For the Glory KC is back with the 171st episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City did what it took much longer to do in the prior three seasons. They won a game. Sporting KC earned a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy on the road last night in California. And they did it on the back of their superstar striker Dejan Joveljic and their newest players, Lasse Berg Johnsen.

Dejan was the first on the scoreboard, after missing a golden chance to assist Calvin Harris on a goal just minutes earlier. On the game winning goal in the second half, Dejan was also involved. He first found Stephen Afrifa on a nice pace and then had eyes in the back of his head to dummy the ball to Berg Johnsen for the game winner.

Lasse was making his debut, cleaned up a lot of the midfield and found a way to score. It was a quality start for a player looked at to be a big addition to the roster.

Sheena and I talk through those moments, the 5-2-3 shape the team was in with Shapi Suleymanov at left wingback (!!!) and the other positions changes needed to make that move work. We also talk culture, Rapha Wicky, and the team starting to believe.

We also discuss Sporting KC signing Capita Capemba and David Lee's promise to add at least one more player in the transfer window.

The KC Current started the 2026 season with something they rarely had to do in 2025; come from behind. They pulled off a 2-1 victory as well, but they needed a comeback to pull it off. It also took a debut goal from Croix Bethune and Ally Sentnor scoring for the first time in KC Current colors.

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

• SKC II with an inauspicious start to the season
• NWSL's 18th team expected this year

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Sheena's CPKC Experience - 1:11
• Sporting KC - 13:17
• KC Current - 52:12
• Digital Crawl - 1:07:31

Upcoming Games

• Sporting KC vs Colorado Rapids, Saturday, March 21st at 7:30PM CT
• KC Current @ Chicago Stars, Sunday, March 22nd at 1:00PM
• SKC II vs. MNUFC2, Sunday, March 22nd at 7:00PM

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.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.

For the Glory KC is back with the 170th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City came up short against San Diego FC on Saturday, but it was a game full of promise. Sheena and I break down the beats of the game that stood out to us, starting with the stellar goalkeeping of John Pulskamp.

We also went over the lineup (Jansen Miller was the only change with Ian James popping up on the injury report), including the loans from SKC II (that thankfully didn't prevent those guys from playing against the Real Monarchs on Sunday).

We also talked about the chippy, card-heavy nature of the game. San Diego were flopping like dead fish, and the ref was buying everything. However, it was SD that got the most cards though they did keep all 11 guys on the field despite a dicey foul against Manu Garcia that had Dejan Joveljic coming to his aid.

We also did SKC tidbits on the Capita transfer rumors, Johnny Russell's new landing spot and the immense amount of GAM in Sporting KC's coffers.

The KC Current made news this week with an unfortunate update on the health of Lo LaBonta, the team adding two players on short-term deals and being the 2nd most valuable NWSL team in the league according to Sportico.

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

• KS Astras
• USWNT Win the SheBelieves Cup
• Columbus NWSL Expansion
• Sophia Wilson returns

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Sporting KC -
• KC Current -
• Digital Crawl -

Upcoming Games:

• KC Current vs. Utah Royals, SAT March 14 at 4:00PM CT
• Sporting KC @ LA Galaxy, SAT March 14 at 9:30PM CT

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.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.

For the Glory KC is back with the 169th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City nearly sell out their home opener in a fun game with the Columbus Crew. Sheena and I give our thoughts on the game including thoughts of the goals and formations. Rapha Wicky keeps setting the team up different and other teams don't know what to expect. We're not even sure what that formation was, or where certain players were playing. So how would opponents know?

We talk about John Pulskamp's mistake in goal that cost a, and his draw saving penalty save. Dejan dominates with a brace and many other standout moments from the game.

We also talked through some other Sporting KC news like this week's media day, David Lee and Rapha Wicky spoke, we talked to many players, and we learned the team has three captains: Dejan, Manu Garcia and Zohran Bassong. We give our opinions on those choices.

SKC signed a CB, Or Blorian this week, SKC II lost their season opener and news around another SKC rumor.

The KC Current unveiled a new kit, and the team opened a new training center and second stadium.

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

• KS Astras
• USWNT Win
• Cleveland NWSL Expansion
• Antoine Griezmann to Orlando City

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Sporting KC - 5:15
• KC Current - 46:21
• Digital Crawl - 54:50

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.

For the Glory KC is back with the 168th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City kicked off the 2026 Major League Soccer season and for 38 minute it was going pretty well.

Then Justin Reynolds went down with a "soft tissue" injury, and everything had to be shuffled around and the team collapsed. While the team put out, and the broadcast mimicked, that it was a 4-3-3, the team was definitely in their 4-4-2 defensive shape we talked about earlier this week. Jake Davis took the Daniel Salloi role and played quite well until he was forced to move to right back.

We talk through all the beats of the game and what stood out to us. And the gif of the season.

Speaking of Salloi, we discussed that trade and the additions to the team since our last episode of the podcast. We also get into David Lee's press conference promising "three to six" additions to the roster before the primary transfer window closes on March 26th.

The KC Current basically were radio silent this week. We did sneak in some former players appearance at the SKC/SJ game into the podcast.

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

• Toronto FC's splash transfer of Josh Sargent
• Sheena wants to handle the Messi update?!?

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Former KC Current Player Sightings - 5:39
• Sporting KC trade Salloi and add two signings - 8:25
• SKC versus San Jose - 28:25
• David Lee presser and SKC round-up - 59:21
• Coachella Valley Invitational - 1:20:24
• Digital Crawl - 1:31:25

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.

For the Glory KC is back with the 167th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City finally did it! They made a signing that everyone expects to be a starter. Lasse Berg Johnsen joins from Malmo in Sweden and should immediately be penciled into the defensive midfielder role when his P-1 visa arrives. We break down the signing and how he'll fit next to Manu Garcia.

The majority of this week's episode is focused on the two big preseason wins for Sporting KC. They finished 3-3-0 in preseason, a three game and five goal improvement over the 2025 preseason. Sure, against NYCFC it was a win over backups, but that Austin FC game was a starting lineup that got beaten on before some late red cards let the game get out of hand. Rapha Wicky seemed none too happy with Austin's violent fouls that led to cards either.

The results of the games made it look like Wicky's system just needed a little more time to take hold (or maybe they just needed to not be playing Minnesota United). Regardless, there were plenty of positives to take away and I even took a shot at predicting who should start this weekend against the Quakes.

In this episode I also spent time on the multiple rumors for Sporting KC this past week, SKC adding to their front office, Forbes' MLS valuations, Nemanja Radoja's new landing spot, SKC II signings and some former KC player updates.

The KC Current made big headlines this week too. Some for good reasons and others that weren't quite so good. The team traded Claire Hutton, one of the best young players in the world. Then they immediately added another young star in Croix Bethune. That, plus the 1-1 draw against San Diego in preseason.

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

• KS Astras keep winning
• Catarina Macario to the San Diego Wave?

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Sporting KC - 0:00
• KC Current - 33:44
• Digital Crawl - 41:57

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.

For the Glory KC is back with the 166th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City actually made signings this week, the problem is they are signings we essentially knew about already. Jayden Reid and Wyatt Meyer formally signed, with Ethan Bartlow remaining on trial for the second leg of preseason. Sporting KC II also made a notable signing, bringing in 15-year-old Zamir Loyo Reynaga, who moves to the first team next season.

Those moves still leave Sporting KC precariously thin at nearly every position on the roster and the media had a chance to ask Raphael Wicky about that. He mostly said all the things he's supposed to say, so we try to dive into those topics.

That naturally led us to the 3-0 beating Sporting KC took at the hands of Minnesota United in their fourth preseason game of 2026. We look at the formation, the way the teams played and how tough the season looks to be, at least at the beginning.

Sheena and I also dive into number changes, Sporting KC's theme nights and the new SKC II coaching staff.

The KC Current made some more news this week. First, they re-signed Bailey Feist in a move that certainly bolsters their midfield depth. They also announced Teal Rising Week, with a new Teal Rising Cup schedule, youth tournaments and a pair of games between USWNT U-20s and the Brazil's U-20s. The Long's also opened an academy in Brazil.

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

• KS Astras win!
• Argentina officially doing base camp at Sporting KC's facilities
• 2028 Olympic Soccer hosts
• James Rodriguez to Minnesota United

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Sporting KC signings, preseason and Wicky press availability - 5:11
• KC Current round-up - 49:19
• Digital Crawl - 55:05

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.

For the Glory KC is back with the 165th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City had another quiet week where they didn't make any more signings. They added just one player during the month of January.

Sheena and I worked through the lack of news and the state of the roster with just 20 days to go until the first MLS game kicks off. There was the rumor of signing Israeli CB, Or Blorian and the news that Rapha Wicky got his P-1 visa and coached the preseason game over the weekend.

We also probably looked a little too closely at who played and who didn't in that 1-0 loss to Charlotte FC. Calvin Harris started over Shapi Suleymanov, maybe implying there is at least competition at one position in the starting lineup. The team is still without a single left back on the roster and Zorhan Bassong didn't play, so we don't know if he maybe would get those minutes if he was available or if they are going to sign Jayden Reid, who is on trial. Stephen Afrifa also sat out this latest preseason game. Sheena and I take a stab at who may have earned a spot in the first phase of preseason with the limited info we have. There are three preseason games to go, which may be streamed for the Coachella Valley Invitational.

At the end of the Sporting KC segment, we also talked about Erik Thommy signing with the LA Galaxy, Willy Agada and Joaquin Fernandez finding homes in the Spanish second division and Zoran Savic suing SKC.

The KC Current had a pretty quiet week too. They played a scrimmage against Denver Summit, but neither team said who played or who won. We do know Kyra Carusa scored for Kansas City. She isn't on their roster and is listed as "non-rostered training player" on their preseason announcement. We also got injury updates on Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper and the exciting news that Vanessa DiBernardo had her baby.

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

• Kansas Astras win again!
• The World Cup trophy is coming to KC (and a lot of other places)

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Round-up of Sporting KC news - 5:32
• A tiny bit of KC Current news - 46:04
• Digital Crawl - 53:24

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.

For the Glory KC is back with the 164th episode of the show!

Trigger warning, we get mildly political in the opening three minutes. Skip ahead or stop listening if it's too much for you. Time stamps, as always, towards the bottom of these show notes.

Sporting Kansas City had almost nothing officially happen this week. That said, unofficially, there was still a lot going on. First, the rumor from Marca.com is that Robert Lewendowski, one of the greatest strikers in the world, may have interest from Sporting KC. Sure, the story says that the Chicago Fire are in the lead (and the article uses a Fire II graphic in error), but it is still something at least worth talking about. Along with the Fire and SKC, LAFC are mentioned as a possible destination.

With new owner Peter Mallouk, all things are possible. That said, this one seems unlikely.

Sheena and I break down that rumor, the ongoing Cesar Inga rumors (which appears to finally be dead), the preseason loss to the Fire, and the actual news of a new coaching staff for Sporting KC. But we have to discuss the rumored Footy Headlines kit leak from Sporting KC for their new secondary jersey.

It says, "recreated" right on the image, but is it a recreation of a real leak? It does have a variation on the argyle/diamond thing that SKC have been doing. Also, Sporting KC updated their profile pic to neon right after the leak and posted this little video.

This may not be the exact kit, but I bet it's pretty close and I like the bold choice. It's a secondary kit, have fun with it! Before we finish with the Sporting KC news, Sheena does a bio of SKC's newest signing, Calvin Harris.

The KC Current didn't have much this week, but they did have all four of their USWNT players start in the 6-0 win over Paraguay and announced a couple more preseason games:

• Sat. JAN 31 - Denver Summit
• Sat. FEB 7 - Angel City FC

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

• Four countries doing their basecamp in KC: Argentina, Netherlands, England and Algeria
• MLS rule changes
• Trinity Rodman's record deal to stay in the NWSL
• A weird LA Galaxy/St. Louis City trade rumor

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Sporting KC rumors and a coaching staff announcement - 7:42
• KC Current update - 50:47
• Digital Crawl - 56:19

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.

For the Glory KC is back with the 163rd episode of the show and the second show of 2026!

Sporting Kansas City had a pretty big week. No, they didn't do much to fill out their miniscule roster, but it's almost certainly bigger than that. On Friday, news broke that Sporting KC minority owner Peter Mallouk was taking over as majority owner, holding an estimated 80 percent of the team. Sheena and I get into what this means for the team this season and beyond. Sam McDowell from the KC Star got an interview with Mallouk and we discussed several of his big quotes:

• “What you’re going to see next season is a big, big financial commitment,” he said, “to do whatever it takes to build upon what we’re building upon this season. "
• "I really would say 99.5% of the metric I’m going to care about is winning. And 0.5% will be everything else.”
• “The fans are incredible,” Mallouk said. “They deserve a competitor all the time.”

There was actual movement on the roster with the signing of Calvin Harris. We got an inside take from the Burgundy Wave's Matt Pollard who has covered the Colorado Rapids for years. Sheena and I discuss the rumor that Cesar Inga is on his way to Kansas City. And we can't leave out the weird and wild Rogers Mato story. It doesn't stop there though, as SKC won their first preseason game and we have updates on Roger Espinoza, Willy Agada, Robert Voloder, Mason Toye, Paulo Nagamura, Alenis Vargas and Ramiz Hamouda.

The KC Current also had a fairly big week with the announcement of their schedule, the trade of Nichelle Prince and some unfortunate injury new for Michelle Cooper and Temwa Chawinga.

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

• England, Netherlands and Argentina are all rumored to want to do World Cup base camp in KC
• Lindsey Heaps is coming to the NWSL
• KC Comets pick up two big wins

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Sporting KC sold! - 9:14
• SKC Sign a Player and lots of other stories - 25:11
• KC Current Schedule, Prince trade and more - 54:16
• Digital Crawl - 1:11:58

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.

For the Glory KC is back with the 162nd episode of the show and the second show of 2026!

On this week's episode of For the Glory KC, we discuss the official hire of Sporting Kansas City coach, Rapha Wicky. On Tuesday, he completed his first press conference with the media, and we unpack the details. Topics covered are the length of his contract, how many more players need to be signed by CSO David Lee, and the style of soccer Wicky and Lee want Sporting KC to play. We also learn some fun facts about Wicky, most importantly (for Sheena) we uncover his hair regimen.

The topic of Sporting KC's youth development was also discussed at the press conference. Will SKC Academy players have their best opportunity for a starting position on Sporting KC or SKC II since the roster is bleak? There are a lot of them coming to preseason.

31 players total will be traveling for preseason, which has kicked off in Florida. There are three trialists, two SKC II players, one draft pick, and eight Academy Players who will be joining the team. The first game is on Saturday, January 17th against FIU at 9:00AM CT.

We wrap up the Sporting KC conversations with 'breaking news' about Daniel Salloi and his mustache, Santi Munoz giving his farewell to Kansas City, an update regarding a rumor from last week, and exciting news regarding Zohran Basson and Jacob Molinaro.

The KC Current also had a busy week with the announcement of head coach, Chris Armas. Sheena and I discussed the press conference along with the ESPN and KC Star articles around the hire and give our thoughts. Highlights include the decision-making process and all the qualified candidates the Longs apparently turned down to stick with Armas. On top of that, the news that Canadian Men's National Team coach and apparently Chris Long's college friend, Jesse Marsch made the recommendation to hire Armas.

In the KC Current round-up we say farewell to Bia, hello to forward Ameilia White, and give an update regarding Clare Gagne. Plus, we have updates on Alex Pfeiffer, Regan Steigleder, and some exciting USWNT call ups.

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

• KS Astras
• Rumored nations doing base camps in Kansas City for the World Cup
• A massive FA Cup upset
• and Chucky Lozano and Sam Coffey being on the move

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• Sporting KC’s Coach Announcement presser - 1:27
• SKC’s Preseason Roster - 37:49
• Sporting KC round-up - 40:28
• KC Current have a coach presser too - 53:58
• Current round-up - 1:13:14
• Digital Crawl - 1:21:15

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.