For the Glory KC - A Sporting KC Podcast

For the Glory KC is back with the 203rd episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, check out Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10! Or support us with our other referral links. 

Sporting Kansas City did it! They avoided finishing dead last. The only original MLS team to avoid that distinction for now 31 seasons and counting. It's weird to be happy about being 29th in the standings, but it's the little things. We decided to go After Dark style with our immediate reactions to the "high" of coming in 29th.

Before Sporting KC even took the field, they needed CF Montreal to lose. And they did. Again. Thankfully the Vancouver Whitecaps dispatched them fairly easily, though it was touch and go before the Caps poured it on. Then the weight was on Sporting KC to get the job done. They needed to win a game, something they had failed to do in their previous seven tries. But on the back of an Andre Luiz drawn and converted PK, the defense held on for a shutout and San Diego FC lost 1-0 in their home stadium.

Sheena and I talk through some milestones, moments from the game that went well and were a bit sketchy, including the new partnership between Owen Wolff and Lasse Berg Johnsen, Taylor Calheira's early injury, Justin Reynolds late heroics and so many missed chances!

The conversation weaved between the game and the season on the whole. Sporting KC still ended up with the most goals allowed in league history, but they avoided the worst goal differential. That naturally led to a conversation about guys who should and shouldn't be here and a coach that may still be out of a job, but we were divided on Rapha Wicky.

The Kansas City Current pulled off something they couldn't in 2025. They won a playoff game. It wasn't without controversy. The game winning goal came on a penalty kick that is probably a foul, but one that often goes uncalled. 

And that wasn't the only controversial decision. Angel City FC fans were up in arms about missed penalties, primarily the possible DiBernardo handball. However, they should probably be more upset about a play the broadcast didn't even replay. Regardless, KC advance to face the winner of Gotham FC and the Seattle Reign.

Give the show a listen and we'll dive into these topics and of course go off topic since it's For the Glory KC After Dark!

In the Digital Crawl, we hit two more topics:

• College Soccer and a very weird vote
• MLS Cup Playoffs and hate watching

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 1:29
• KC Current - 1:03:01
• Digital Crawl - 1:30:46

Upcoming Games

• UMKC Roos vs. St. Thomas, WED, Nov 11th at 6:00PM CT (Finals on the weekend)
• KC Current vs. winner of Gotham/Seattle
• USMNT vs Haiti (Nations League)
• MLS goes into an international break before the playoffs

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 202nd episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, check out Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10! Or support us with our other referral links. 

Sporting Kansas City managed to only pick up one point in a three-game in eight-day stretch. They blew a lead on Wednesday on the road at Minnesota United. Taylor Calheira put the team up early on what was one of the few moments of first half offense. Then, as has been the case all season, Sporting KC collapsed with two goals in four minutes to lose (plus a third in a 16-minute stretch). SKC also set a record for futility giving up more goals in a season than any team in MLS history.

Sheena and I break down the good, bad and ugly from that game, including the post-game press conference with Rapha Wicky, where he said, “I don't think the system is a problem. I don’t think it’s a tactical problem." Hard disagree. 

Things went a little better at the home finale where Sporting KC fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas, who are way up in second place in the Western Conference. It came down to a penalty kick save by Stefan Cleveland after a questionable handball call on Jansen Miller.

It wasn't the only bad officiating on the night. There was a possible missed DOGSO on Dallas and two horrible challenges suffered by Jacob Bartlett, including this one where he gets a yellow despite winning the ball and Romero missing it and crushing him.

And frankly, I can't believe this second challenge isn't a red. The force is ridiculous and Bartlett is probably done for the year and out for the finale in San Diego.

Speaking of San Diego, Sporting KC remain alive to avoid the Wooden Spoon if everything goes right on Saturday. CF Montreal need to lose at home to the Vancouver Whitecaps and SKC need to win in Cali. That, plus news on Erik Palmer-Brown, Zamir Loyo Reynaga, SKC II's potential move to Iowa and the 2027 Sprint Season schedule is out!

The Kansas City Current ended their season strong with their fifth straight win. They are the hottest team in the NWSL and did what they were supposed to in their 2-0 victory over Racing Louisville on the road. That sets them up for a home playoff game against Ally Sentnor and Angel City FC this coming Saturday.

In the Digital Crawl, we touch on a couple more topics:

• A confusing new tournament from the MASL for women, despite having a women's league, none of those teams are in it, including the Astras
• UMKC will host the Summit League Tourney semifinal and final
• Kansas City World Cup data
• and the US U-17 Women knock off Spain before losing to North Korea

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 7:47
• KC Current - 1:09:46
• Digital Crawl - 1:15:57

Upcoming Games

• KC Current vs. Angel City, SAT, Nov 7th at 11AM CT
• Sporting KC @ San Diego FC, SAT, Nov 7th at 6:00PM (Decision Day)

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 201st episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, check out Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10! Or support us with our other referral links. 

Sporting Kansas City inches closer to unwanted history after a 2-1 loss to Austin FC, while the KC Current lock up an NWSL playoff berth.

Another second-half collapse has Sporting KC standing on the precipice of an all-time low. Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Austin FC pushed the club to 77 goals conceded on the year, just one shy of matching the MLS single-season record set by the San Jose Earthquakes in 2024. 

Stephen Afrifa provided the lone bright spot with his goal, but even he failed to score two more golden opportunities. On the other end of the pitch, calamitous defending and tactical paralysis ultimately unraveled the night. On the latest episode of For the Glory KC, we break down why manager Rapha Wicky refuses to adjust his system to his personnel, debate whether nineteen-year-old Ian James needs to start down the stretch and look at what Afrifa said postgame about his contract status.

We also dive into the front office restructuring with three major executive hires from European soccer and rugby, check in on the Wooden Spoon standings, and highlight a couple standout podcast from around the KC soccer community. And there are Ilie Sanchez, Johnny Russell, Tim Melia, Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber sightings and/or news!

Across the river, the mood was far more celebratory. The Kansas City Current punched their postseason ticket before kicking a ball on Sunday, then punctuated the weekend with a gritty 2-1 comeback win over the Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium. Vanessa DiBernardo provided the game-winner off a record-setting setup from Croix Bethune, who officially broke the NWSL single-season assist record with her eleventh helper. We run through the postseason seeding race heading into Decision Day, dissect the disputed attendance numbers, and round up league-wide off-field news.

In the Digital Crawl, we touch on a couple more topics:

• Nashville SC locking up the Supporter's Shield
• The US are looking to hose the first ever Women's Club World Cup in 2028
• The UMKC Roos win the Summit League
• and the Ballon d'or results are in

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 7:09
• KC Current - 1:09:31
• Digital Crawl - 1:36:25

Upcoming Games

• Sporting KC @ Minnesota United, WED, Oct 28 at 7:30PM
• Sporting KC vs. FC Dallas, SAT, Oct 31 at 2:00PM
• KC Current @ Racing Louisville, SUN, Nov 1 at 1:00PM (Decision Day)

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 200th episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, check out Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10! Or support us with other referral links. 

---

Sporting Kansas City had an atrocious week, so we shift the beginning of the focus of the podcast to it being our 200th episode instead. We have a mailbag, including questions about our favorite memories, Z-Man sandwiches, a mini-version of who we would keep or get rid of the nine players out of contract and Sheena goes wild ranking Sporting KC's best all-time hair styles. 

I give a little inside information from the KC Cauldron's Hot Ones event with surprise (non-wing-eating) guest, David Lee. First, he took accountability, then he shared some news about hires he's made and where the roster moves will be focused. 

Unfortunately, we do have to discuss the back-to-back losses to Nashville SC and Real Salt Lake, but it mostly turns into a rant about Rapha Wicky and his plan. He has one, right? That segued perfectly into the Wooden Spoon update, which is getting quite grim. Plus, news on Owen Wolff and former SKC player Mikey Lopez.

Thankfully the KC Current are playing their best soccer of the year at the absolute right time, with just two games to go before the playoffs. They went on the road and beat the Utah Royals 2-0 to move into one of the home playoff positions. Two critical games to go. 

In the Digital Crawl, we touch on a couple more topics:

• NWSL and USL Super League in one tournament
• USWNT have a come from behind draw
• KC Comets signing
• Tragedy in Wichita's soccer community

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 6:59
• KC Current - 1:50:39
• Digital Crawl - 2:03:12

Upcoming Games

• St. Louis City at Columbus Crew, WED, Oct 21 @ 7:00PM 
• Sporting KC vs. Austin FC, SAT, Oct 24 @ 7:30PM
• US U17s vs. China U17s, SUN, Oct 25 @ 1:00PM
• KC Current vs. Washington Spirit, SUN, Oct 25 @ 4:00PM

NOTE: Apologies for any technical issues on this episode. Sheena is still sick and coughed a ton, I edited out a bunch of them, but certainly probably missed some or it would have never come out. Also, our recording platform experienced difficulties. Hopefully #200 wasn't ruined for you over the problems!

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 199th episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, we talked at the start of the episode about Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10!

Sporting Kansas City pull off a comeback draw that almost felt like a win on Saturday night. After falling down 3-1 to the Portland Timbers, a three-minute burst saw goals from Justin Reynolds and Andre Luiz level things up before Sporting KC limped to the finish line to hold on to the draw.

Sheena and I break down the happenings from the game all the way from the lineup changes (and injury updates) to the performances of Andre Luiz (duh!), Jansen Miller, Emir Karic, Taylor Calheira, Kwaku Agyabeng and more. And Sheena wants you to watch this video.

We also do our weekly Wooden Spoon update, where SKC are now just two points behind CF Montreal. All the teams around Sporting KC faltered in the standings, but KC only made up a point. The Columbus Crew, Atlanta United and D.C. United, joined Montreal in losing with only Minnesota United earning a point.

In other Sporting KC news, Peter Mallouk gave an interview to the KCBJ, providing a small look behind the curtain of the rebuild. SKC are also rumored to be hiring Sebastian Stein from Eintracht Frankfurt. He was their top scout. And Sporting KC II have a bit more news on their potential move to Des Moines.

The KC Current had the week off, but there were a couple small stories around the team worth a mention, including Michelle Cooper getting on the field at right back for the USWNT against Spain in a 2-0 loss.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit a couple more topics:

• USMNT win again
• NWSL Expansion

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 11:46
• KC Current - 1:05:54
• Digital Crawl - 1:08:55

Upcoming Games

• USWNT vs. Spain, TUES, Oct 13th at 6:00PM CST
• Sporting KC @ Nashville, WED, Oct 14th at 7:30PM
• KC Current @ Utah Royals, SAT, Oct 17th at 5:30PM
• Sporting KC vs RSL, SAT, Oct 17th at 7:30PM

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 198th episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, we talked at the start of the episode about Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10!

***

Sporting Kansas City win one and then lose one. This time, in unlucky and quite painfully late fashion. On a road trip to the Seattle Sounders, they got out ahead early on yet another Andre Luiz goal only to let that lead melt away. Was Rapha Wicky out coached or did he just have nothing to work with? Sporting KC are decimated with injuries, and they still nearly got a road point.

But when you are ahead to start, you sure want to win. It was that mystical game in hand against CF Montreal, and they let it slip away. Now all the teams around them have seven games to go and they still have three points to make up to climb out of the basement.

Sheena and I talked through the beats of the game and the unfortunate Lasse Berg Johnsen injury and what the team will do without him. Will Zorhan Bassong be healthy enough to play? If not, who does? Jacob Bartlett seems to be available, but there is no one else, so are any SKC II players still around that might come up on short-term loan? And who will be the captain with no Lasse and Bassong perhaps not 90 minutes fit?

For the second straight game, the KC Current came from behind and earned a big win. This time, it was a 5-1 shellacking of Bay FC and former teammates Claire Hutton, Alex Pfeiffer and Jordan Silkowitz. The fans welcomed the old players back, but it was a tough result for the already eliminated Northern California side. We talk the "tush push" goal from Haley Hopkins, the Debinha hattrick and that delightful bobblehead celebration and lots of international call-up news. Will Temwa Chawinga be back in time for the critical game against the Utah Royals?

In the Digital Crawl, we hit one more topic:

• USMNT win twice!

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 9:25
• KC Current - 33:19
• Digital Crawl - 47:31

Upcoming Games

• USMNT vs. Canada, TUES, Oct 6th at 7:00PM CST 
• USWNT vs. Spain, SAT, Oct 10th at 1:30PM
• Sporting KC vs. Portland Timbers, SAT, Oct 10th at 7:30PM
• KC Current have a break

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 197th episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, we talked at the start of the episode about Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10!

Sporting Kansas City bounced back in a big way after their disappointing loss last weekend to go on the road and beat the 2nd place team in the Western Conference. The Houston Dynamo fell 2-0 securing Sporting KC their first shutout of the year, one that was assisted by a Hector Herrera red card. Now can they do it with all 11 guys on the opposing team staying on the field? They have eight games to find out.

Andre Luiz once again stole the show. He got the game winning goal and provided an assist to Calvin Harris for an insurance goal before the Dynamo self-destructed before halftime. Despite the lead and being up a man, it was quite debatable who played better in the second half. Houston definitely saw more of the ball and took more shots.

Sheena and I discuss all of that, plus takes on Ben Olsen and his attire and other off topic nonsense you come to For the Glory KC for (or press fast forward during).

The win kept Sporting KC on pace with CF Montreal, who also won. The Wooden Spoon won't be decided yet but at least SKC remain in striking distance of climbing out of the basement.

In other SKC news, Capita Capemba's return will be delayed due to some rules we explain on the podcast. Also, fines were handed out for the Philadelphia Union and Sporting KC dust up a week ago. There is also a rumor that SKC II may be on the move in the coming years to Des Moines, Iowa. And former SKC coach Zoran Savic is being countersued by the team after his multimillion-dollar lawsuit.

Back in Kansas City, the KC Current also found a way to win, despite going down 1-0 early. They welcomed expansion side the Denver Summit to town and sent them packing after a 4-1 win that included a Haley Hopkins hattrick. What a weekend for Kansas City soccer!

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

• SKC II win!
• USMNT win!
• KC Comets updates

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 8:19
• KC Current - 52:31
• Digital Crawl - 1:01:08

Upcoming Games

• USMNT vs. Chile, TUES, Sept 29th @ 7:00PM CST (St. Louis)
• Sporting KC @ Seattle Sounders, THUR, Oct 1st @ 8:30PM CST
• KC Current vs. Bay FC, SAT, Oct 3rd @ 5:30PM
• USMNT vs. Mexico, SAT, Oct 3rd @ 9:00PM (Arizona)

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 196th episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, we talked at the start of the episode about Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link.

Sporting Kansas City entered Saturday night with low expectations. At least from your podcast co-hosts. But they went and got our hopes up by taking a very early 3-0 lead. Then in the second half, in what is perhaps the worst collapse in Sporting KC history, the Philadelphia Union stormed back to win 3-4, with the help of their 16-year-old wunderkind, Cavan Sullivan.

Sheena and I work through what went right and what went wrong. There were some very high highs, before some very low lows. Was it a change in tactics? Was is bad play? Bad coaching? All of the above? Should Taylor Calheira have subbed himself out when he got hurt? Should referee Katja Koroleva learn how to call a consistent game? Can it be a little bit of everything?

We answer those questions and more before getting to a small roster and General Allocation Money (GAM) update for Sporting KC. Dejan Joveljic's return to Kansas City will be delayed until 2027 (at least) and some insight into Or Blorian's health problems that are keeping him out for the year.

Before SKC blew a game, the KC Current did the same thing. They lost 2-0 on the road to the San Diego Wave. They never gave the illusion they were going to win though. Plus, Vlatko Andonovski landed a job with the Chicago Stars as the new CSO. We have thoughts!

In the Digital Crawl, we hit one more topic:

• Indianapolis creeps closer to MLS expansion and weirdly we give Sheena's history with the city of Indianapolis

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 8:52
• KC Current - 1:22:18
• Digital Crawl - 1:46:31

Upcoming Games

• KC Current vs. Denver Summit, SAT, Sept 26th at 11:30AM CST
• Sporting KC @ Houston Dynamo, SAT, Sept 26th at 7:30PM

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 195th episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, we talked at the start of the episode about Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link.

***

Sporting Kansas City break their post-World Cup winless streak with a big 3-1 victory over LAFC. The move pulls them within three points of CF Montreal as they attempt to avoid 'winning' the Wooden Spoon. The KC Soccer Journal asked Wicky and Taylor Calheira about their attempts to avoid the spoon and we'll get into those responses during the episode.

Plus, we talked through all the action from the game. The arrival of Andre Luiz as a potential star shone brightly in his improved play and particularly in his opening goal last night.

It was an absolute banger, but it wasn't all Andre did. He drew fouls. He combined with teammates. He generally looked like the guy we hoped he'd be. And according to Wicky he's still not fully fit. There should be more to come!

Beyond Andre, Stefan Cleveland, Taylor Calheira, Stephen Afrifa, Moises Mosquera, Emir Karic and Wyatt Meyer all got some love. And let's not leave out the clinical finish by substitute Jacob Bartlett. Besides the goal, he honored Or Blorian who will be out for the rest of the season after a surprise surgery this week. The whole team in fact honored him before the game.

And Sheena brought back the casual hair takes for the first time in a hot minute.

On the other side of town, the KC Current fought back valiantly against the Orlando Pride after falling behind 2-0. They maintain their two-plus year regular season unbeaten run at CPKC Stadium. However, they still have to find a way to climb the table with results worth more than a point.

The Current also had honors bestowed upon Temwa Chawing and Lorena and former Current player, Meila Brewer, landed in Dallas.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit one more topic:

• NWSL Relocation: Louisville to Cincy?

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 11:04
• KC Current - 1:00:11
• Digital Crawl - 1:11:51

Upcoming Games

• KC Current @ San Diego Wave, FRI, Sept 18th at 9:00PM CST
• Sporting KC vs. Philadelphia Union, SAT, Sept 19th at 7:30PM
• SKC II @ Dynamo 2, SUN, Sept 20th at 4:00PM

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 194th episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, we talked at the very end of the episode about Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link.

***

Sporting Kansas City played soccer this week, but the focus was mostly on the transfer window. Sadly, it was more about what didn't get done than what did. Can we take back what we said last week about how the transfer rumors were more fun than the games? When it all falls through, it's quite disappointing.

Sheena and I talked about what did get done (two loans for teenagers within MLS) and what didn't (Yann Gboho and Paulos Abraham, among others). Plus, the fallout and the press conference from David Lee. It was a robust discussion about the state of the team with a real mix of casual perspective and deeper analysis.

Sporting KC also played a thrilling 4-3 game against FC Dallas that was unfortunately a loss. Taylor Calheira had a breakout performance and Capita found new life on the left side of the attack. There was lots to like, including a statistically dominant performance and a lot to dislike with four goals going into SKC's net. Is it he defense? Is it goalkeeping? Sporting KC just taking their foot off the gas of their attack and press? Something else?

We also work through the long list of injured players for Sporting KC, which now includes Jake Davis, Zorhan Bassong, Ian James, Calvin Harris and a positive update for Owen Wolff.

In more positive news, the KC Current won another game! 2-1 over Bay FC on the road. The trouble is no one is talking about that since the team "mutually parted ways" with Vlatko Andonovski. What does it mean? Is he getting a new job? (Does he want to coach Sporting KC?) Sheena and I work through all the possibilities.

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

• MLS is back in the US Open Cup in full!

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 4:36
• KC Current - 50:12
• Digital Crawl - 1:36:43

Upcoming Games

• KC Current vs. Orlando Pride, FRI, Sept 11 at 7:00PM CST
• Sporting KC vs. LAFC, SAT, Sept 12 at 7:30PM CST
• SKC II vs. LAFC 2, SUN, Sept 13 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.