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:

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

Upcoming Schedule:

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.

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:

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

Upcoming Schedule:

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.

S3E11 - For the Glory KC is back with the 76th episode of the show!

This week, there is no place to start but with the KC Current and their historic opening of CPKC Stadium. 11,500 showed up for the sellout in an all too thrilling win over the Portland Thorns. The final score of 5-4 almost ruined an otherwise perfect opening day (well, that an Debinha getting injured). But they got the win!

Sheena got the fan perspective and got tickets to opening day, and I brought the behind-the-scenes views from the media room, press box and elsewhere in the stadium. From fan experience, to atmosphere, to food and a well-run transportation system, opening day went off with minimal flaws.

And of course we talk the thrilling soccer with five different goal scorers, including Vanessa DiBernardo who will forever be the first player to score in the stadium. She was joined by rookie Ellie Wheeler, new signing Bia, KC's returning champion Kristen Hamilton and another rookie, the youngest goal scorer in NWSL history, Alex Pfieffer! And while she didn't score, Temwa Chawinga had an immediate impact, Lo LaBonta was everywhere and 18-year-old rookie Claire Hutton really locked down the midfield.

We can't avoid discussing the four goals that got in and look to see if it's a worrying trend or just world class play from a couple Portland superstars.

Not to be left out of the amazing weekend are Sporting Kansas City who are undefeated. 'Winless' no longer applies as they got the monkey off their back against the San Jose Earthquakes. Robert Voloder got a surprise start for the injured Andreu Fontas. There were set piece goals in both directions, as well as the return of Remi Walter from injury and Alan Pulido from obscurity.

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

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

Upcoming Schedule:

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.

S3E10 - For the Glory KC is back with the 75th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City are still undefeated, but three straight draws aren't exactly what most were hoping for to start the season. But hey, at least they didn't lose!

Sheena and I break down the game and get into all sorts of details. We start on a new starting XI that was forced because Remi Walter was out dealing with his ankle injury he picked up against the Philadelphia Union. He was replaced by Memo Rodriguez who had an up and down game.

In fact, the whole team had a bit of Jekyll and Hyde vibes. Pretty much every player on the team had at least a good moment or two mixed in with a potentially disastrous play or two. In some cases, it was a lot of good moments from one player (like Andreu Fontas or Tim Melia) but even they had really bad plays too. Of course, we have to address that weird indirect free kick.

We talk about our best and worst players, but nearly everyone gets a comment or two in each direction. The conversation also turned to Dany Rosero, in Sheena's eyes, underperforming. It's fitting that she wants him to be more dangerous on set pieces because most of his teammates think he'll lead the team in defenders who score.

After the LAFC versus Sporting KC discussion, we turn to news about now former SKC Academy player Ramiz Hamouda. The KC Star's Daniel Sperry put out a nice Twitter thread that broke down the whole situation. We weighed in on it and let the conversation take us back to the SKC/LAFC game a bit.

And we can't ignore the KC Current and the start to their season this weekend! They added two more signings, locking down draft picks Ellie Wheeler and Hope Hisey, as well as recalling goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz from the Brisbane Roar. Plus, our expectations for the first home game both on and off the field.

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

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

Upcoming Schedule:

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.

S3E09 - For the Glory KC is back with the 74th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City played their home opener, and it went really well... for 94 minutes. We break down the end of the game, rate the replacement refs and make numerous other observations about the game. Peter Vermes was not very happy, but he didn't blame the replacement refs. Though he did get very fired up in the post-game press conference.

Before we get to the soccer though, we have to take a detour to Sporting KC media day. I have a fantastic Remi Walter story to share (to Sheena's utter embarrassment), a few other things that stood out, including Sporting KC's use of analytics and more.

We also learn how to pronounce Nemanja Radoja's name, talk about the new stadium upgrades and a lot of other things. Look at the run time!

Plus, we have some league wide news around the US Open Cup (and Sporting KC's participation), the new rules that are coming in 2025 from the newly formed Sporting & Competition Committee, some silly Don Garber comments and finally we get to talk kits about both MLS and the NWSL.

We also spend a little more time with the KC Current with updates on Nichelle Prince's health, a free shuttle to games and a tiny bit of preseason news. As for the Current's kits... why not just do teal? Olive and York did it for them if you are so inclined.

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

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

Upcoming Schedule:

Spotify took away our ads, so we turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and 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.

S3E08 - For the Glory KC is back with the 73rd episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City got the 2024 season underway on Saturday night and it was more of a whimper than a bang, but it's early. While play was sloppy and the passes were often off target, it is only one game into the year and the team managed a draw despite not playing particularly well.

Sheena returns to the podcast, and we break down the goals by both teams and a tactical wrinkle with Erik Thommy and Remi Walter. We also look at Peter's subbing patterns, the crappy Houston Dynamo fans booing Memo Rodriguez, a few player debuts and how the replacement refs did.

Beyond the game, there was other news around Sporting KC this week. Peter Vermes gave an interview to the KC Star with some juicy information about four Designated Player targets that didn't work out, including Kellyn Acosta and four players to watch as breakout candidates this season.

And SKC announced their roster designations including two surprise DPs (Salloi and Radoja) as well as green cards and some clues about new signing salaries. We even get a little behind the scenes from my trip to Swope Soccer Village to watch Sporting KC II play UMKC (they won 5-2).

We also spend a little time with the KC Current and MLS at large.

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

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

Upcoming Schedule:

Spotify took away our ads, so we turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and 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.

S3E07 - For the Glory KC is back with the 72nd episode of the show!

Before we get to the soccer, despite my efforts to mostly keep the podcast out of the political realm, we have to speak of the horrible tragedy at Union Station this week in Kansas City. It shouldn't be political, but it somehow is. I realize sports are an escape for many, myself included, but I can't sit idly by. There are time stamps below if you want to 'stick to the soccer.' Or if you don't want to listen, that's your right too.

Speaking of the soccer, we get to that, but it's a little different this week. My co-host and wife, Sheena, is ill so I have a guest host! We talked about Sporting Kansas City playing their final preseason game and how they pulled off a 3-1 win over Atlanta United on Saturday. Plus, the resulting Peter Vermes quotes on Johnny Russell and Tim Leibold's injuries, how they approached preseason differently and of course all the goals.

From there we preview the Sporting KC season, with a brief look back at the offseason. Then we move on to the opening day opponent, the Houston Dynamo.

Not to be left out is the news that PRO referees are going on strike and replacement refs will be used to start the MLS season.

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

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

Spotify took away our ads, so we turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and 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.

S3E06 - For the Glory KC is back with the 71st episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City didn't have any huge news in the week, but there were a lot of little stories building towards the start of 2024. First, the roster seems set with the news that Kellyn Acosta would not be signing with Sporting KC and Peter Vermes confirming it's "highly unlikely" a Designated Player is signed before Week 1. Sheena and I share how we're feeling about the roster.

Then we weigh in on Khiry Shelton's now serious injury and surgery, Daniel Salloi's injury situation and how preseason is going for Sporting KC and if it leaves us feeling optimistic or pessimistic.

Plus, we have to talk about the possible advent of Blue Cards in soccer around the world. Blue cards -- they aren't just for indoor soccer anymore! IFAB is considering 10-minute "sin bin" penalties for dissent and cynical fouls that would leave a team down a man. Also, two blue cards equal a red, or a blue and a yellow equal a red (which is confusing because those are all primary colors).

The KC Current don't get much love this week because I couldn't get to media day on super short notice. That said, Kristen Hamilton dropped some promising quotes in the KC Star, and we talk about the outlook for 2024.

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

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

Spotify took away our ads, so we turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and 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.

S03E05 - For the Glory KC is back with the 70th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City had a relative active week, considering how slow the offseason has been. They played the final preseason game of leg one before coming to and from KC in the proceeding days. They'll be back in Miami by the time you read this.

Outside of the preseason game itself, a 2-1 Nashville SC win, Peter Vermes gave updates on player performances, Khiry Shelton's injury and more. Then there were the transactions. Sporting KC made a trade that could open the door for a future move and added Memo Rodriguez as depth. I lay out my theory how the next few weeks and then summer transfer window may play out. My masterplan if you will (that's during segment two, timestamp below).

Then we switched gears to talk about Sporting KC's youth development problem and its latest saga with Ramiz Hamouda leaving the SKC Academy without a contract and the team getting nothing for him.

We also briefly talked Leagues Cup news too.

The KC Current made a series of signings this week too (Mallory Weber, Regan Steigleder and Sophie Braun) as well as an extension for Lo LaBonta. Vlatko Andonovski also gave some training updates and let us know who is a full participant and who we'll still have to wait on.

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

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

Spotify took away our ads, so we turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and 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.

S03E04 - For the Glory KC is back with the 69th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City have a lot going on this week, considering real soccer is still nearly a month away. A topic to break Sheena's heart is if Kellyn Acosta, rumored to be joining KC, is being looked at to replace Remi Walter long-term. He primarily plays that same position and Remi is out of contract after the 2024 season. We take a look at the cost and fit of Acosta within Sporting KC.

We also briefly discuss Memo Rodriguez being on trial, the 3-3 Sporting KC/Charlotte FC draw and all the Peter Vermes quotes that came out of the post-game presser. Plus, our takes on the leaked Sporting KC secondary kit, the other leaked MLS kits and Sheena does her first "bio" of 2024, covering Marinos Tzionis. Who else would you like to see a mini-bio on?

The KC Current have a ton going on as well. We go over the schedule release, all the signings (Bia Zanaratto, Desiree Scott and Bayley Feist), the trialists and the departures (Cassie Miller, Mimmi Larsson). And I have a radical idea that the NWSL should adopt -- getting rid of trades.

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

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

Spotify took away our ads, so we turned on "Listener Support." Don't feel obligated, but if you have a few spare bucks and 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.