For the Glory KC is back with the 131st episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City made Major League Soccer history this week. While it's not the history that anyone really wants to make, taking zero shots in a game, the part that is historic is they won. No team in the 30 years of MLS has ever failed to take a single shot and still found a way to win.

The 1-0 win over the basement dwelling LA Galaxy wasn't easy. Los Angeles had two of their Designated Players in the starting lineup and arguably their strongest lineup since MLS Cup 2024. Despite that, they fell for Sporting KC's first home 1-0 win since August 27, 2022 against the San Jose Earthquakes. The Galaxy's own goal from captain Yoshida, left SKC with a 0.00 expected goals (xG) mark, in victory.

The game featured an amazing defensive output from goalkeeper John Pulskamp and center backs Jansen Miller and Robert Voloder (earning Robi team of the week honors). It also featured a trio of injuries for Logan Ndenbe and LA's DPs, Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil. On top of everything else it was Star Wars night and the Sporting KC media game. To cover all of that, guest host Kevin Ferstl of Seven.One Magazine joined me for the show with Sheena out of town (she's back next week).

Despite the good results in Kansas City, the same wasn't present for the KC Current who lost 1-0 on the road to the Seattle Reign in controversial fashion.

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

• SKC II continue their struggles
• Vancouver Whitecaps make CCC final
• Desiree Scott's first professional goal!

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

• Sporting KC are breaking records - 9:12
• KC Current lose with controversy - 53:22
• Digital Crawl - 1:06:28

Upcoming Games

• Sporting KC @ Portland Timbers - Sat. May 10th at 9:30PM CDT
• KC Current vs. Bay FC - Sun. May 11th at 11:50AM 
• SKC II have an off week

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 130th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City continued their up and down form with a loss to FC Cincinnati after a fun win last weekend against the San Jose Earthquakes. Even though the results didn't go their way, it was a pretty competitive game. Many pundits are picking Cincy to win the Supporters Shield, MLS Cup or both and Sporting KC hung right there with them. If not for a "goal of the year candidate," maybe they earn the result.

We talk about all the key moments from the Sporting KC game, including Zorhan Bassong's first professional goal, why Jacob Bartlett is taking free kicks, Keven Denkey's ridiculous goals and other random observations.

Beyond just the game, it was transfer deadline week for the Major League Soccer primary transfer window and Sporting KC were busy. They made a signing and a trade and set themselves up to be active in the summer transfer window (they have to spend the GAM they acquired).

The signing is 22-year-old Mexican American striker Santiago Munoz (more on him here). His arrival cleared the way for Mike Burns to deal William Agada to Real Salt Lake. Willy isn't the only former SKC player to end up in Salt Lake City this week as Johnny Russell also made the move. We talk about RSL as a rival, worse potential destinations (there is only one) and everything else related to those moves.

Usually, we count on the KC Current to lift our spirits but somehow nothing went right in KC soccer (including SKC II). The Current were stunned late against the North Carolina Courage, breaking all kinds of streaks.

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

• SKC II signing and a two-loss week
• The NWSL is trying to start a new second division

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

• Sporting KC fall in a close one with Cincy - 4:52
• A signing, an Agada trade and goodbye Johnny Russell - 28:08
• KC Current lose a stunner - 52:01
• Digital Crawl - 1:08:58

Upcoming Games

• SKC II @ Austin FC II, Friday, May 2nd at 7:30PM CDT
• KC Current @ Seattle Reign, Friday, May 2nd at 9:30PM
• Sporting KC vs. LA Galaxy, Sunday, May 4th at 6:00PM

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 129th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City played a wild, eight goal thriller over the weekend against the San Jose Earthquakes. We celebrated the double KC win too hard and had to push podcast recording until Monday and it got weird. Welcome to For the Glory KC After Dark III.

When we stayed on topic, we moved through all the delightful, exciting goals from Daniel Salloi, Manu Garcia, Logan Ndenbe and Erik Thommy. Plus, so many assists, including a goalkeeper assist by John Pulskamp (and a fun story from Salloi about it).

But we definitely got off topic talking Sporting KC trialist Dru Yearwood, which led into Dru Hill, the "Thong Song" and Dejan Joveljic's inappropriate gesture.

We also have to discuss the officiating that could have marred the results by Joe Dickerson. He was inconsistent and missed a foul that could have really injured Ndenbe. Chicho Arango's nonsense went basically unpunished, but at least Jansen Miller continued his "villain" role.

The KC Current broke the record for the most wins in a row in NWSL history. It was so dominant it was almost a little boring (though we'll take boring!) with the thorough victory over the Houston Dash. The team was depleted and still looked pretty unstoppable. And the KC Current II are back and participating in TST.

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

• US Open Cupset Update
• Cam Duke on the move
• CeCe Kizer too

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

• Sporting KC win a Wild 8-goal Thriller - 3:18
• SKC Round-up - 37:33
• KC Current break the Wins Record - 51:41
• Digital Crawl - 1:05:20

Upcoming Games

• SKC II vs. Tacoma Defiance, Wed. April 23rd at 6:00PM CDT
• Sporting KC @ FC Cincinnati, Sat. April 26th at 1:30PM
• KC Current @ North Carolina Courage, Sat. April 26th at 6:00PM

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 128th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City returned to their struggling ways, at least in terms of results. If Twitter were the judge, fire everyone, cut the whole team. But it's less than two weeks into Kerry Zavagnin being the coach and there was absolutely promise (at least on offence) in the second game under his leadership. Sheena and I work through the highs and lows from the game. The team showed good fight when they made two comebacks, but their third attempt didn't come off.

They'll have to work on not falling behind. One reason they fell behind was all the defensive lapses. Jansen Miller actively asked to speak with the media and owned the team's failings. It was a big character moment for him on the heels of a really poor game for the defense. We also ask the question of if Miller deserved the own goal that was scored to him since Portland appeared to poke the ball into the net.

In addition to that, we talked through some of the interesting refereeing decisions that kept it 11v11 for the whole 90 minutes. We debated who should take PKs after Dejan Joveljic made one and missed one and who should be the captain of this team since leadership isn't jumping out at anyone during these poor performances.

Then we turn our attention to some fantastic reporting by Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star. McDowell sat down with Mike Illig and we got a lot more information about Peter Vermes losing his job, some of the factors that went into it, what he's looking for in his next coach (and maybe Chief Soccer Officer) and a whole lot more. I highly encourage you to read Sam's work.

Finally, the KC Current just kept doing what they do. They pulled off a convincing 2-0 win over the San Diego Wave on the back of goals by Debinha and Lo LaBonta. Temwa's goal scoring streak ended at eight games (again) and she won't break her own record quite yet. Plus, Vlatko Andonovski addressed the Sporting KC coaching rumor.

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

• USWNT 2-1 loss to Brazil
• USMNT Gold Cup draw
• Olympic Soccer changes for 2028

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

• Sporting KC lose a wild one - 6:04

• Illig talks to the KC Star - 42:58
• SKC Round-Up - 59:23
• KC Current remain perfect - 1:03:42
• Digital Crawl - 1:15:28

Upcoming Games

• KC Current vs. Houston Dash, Sat. April 19th at 6:30PM CDT
• Sporting KC @ San Jose Earthquakes, Sat. April 19th at 9:30PM

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 127th episode of the show!

Our long national nightmare is over! Sporting Kansas City have finally won a game. New interim coach Kerry Zavagnin is a perfect 1-0-0 and he got the best of Sporting KC's rival, St. Louis City SC. It put an exclamation point at the end of a tumultuous and emotional week for anyone in and around Sporting KC.

Sheena and I work through the big moments of the game. From our pre-game emotions and expectations to Dejan Joveljic's breakout performance. We also talked about John Pulskamp stepping up on the night Tim Melia retired. There were post-game antics with Jake Davis and the St. Louis players as well as Jansen Miller shushing the road support. Considering he's from STL, it's even more endearing to local fans.

The week wouldn't be complete without going back and reflecting on all the change and the news we got from Mike Illig and Kerry Zavagnin's pressers. Weaved into that conversation is a mini dive into my editorial about how ownership may have still botched the Peter Vermes firing.

We honor Tim Melia on the week of his retirement (listen to Thad's exclusive podcast with Melia) and discuss a trade that snuck under the radar potentially for Sporting KC fans.

Finally, the KC Current had the week off, but still made a bit of news on the international front and with five (!!) of the 11 players of the month coming from KC: LaBonta, Temwa, Cook, Debinha and Lorena.

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

• The future of the Women's World Cup (USA & UK)
• The Des Moines Menace being bounced from the US Open Cup
• And FC 25 jersey updates for SKC and the Current

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

• Sporting KC finally win, and soccer is fun again! - 6:46
• Mike Illig and Kerry Zavagnin pressers - 40:19
• SKC Round-up - 1:08:33
• KC Current Round-up - 1:13:44
• Digital Crawl - 1:16:04

Upcoming Games

• USA vs. Brazil, Tues. April 8th at 9:30PM CDT
• SKC II vs. Minnesota United 2, Wed. April 9th at 6:00PM
• KC Current @ San Diego Wave, Sat. April 12th at 9:00PM
• Sporting KC vs. Portland Timbers, Sun. April 13th at 1:15PM

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.

Episode 126 a day after 125? It's an emergency people! After nearly 16 years in charge, Sporting Kansas City announced they had "mutually parted ways" with Chief Soccer Officer and Manager, Peter Vermes.

Sheena and I get together for an impromptu podcast about one subject: Peter Vermes. But there is a lot of meat on that bone. We get into:

• Initial Reactions
• Peter's Accolades
• The Cauldron/South Stand Letter
• Replacement Candidates (including the Vlatko Andonovski rumor)
• When do they hire a coach?
• And a bit of Peter Vermes appreciation

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.

For the Glory KC is back with the 125th episode of the show!

We were all set to talk about another Sporting Kansas City loss when Sunday the KC Cauldron and South Stand "demanded" Peter Vermes resigns his jobs. We started there and then moved into discussing another loss.

In terms of the cries for Vermes' resignation, Sheena and I get into whether we actually think this will happen and the case to be made for and against him leaving. It's also worth remembering, he's just entering this second year of a five-year extension. That contract continues to age poorly, which feels like yet another indictment of ownership.

Turning our attention to the game, despite a losing effort, Sporting KC actually showed some promise against FC Dallas. There were significant changes to the lineup that paid off immediately with another Daniel Salloi goal. He's scoring 0.71 goals per 90 after only scoring 0.13/90 in 2024. Another spark may have come from the first start of Jake Davis in the midfield. We also learn Davis' unique middle name during this week's podcast.

Finally, the KC Current rescue the soccer weekend yet again with a great performance back home against the Utah Royals. While it was a great day for the Current, it was a tough outing for old friend Kate Del Fava who was involved in all three goals KC scored.

In other KC Current news, they had an immense number of international call-ups, and we played a mini game about how they would fare with those nine players missing. Luckily, it was just a thought experiment, as the Current have the next weekend off since NWSL doesn't play through international windows. As for those call-ups, let's list them:

• United States: Claire Hutton, Michelle Cooper, Alana Cook
• Brazil: Lorena
• Canada: Nichelle Prince
• Costa Rica: Rocky Rodriguez
• Kenya: Jereko
• US U-18s: Mary Long, Katie Scott

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

• SKC II winning in penalty kicks
• Boston's NWSL rebrand
• Denver's NWSL side announcing new facilities
• US Open Cup broadcast rights on Paramount+

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

• Calls for Peter Vermes to Resign - 5:32
• Sporting KC make progress, but still falter against Dallas - 29:17
• The KC Current continue to dominate - 53:13
• KC Current round-up - 1:01:20
• Digital Crawl - 1:08:50

Upcoming Games

• Des Moines Menace vs. Union Omaha, Wed. April 2nd at 7:30PM CDT
• USWNT vs. Brazil, Sat. April 5th at 4:00PM
• Sporting KC vs. St. Louis City SC, Sat. April 5th at 7:30PM
• USA vs. Brazil, Tues. April 8th at 9:30PM 
• SKC II and KC Current have no games

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 124th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City dropped their most recent match with LAFC 2-0. It was their 11th loss in their last 12 games with the only other result being last week's draw against Minnesota United. Of course, we have to discuss what happened in the game and what needs to change. But the biggest question, other than the job security of Peter Vermes (which we address), is 'When will Sporting KC win again?'

The upcoming schedule has games that appear more winnable than others, but nothing about recent trends suggest Sporting KC are in a good position to win. Here are the next 10 games and the team's current point total:

• @ FC Dallas (7 points)
• vs. St. Louis City (8 points)
• vs. Portland Timbers (7 points)
• @ San Jose Earthquakes (6 points)
• @ FC Cincinnati (7 points)
• vs. LA Galaxy (2 points)
• @ Portland Timbers (6 points)
• @ St. Louis City (8 points)
• @ San Diego FC (8 points)
• vs. New England Revolution (1 point)

When do you realistically think Sporting KC can win a game? Let us know in the comments.

Beyond the abysmal current state of Sporting Kansas City, Sheena and I delve into the results of the US Open Cup against the Des Moines Menace, talk about the Johan Ortiz signing and Alenis Vargas finds a new home.

Finally, the KC Current had themselves another delightful week. They went on the road and beat the previously perfect Washington Spirit, leaving just KC and Orlando Pride as perfect teams. We delve into some bright spots in the game that included VAR (seriously), Lorena and of course Temwa, including a fantastic Temwa Chawinga stat. Then we talk about the low key signing of Friday Mukoma.

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

• CF Montreal fire their coach
• Exciting MLS kit news
• USMNT's double loss
• Pro/Rel in the USL
• and Denver NWSL's stadium plans

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

• Sporting KC return to their losing ways - 3:47
• SKC II vs. Des Moines in the Open Cup - 32:43
• SKC Round-up - 40:13
• KC Current win a big road game - 45:10
• New KC Current signing - 53:59
• Digital Crawl - 55:59

Upcoming Games

• SKC II @ North Texas - Fri. March 28th at 7:45PM CDT
• KC Current vs. Utah Royals - Sat. March 29th at 6:30PM
• Sporting KC @ FC Dallas - Sat. March 29th at 7:30PM

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 123rd episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City came back to life on Saturday night. When it looked like they were dead and destined to extend their 10-game losing streak, they clawed back for a 3-3 draw against Minnesota United. A draw isn't a win, but it's a step in the right direction. That first point of 2025 also keeps them out of the basement of the league (on goal differential, but it counts).

Sheena and I work through our thoughts from the game. We talk about John Pulskamp's performance (and awful new scar).

We also talk about the performance of Robert Voloder, Daniel Salloi being a spark (and giving the team wings), Memo Rodriguez, Dejan Joveljic's stunning goal and of course all the bad that led to Minnesota being up 3-0 in the first place. Overall, let's hope this is some positive momentum for Sporting KC as they host LAFC next week.

And let's hear it for Kansas City weather. Wait five minutes, right? Sleet. Snow. An Orange ball. Wild times.

In the SKC round-up, we talk about more signings coming to Sporting KC, Dany Rosero's injury situation, Ian James getting an important international call-up and Memo expecting his second child.

Finally, the KC Current do what they do and play beautiful soccer to start the 2025 season. In a single game, they have more points than Sporting KC and it felt like more great chances created. From the glorious goal and hair of Temwa Chawinga, to the golazo of Michelle Cooper and 'the best version' of Debinha, the team showed up at Saturday's opener against the Portland Thorns.

Also, we have KC Current injury updates for Bia, Gabby Robinson, Alex Pfeiffer, Regan Steigleder and Mallory Weber's situation with the team. Plus, the team made a new signing.

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

• SKC II vs. Des Moines Menace
• Felipe Hernandez's return
• Tony Meola
• AD Franch's new team
• And an NWSL rebrand in Boston

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

• SKC w/ a wild 3-3 Draw against Minnesota United - 3:16
• SKC round-up - 35:23
• KC Current win big to start 2025 - 41:25
• Digital Crawl - 1:03:00

Upcoming Games

• SKC II vs. Des Moines Menace - Wed. March 19th at 6:30PM CT
• KC Current @ Washington Spirit - Sat. March 22nd at 6:30PM
• Sporting KC vs. LAFC - Sat. March 22nd at 7:30PM
• SKC II @ St. Louis City II - Sun. March 23rd at 4:00PM

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 122nd episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City played their first game on full rest for the 2025 MLS season, and it seemingly didn't matter. D.C. United pulled off a 2-1 come from behind victory at home. Maybe it's rest plus chemistry that Sporting KC need. Plus, Jake Davis in the midfield. Plus... something else?

Sheena and I open the episode looking for positives from Saturday's game before inevitably turning to the negatives. One list did outweigh the other, sadly.

In a more fun story, we spend some time talking about what's happening at our neighbors to the north. The Des Moines Menace are signing all kinds of retired MLS players to bring some positive attention to the 2025 US Open Cup. Among those signings is Sporting KC legend and former SKC II coach, Benny Feilhaber. He'll be joined by at least eight other retired MLS players as they take on Sporting KC II in the opening round of the US Open Cup on March 19th.

After that, we blitz through the Sporting KC round-up which includes an injury update for Andrew Brody, last week's SKC penalty maybe being the wrong call and why Erik Thommy is only the captain "right now," according to Peter Vermes.

Finally, the KC Current get to bring us some joy with their season getting started next week. We take a quick look ahead to the season opener against the Portland Thorns.

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

• MLS Next Pro looking for more teams out of their primary markets ("2" teams included)
• Chris Rindov finds a new club
• Sophia Smith Wilson is pregnant
• and upcoming goalkeeper rule changes

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

• Sporting KC lose their 10th straight - 1:35
• Benny Feilhaber is back (sort of) - 28:56
• SKC Round-Up - 41:10
• KC Current season is starting - 48:29
• Digital Crawl - 56:17

Upcoming Games

• SKC II vs. STL City II - Fri. March 14th at 6:00PM CST
• KC Current vs. Portland Thorns - Sat. March 15th at 11:45AM
• Sporting KC vs Minnesota United - Sat. March 15th at 7:30PM

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.