January 20, 2025

Overreacting about the Sporting KC Preseason Loss?

1 hour 26 minutes

For the Glory KC is back with the 115th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City have folks a bit worried after a 1-0 loss to Florida International University. We talk through the concerns of the fans and weigh in on if we are concerned at all. Sheena and I also take a look at who did and who didn't play against FIU.

After the game the media talked to Peter Vermes, Mason Toye and Stephen Afrifa. We learned a lot about Toye and his play style and Vermes gave important updates on signings, injuries and perhaps most importantly for a team that is incomplete, a new style of play.

While there were no signings this week for Sporting KC, there at least was a rumor. Barcelona B midfielder Unai Hernandez.

Then there is a smattering of Sporting KC topics we touched on from Alan Pulido's transfer fee being confirmed it can be turned into General Allocation Money (GAM), Toye's contract details, SKC license plates in Kansas and the uninspiring theme nights for Sporting KC this season.

Major League Soccer (MLS) also rolled out some rule changes this week. The highlights:

MLS has a new cash transfer system that includes fees to players involved

Teams get two buyouts per season

GAM no longer expires

The secondary transfer window moved to July 24 through August 21

and more!

Finally, the KC Current reported for preseason this past week as well. As a part of their arrival there were a couple noteworthy news items. The team confirmed they are in talks with Elizabeth Ball and Kristen Hamilton. Also, they have four non-roster invitees. Mallory Weber you know, but here are snippets on the three you may not know:

Evan O'Steen (GK) - Just 15 years old! USYNT. Committed to Florida State University. Class of 2026

Meila Brewer (DEF/MID) - Class of 2027. USYNT. Committed to the University of Miami. Local kid from KC Athletics

Ava Tankersley (FWD) - University of Arkansas grad. 2024 SEC Forward of the Year

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

Neymar being in "official talks" with the Chicago Fire

USMNT win their first friendly of 2025

Desi Scott comes out of retirement

Alyssa Naeher honored

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

Sporting KC lose to a college team in preseason (plus actual news!) - 7:46

SKC have a rumored (and expensive) U-22 signing - 33:08

SKC Tidbits: Toye, transfer fees, license plates and theme nights - 39:02

New MLS Rules - 1:00:00

KC Current report for preseason - 1:04:25

Digital Crawl - 1:13:01

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.

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