KC Soccer Journal: A Sporting KC Podcast

We're recording from the United Soccer Coaches Convention in downtown KC this week, and there's a certain buzz about arena soccer around here. The Comets are at the top of the league and have a huge match on the big stage on Saturday night, which is sure to draw a crowd from the convention. We sat down with Comets' Managing Partner, Brian Budzinski, and KC native & Comets player, Kevin Ellis. Lear...

Allow us to talk you off the ledge, Sporting KC fans. Alan Pulido is "likely" out for the season, Gadi Kinda is out to start the year, but it's not all bad! Rumors are flying of new signings for Peter Vermes' squad, including the return of Graham Zusi. Two new players are arriving via the MLS Superdraft. And finally, Benny Feilhaber has been named the new head coach of SKCII. It may seem like a da...

Peter Vermes is giving free agent signings another go. Ben Sweat comes to Sporting KC after two straight seasons with losing expansion clubs, Inter Miami CF & Austin FC. Our old friend Uri Rosell is rejoining KC after an injury ridden stint with Orlando City. Also... Thad's late. Will he join the zoom before the show ends? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shades of Blue is stepping it up a notch this off season. We hope to bring a new level of quality to the show next year. In January we'll be attending podcast row at the United Soccer Coaches Convention and will be on site for shenanigans. As well as interviews with big names in US Soccer. Thad does the show's first-ever ad read to secure our spot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

Now that we've had time to recover from Sporting KC's early exit in the MLS Cup Playoffs, we're back to close the book on the 2021 season. Even with the tough ending, it was another year of winning soccer for SKC Nation. Jaylin Lindsey is leaving for his spiritual home on Charlotte FC, and David thinks Peter Vermes is just picking on him. We check in on the progress of negotiations with Roger Espi...

The 2021 season has come to an end for Sporting KC. Everyone is feeling a lot of feelings, pointing fingers, and placing blame. But this podcast aspires to help you through these rough times. Laugh with us. Cry with us. Drink with us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every championship team has one - a grizzled veteran, a club legend who gets hot at the right time. If Graham Zusi is going to keep playing like San Zusi, Sporting KC will be very tough to beat. Especially at home in The Blue Hell. RSL has been tasked with this after using the dark arts on the Seattle Sounders. How does a team win a sporting event without taking a shot? Plus we get you ready for t...

The biggest question for Sporting KC as we head into the opening round of the playoffs, is about the return of Alan Pulido. Is he healthy? Should he even start if he's healthy? These are the moments for which the Mexican striker was brought to KC. We preview the first round of MLS Cup Playoffs and dive into lineups and key matchups for the Whitecaps this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices....

Three straight losses to close out the season. Colorado Rapids took first place. What the heck happened? We speculate wildly! But a main topic of discussion is none other than a blatant missed handball, which may very well have propelled Sporting KC to a first-round bye. We were treated to an epic Peter Vermes rant after the match, and every ounce of his frustration is deserved. But it's not all s...

Sporting KC is still on top of The West after falling to Minnesota United. Did Dia deserve red? SKC actually scored from a corner kick! Andreu Fontas has been as valuable as anybody on the field for KC. How did he find another level to his game this year? Alan Pulido continues to sit on the sidelines. Cody forgets Daniel Salloi appeared last match. Thad tries to Dad shame the team to a #1 seed. Le...

In Tim Melia's defense, who among us has never wanted to violently throw a person in Sounders shirt to the ground? We talk about the glorious moment, possible suspensions, and Robert even defends the referee's decision! This pod has it all. Including a discussion on the MLS playoff race, Sporting KC's remaining schedule, and Wednesday's match against the LA Galaxy. Learn more about your ad choices...

The race atop the Western Conference heats up with a busy week in MLS. Sporting KC will take on the Seattle Sounders over the weekend, but the Sounders also have a major midweek match to worry about. We spend a lot of time talking about the realities of Kansas City's bid to host the 2026 World Cup. The United States Women's National Team comes to town to play Carli Lloyd's final match for the 17th...

Sporting KC missed a huge opportunity over the weekend to gain ground on the Seattle Sounders ahead of another faceoff with the Western Conference leaders. There are a lot of questions about the defense, but is there something missing in the midfield as well? Khiry Shelton does so much so well, but it appears Sporting has found a ceiling of success without Alan Pulido. Learn more about your ad cho...

We didn't plan on doing a show where Thad gets upset and rants about the Trinidad & Tobago match four years after the fact... but here we are! Sporting KC has fallen five points behind the Sounders, but they've got one more chance to reel them in. After failing to assist SKC in taking down Seattle, the Vancouver Whitecaps are next up on Sunday. The USMNT's loss to Panama was a shock after several...

The US Men's National Team is getting back together for another round of World Cup Qualifying. Gianluca Busio is getting another shot to represent the Stars & Stripes. We talk about the sold out Venezia jerseys, the never ending striker discussion, and our general outlook for US Soccer at the moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TBT veteran Ben Gartland joins the show. Daniel Salloi keeps doing it every week and it's time to wonder if he really has a shot at winning MLS MVP. Carlos Gil ain't got nothing on him. We wonder why a 4-2 win over Houston doesn't feel as good as it should. Is the SKC defense strong enough to win a trophy this year? We also talk about the strikers. And whether or not they want to score. Learn more...

We act like we never even cared about the Seattle Sounders match anyway, after a big loss at home. Sporting KC get another shot at them anyway! Plus, we preview Wednesday's match against FC Dallas. With sexy sounding names like Marco Feruzzi & Ricardo Pepi on the other team... it's sure to be a tough test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The day has finally come as Seth Sinovic announced his retirement. We share stories, try to figure out whether or not he is a zombie, and take time to remember the KC native & true fan favorite. EA Sports FIFA 22 has released it's player ratings! Who got hit with the most disrespect? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a battle as old as time. Good vs Evil. The Sounders are coming to town. We've got all the analysis, predictions, & nonsense you need ahead of this huge match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sporting KC is sitting atop the West after a huge 4-0 win over Minnesota United FC. The whole team appears to be rounding into form at just the right time. Including Johnny Russell, who had maybe lost a bit of the "F" in his middle name early in the year. But we look ahead to this weekend as the Seattle Sounders come to town. It's a battle for the top of the table. Is SKC catching Seattle at just...

Chad Smith joins the show (finally) to talk about Peter Vermes' recent comments on his plans in the transfer market. The summer window has closed, but Sporting KC have a nice chunk of change to play with after Gianluca Busio's transfer to Italy's Serie A. Among several potential targets mentioned, Vermes included a #10 as well as a left winger. But we thought SKC have an exciting young homegrown A...

The Fine Jar is back at it again! We're stepping things up a notch around here. Daniel Salloi is absolutely on fire and he's set to represent Sporting KC in the MLS All-Star Game. Is an international call-up to the Hungarian national team next? We also check on Gianluca Busio's first weekend in Italy and take a moment to appreciate our lord & savior, Tim Melia. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

It was a week to be remembered for the Sporting KC historians. Gianluca Busio won the Gold Cup with the United States National Team and signed a record deal sending him to Italy, and another homegrown player, Daniel Salloi, was named to the MLS All Star team. Peter Vermes' vision of the pipeline from the academy to the top flight in the US and beyond has truly become a reality. 25-year-old Argenti...

In honor of the Gold Cup, we're switching up the intro music to "Over There" by the Vandon Arms. Even though they weren't actually, you know, over there. Talking USMNT, Gianluca Busio's performance and transfer saga, and Sporting KC as they sit within striking distance of the top of the table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thad Bell is joined by Sunflower State FC owners, staff and coach (Andrew Lentell, Joey Lipoff, Salvatore Sesti and Nick McDonald) to talk local soccer. Not only do they provide another opportunity for local players to develop, they also help out Youth RISE, an organization doing great work with Kansas City youth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices