Monday, February 10, 2014

Medranda Returning, Leichty Signs for OKC

It looks like one question about Sporting KC's roster this preseason is about to be answered. According to his Twitter account and The Daily Wiz, midfielder, Jimmy Medranda, is on his way back to KC. Medranda, had been on loan from Deportivo Pereira last season, making one appearance for Sporting. The question had been whether he would return to KC this season. That question now appears to be answered, the question becomes whether it is now a permanent deal or a continuation of the loan.

In other news, Sporting KC academy product, David Leichty has signed his first professional contract. That contract is not with Sporting KC, but with their USL affiliate, Oklahoma City. It'll be a big step for the midfield academy product. On one hand though it's interesting that he's leaving Sporting's academy to play professionally elsewhere, but you have to assume that should he do well, he'll be back in KC fairly soon with the first team. In Oklahoma City though he'll join up with four former KC players, three players (Cyprian Hedrick, Kyle Miller, and Michael Thomas) and the coach (Jimmy Nielsen). He'll also have two current KC players on the roster from the two players Sporting send down to their affiliate.

This won't be Leichty's first opportunity to play against professionals. Leichty has already played with Sporting's reserves in reserve league play before they moved to affiliate with Orlando City last year. I think while Leichty may not get time immediately, this is his foot in the door professionally and if he does well it's only a matter of time before KC find a way to bring him back to KC.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I know asking an MLS rules question is a bit of a joke, but MLS teams retain player rights when players leave for other leagues without recieving a transfer fee, when draft picks don't sign with the club, and a number of other things I'd assume. Would acadamy kids who sign in other leagues out of the acadamy be one of those things that MLS teams still own his "MLS rights"? Same thing could have been done regarding the GK, Jacole Turner. Just wondering if we'll see more of this as the MLS/parent club retains the Acadamy products "MLS rights" so to speak. Either way, good for the kid. Hope other Acadamy kids join him (like Ellis and Kempin!).