December 10, 2024

Two Sporting KC Signings and Expansion Draft Predictions

1 hour 28 minutes

For the Glory KC is back with the 110th episode of the show.

Sporting Kansas City got their offseason started with not one, but two signings. The club added two 16-year-old Homegrown players in defender Ian James and goalkeeper Jack Kortkamp. We learn a little about the new signings and talk about where they fit into this ongoing roster build.

Any conversation around these signings is colored slightly with the ridiculous compensation being paid to Minnesota United. MNUFC shut down their Academy, leaving their players nowhere to play. James and Kortkamp, among others, ended up in other MLS Academies. Sporting KC had to compensate Minnesota for their Homegrown rights at the time, then again when they signed them, and they had to give them a sell-on fee if they are sold to another club. It's an absurd amount of compensation for a team that literally shut down their academy.

In other news, earlier today, Sporting KC CEO and President Jake Reid was named MLS Executive of the Year. The reactions online are what you would expect. We get into why he earned that award, including all of his accomplishments over the last few years. And this can't be said enough, he DOES NOT make soccer decisions. If you are unhappy with the product on the field or the roster, blame Peter Vermes (and now Mike Burns). If you are unhappy with the coaching staff, blame Mike Illig. However, if you are unhappy with the gameday experience, fan relations, etc., that rolls up to Reid.

Don Garber also gave his annual State of the League address. We cover a few highlights:

Leagues Cup may be down to just 18 teams in 2025 (Garber wouldn't comment)

MLS will up the number of teams in the US Open Cup after only having eight this year

MLS Roster Rules don't appear to be changing

And the fall to spring schedule is still on the table for MLS

The KC Current also got their offseason moving with the re-signing of Nichelle Prince. It will really kick into gear in the coming days with all NWSL roster decisions due by 5:00PM CST on Tuesday the 10th of December. Claire Hutton was also up for US Young Soccer Player of the Year and eight (!!) KC Current players were on the Guardian's list of the best players in the world.

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

An update on an unlikely Sporting KC rumored signing

LA Galaxy defeated the New York Red Bulls in MLS Cup

KC Comets lose their first game of the season

MASL are holding most of their playoffs in San Diego

FIFA is considering a 48 team Women's World Cup

Kansas City are getting two more USL2 teams

Plus, a potential USL1 team in Springfield, MO

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

Sporting KC make two signings - 3:44

Jake Reid wins Executive of the Year - 15:08

SKC Expansion Draft Protection Lists - 29:29

Bonus Listener Q&A - 51:44

Don Garber’s State of MLS - 1:00:37

KC Current signing and updates - 1:06:22

Digital Crawl - 1:10:21

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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