Lost 1-0 to Chicago. First half lineup 1' #SportingKC is underway for our 2nd preseason scrimmage vs. Chicago Fire. We will play two 45-min halves.First 45' XI:John PulskampJustin ReynoldsIan JamesWyatt MeyerJustin ReidJake DavisJacob BartlettManu GarciaShapi SuleymanovDejan JoveljicDaniel Salloi— Sporting KC Communications (@SportingKC_PR) January 24, 2026 Second half lineup 46' Second half underway against Chicago Fire.Second 45' XI:Stefan ClevelandJack FranckaJansen MillerEthan BartlowNikos Clarke-TosczakCielo TschantretKwaku AgyabengZamir Loyo ReynagaCalvin HarrisShane DonovanStephen Afrifa— Sporting KC Communications (@SportingKC_PR) January 24, 2026
So, now that he has his P-1, was he on the sidelines for the Chartlotte match? It did seem to include what the piece described as a first 11 (as of now) that went 0-0 before the second 11 lost 1-0: Sporting Kansas City Lineup (First 60 minutes) John Pulskamp; Justin Reynolds, Jansen Miller, Ian James, Jayden Reid; Jake Davis, Jacob Bartlett, Manu Garcia; Calvin Harris (Shapi Suleymanov 46’), Dejan Joveljic, Daniel Salloi Sporting Kansas City Lineup (Second 45 minutes) Stefan Cleveland; Jack Francka, Ethan Bartlow, Wyatt Meyer, Nate Young; Cielo Tschantret, Kwaku Agyabeng, Makhi Francis (Carter Derksen 96'); Shapi Suleymanov, Zamir Loyo Reynaga, Shane Donovan
Yes he did coach yesterday. On the sideline & fully available as our season preparations continue. pic.twitter.com/IpavmLvuIG— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) January 31, 2026
So, the announcer just said that this was pretty much Minnesota's first 11 (minus a couple). Sigh. We don't have a first 11. TBF, we don't look terrible. We just don't look good
I don’t think they looked that bad first half, didn’t look great, but I thought he had moments. Dropped into a 4-2-3-1 in defense. It could work.
Even in the second half, they didn't look terrible. It's just that it is really clear we don't match up well talent wise. in the individual moments where better players make a difference, we continued to move in a workman-like manner. Nothing wrong with it, just not enough right with it. In the course of a season, teams can grind out a win here and there by being workman-like, consistent. But the high end for that sort of side is 12th in the division. If we do everything we can do perfectly. That is not our likely destiny in 2026.
Based on the play in our preseason, I'm really not sure who to be excited about this year. The announcers were praising someone, was it Reynolds? I dunno. I did think Harris looked like a step above Afrifa. Agyabeng looked aggressive, but naive (which makes sense).
Yes he spent a lot of time praising Reynolds. I thought he was solid enough first half, but second half he was poor. While Harris looked a step above Afrifa, no one in the from 5 really looked good yesterday.
The NYC game is worth watching. Well, the first half is. I know, read nothing into it, but I think we can see how Wicky wants to play. It's a nice style.\ https://www.sportingkc.com/news/watch-sporting-kc-vs-new-york-city-fc-coachella-valley-invitational
Maybe if we can just play MLS reserve teams all season we'll actually win some games... This quote from Salloi is gonna go over well. "It's a transitioning time at Sporting KC. It's gonna take a couple more transfer windows to get it back. This club will be back where it belongs. If it's one year it's one year. If it's five years it's five years. We'll see who's gonna be on the roster during this process."
Today: Saturday February 14 Austin 7:00PM Kansas City Now, often the time is adjusted for regular season games when i see it. No idea here, if so it might start at noon in KC. After this, it's all regular season, baby. So, as much as it can be, I would guess this game will feature our starting lineup, right? Questions about that: Pulskamp or Cleveland? My guess is Pulskamp, thought seems a coin toss. Outside backs: Davis and Bassong looked so much better than anyone else in those roles in this last outing. They are my guesses. CBs. I assume Miller and i have absolutely no idea on who the other one will be. James? four mids: Manu and f'me. Maybe, Harris? I suppose, and the draft pick and .. Shapi? no idea. Maybe just leave that spot empty. Up top: Jovelic and Salloi. Bench: They look pretty well made. Nice wood or plastic or whatever they are. Sadly we won't have many players to put on ours.
That midfield defensively would look like Swiss cheese. IF KC signed him he'd either be a winger or depth behind Manu. Putting him and Manu in the same central midfield would make our midfield transition defense last year look amazing.
No, there's not even a rumor of it. When Tom tweeted that he was available I just said I'd kinda like it.