez, Robert Voloder continuing to start and the return of the refs as PRO and the PSRA reached a new CBA.

Before we fully move off of Sporting KC, we have to talk about Roger Espinoza returning for at least one game and it won't be too far from Kansas City. He will be joining the Des Moines Menace this Wednesday in the US Open Cup as they take on Union Omaha (in Nebraska). Which begs the question, who else should join Des Moines (or any other team) to try to make a cup run?

The KC Current continued their strong form as well as they climbed to the top of the table off their third straight win. There were goals scored by Vanessa DiBernardo, Alexa Spaanstra, Temwa Chawinga and Bia, but it feels like they could have scored so many more. We also get into the level of their competition through the first three weeks and of course, the set piece defending. Plus, does the NWSL have a VAR problem? We've got some thoughts!

In the Digital Crawl, we touch on the following topics:


Kei Kamara to LAFC
International call-ups for the KC Current
International club soccer coming to CPKC Stadium
USMNT over Mexico in the Nations League
And the Messi/Arrowhead update

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


Meet the Guest Hosts - 1:38
Sporting KC win on the road! - 4:47
Are these SKC goals sustainable? - 15:59
Repeatable goals, Sporting KC youth and Toronto's offside goal - 23:00
Roger Espinoza and the Des Moines Menace - 43:42
KC Current win at home (again)! - 55:27
Digital Crawl - 1:16:15

Upcoming Schedule:


The KC Current have TWO weeks off
Inter Miami vs. CF Monterrey (CCC) - Wednesday, April 3rd at 7:00 PM CST
Des Moines Menace @ Union Omaha (US Open) - Wednesday, April 3rd at 7:30 PM
USWNT vs Japan - Saturday, April 6th at 11:30 AM
Sporting KC vs. Portland Timbers - Sunday, April 7th at 12:30 PM

Spotify took away our ads, so we 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.

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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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortheglorykc/message
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S3E12 - For the Glory KC is back with the 77th episode of the show!

We start this week with Sporting Kansas City and their utter collapse against the LA Galaxy. Sadly, it was a game they utterly dominated if not for the eight minutes of terror. You simply cannot give up three goals in eight minutes and expect to win. You also can't go up 2-0 and lose games.

I do a deliriously short podcast in the middle of the night after the ups and downs of Saturday night. A little For the Glory KC after dark, if you will.

The KC Current were around to lift our spirits right after Sporting KC crushed them. They found a way to win on the road against the defending Shield winners, the San Diego Wave. The Current feel like they are going to be really good this year. They did it without two more players, Hailie Mace and Debinha, who showed up on the injury report. Their replacements did quite well!

In the Digital Crawl, we touch on the following topics:


SKC's MLS Cup Odds
Dany Rosero's Team of the Week win
The KC Current/Portland Thorns TV ratings from ABC
The NWSL/Liga MX Femenil Summer Camp announcement
Two KC Comets legends retire
A brief discussion of that wild USMNT game against Jamaica
A fun Sacha Kljestan story with the Des Moine Menace
Plus, our usual Messi/Arrowhead update (it's sorta bleak)

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


Sporting KC collapse - 1:26
The KC Current ride high - 20:34
Digital Crawl - 28:49

Upcoming Schedule:


KC Current vs Angel City FC, Saturday, March 30th @ 2:30 PM CST
Sporting KC @ Toronto FC, Saturday, March 30th @ 6:30 PM

Spotify took away our ads, so we 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.

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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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortheglorykc/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortheglorykc/support