Sporting KC Best XI - Goalkeeper

Sporting KC will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first game coming up on April 13th. The match on that day will actually be a replay of the club's first match as the KC Wiz from 1996 against the Colorado Rapids. Ahead of that game, Sporting KC is doing a poll for fans to pick the Best XI in the club's history, starting with goalkeepers, then up the field to defenders, midfielders, and forwards. The goalkeeper poll is already over and the defender one is currently up. As someone who has seen each of the players brought up live for Kansas City, I figured I'd give my vote from each one of the groups as KC puts the rest of their polls up.

To start I'm going to back up and start with goalkeepers. The list for KC included the likes of Tony Meola, Jimmy Nielsen, Bo Oshoniyi, Kevin Hartman, and others. For me the list of goalkeepers really only comes down to two players, Meola and Nielsen, while the rest of the field wasn't bad for KC, those two are head and shoulders above the rest of the group at goalkeeper. Both are arguably two of the best no just for KC, but throughout the 20 seasons of MLS so far. If you'd have told me back in 2010 that I'd even be debating whether Meola was the best goalkeeper in club history after 20 seasons I'd have told you that you were crazy, but that's exactly what I'm doing. Meola is the only goalkeeper to win the league's MVP award back in 2000 when he swept MVP, goalkeeper, and comeback player of the year when he recorded 16 shutouts in league play, allowed just 29 goals for a goals against average of just .92. He played in a club record 156 games in goal for Kansas City. He finished his career with a 1.22 goals against average for Kansas City and was the career leader for KC in basically every goalkeeping stat until Nielsen came along.

Nielsen topped Meola's career stats, posting a goals against average of just .99 over his four seasons, besting Meola's 2000 GAA twice, and topping Meola's career shutout total. I never would have thought that I would see Meola's numbers topped, especially so quickly, and yes you can argue that Nielsen's defense was better through his KC career than throughout Meola’s entire career, but that's also not giving Nielsen enough credit. In the end, while Meola is a Sporting Legend and certainly deserving of the honor, Nielsen will be there sooner than later as well and in this situation I got to give the starting goalkeeper position in KC's best XI to Nielsen.

Once the defender poll has officially closed I will post my vote on that.

OKC Playoff Run Ends - Former SKC Wizards Update

 The USL Cup final will be this coming weekend. Unfortuantely for a group of former Sporting players they just missed out. Sporting KC USL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Energy fell 2-1 to the LA Galaxy II over the weekend, sending the Galaxy to the USL Cup against Rochester. OKC fell behind 2-0 in the first half before a goal by another local player, Missouri Comet, Coady Andrews cut the lead to 2-1. The Energy continued to fight but couldn't find the second goal. The season ends for Christian Duke, Cyprian Hedrick, Michael Thomas, and head coach Jimmy Nielsen.

Here's the rest of this week's update.

Active without a club or unknown
Vicente Arze
Mitchell Cardenas
Michael Kafari
Neal Kitson
Jonathan Leathers
Kyle Miller
Lawrence Olum
Nelson Pizarro
Yann Songo'o

MLS
Davy Arnaud - DC - No game this week.
Teal Bunbury - New England - No game this week.
Servando Carrasco - Orlando City - No game this week.
Aurelien Collin - Orlando City - No game this week.
Daneil Cyrus - Chicago (Loan) - Came off the bench and played 35 minutes in Trinidad's 2-1 win over Panama. Started and played 90 minutes in Trinidad's 0-0 draw with Nicaragua.
Luis Gil - Salt Lake - Away with the US U23 team.
Herculez Gomez - Toronto - No game this week.
Michael Harrington - Colorado - Season over, injury.
Jack Jewsbury - Portland - No game this week.
Kei Kamara - Columbus - No game this week.
Chris Konopka - Toronto - No game this week.
Eric Kronberg - Montreal - Dressed but did not play in either of Montreal's games.
CJ Sapong - Philadelphia - No game this week.
Khari Stephenson - San Jose - Loaned to San Antonio.
Tyson Wahl - Columbus - No game this week.
Sal Zizzo - New York - Started and played 90 minutes in New York's 2-1 win over Montreal.

NASL
Stefan Antonijevic - Tampa Bay - Started and played 90 minutes in Tampa's 1-1 draw with Ottawa.
James Marcelin - Fort Lauderdale - Started and had a goal in Haiti's 3-1 win over El Salvador.
Rauwshan McKenzie - Atlanta - Started and played 90 minutes in Atlanta's 3-0 loss to New York.
Michal Mravec - Atlanta - Dressed but did not play in Atlanta's 3-0 loss to New York.
Khari Stephenson - San Antonio - Out injured.

US
Christian Duke - Oklahoma City - Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 2-1 loss to LA.
Adnan Gabeljic - Sacramento - Season over.
Cyprian Hedrick - Oklahoma City - Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 2-1 loss to LA.
Mechack Jerome - Charlotte - Season over.
Alex Martinez - Charlotte - Season over.
Victor Munoz - Arizona - Season over.
Tony Rocha - Austin - Season over.
Michael Thomas - Oklahoma City - Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 2-1 loss to LA.
Yomby William - Richmond - Season over.

Indoor
Jamar Beasley - Ontario - Offseason.
Adnan Gabeljic - St. Louis - Offseason.
Josh Gardner - Missouri - Offseason.
Pat Healey - Baltimore - Offseason.
Mike Jones - Dallas - Offseason.
Michal Mravec - Tacoma - Offseason.
Boris Pardo - Missouri - Offseason.

International
Korede Aiyegbusi - AFC United - Sweden - No game this week.
Scott Angevine - KPV - Finland - Dressed but did not play in KPV's 1-0 win over Honka.
Claudio Bieler - Quilmes - Argentina - No game this week.
Omar Bravo - Chivas - Mexico - No game this week.
Reinaldo Brenes - AD Belen Siglo XXI - Costa Rica - Did not dress in Belen's 2-1 loss to Cartagines.
Sunil Chhetri - Bengaluru - India - Started and played 90 minutes in India's 2-1 loss to Turkmenistan. Started and played 90 minues in India's 3-0 loss to Oman.
Jorge Claros - Qingdao Jonoon - China - No game this week.
Eloy Colombano - AD Berazategui - Tied Defensores Unidos 0-0.
Toni Dovale - CD Leganes - Spain - Dressed but did not play in Leganes' 0-0 draw with Tenerife.
Pablo Escobar - Cúcuta Deportivo - Colombia - No game this week.
Jermaine Hue - Harbour View - Jamaica - Lost 2-0 to Arnett Gardens.
Jeferson - Boavista - Brazil - Offseason.
Will John - RoPS - Finland - No game this week.
Peterson Joseph - Azam FC - Tanzania - Offseason.
Igor Juliao - ABC (Fluminense) - Brazil - No game this week.
Igor Kostrov - Dinamo-Auto - Moldova - No game this week.
Luis Marin - CD Palestino - Chile - No game this week.
Neven Markovic - KS Lechia Gdansk - Poland - No game this week.
Yura Movsisyan - Spartak Moscow - Russia - Dressed but did not play in Armenia's 4-0 loss to France. Started and played 59 minutes in Armenia's 3-0 loss to Albania.
Akeem Priestley - Sheikh Russel KC - Bangladesh - Offseason.
Pablo Punyed - Stjarnan - Iceland - Started and scored a goal in El Salvador's 3-1 loss to Haiti. Played in El Salvador's 1-1 draw with Guatemala.
Oriol Rosell - Sporting Club de Portugal - Portugal -
Soony Saad - BCC Tero (loaned from BEC Tero Sasana FC) - Thailand - Offseason.
Peter Schmetz - Wuppertaler SV - Germany - Started and played 90 minutes in Wuppertaler's 3-0 loss to VfR Fischeln.
Martin Steuble - Ceres-La Salle - Philippines - Started and played 90 minutes in the Philippines 0-0 draw with North Korea. Started and played 90 minutes in the Philippines' 2-0 loss to Bahrain.
Milos Stojcev - Atromitos - Greece - No game this week.
Matt Taylor - Saarbrücken - Germany - Started and played 90 minutes in Saarbrucken's 3-0 loss to Astoria Walldorf.

Former SKC Wizards - April Fool Edition

It is probably my least favorite day of the year, April Fools Day. Two former Sporting KC players got in on the act today. First it was Soony Saad stating on Twitter that he was returning to MLS and Sporting Kansas City. Saad left the team after last season as he was out of contract and moved to  Thailand where he plays for BCC Tero on loan from BEC Tero Sasana FC. Dom Dwyer even got in on the play as well. The second one involved former captain and now Oklahoma Energy coach, Jimmy Nielsen. The Energy put out a release saying that because of injuries Nielsen had signed a contract to be available to play for the Energy. I have to say that this one actually did get me and got me thinking that Nielsen actually was set to be an emergency keeper for the Energy.

Here's the rest of this week's update.

Active without a club or unknown
Federico Bessone
Bobby Convey
Mechack Jerome - Started and played 90 minutes in Haiti's 2-2 draw with China.
Will John
Michael Kafari
Neal Kitson
Jonathan Leathers
Nelson Pizarro
Ivan Trujillo
Konrad Warzycha

MLS
Davy Arnaud - DC - Started and played 90 minutes in DC's 1-0 win over LA.
Teal Bunbury - New England - Out injured.
Aurelien Collin - Orlando City - Started and played 90 mintes in Orlando's 2-2 draw with Montreal.
Luis Gil - Salt Lake - Away with US U23 team.
Michael Harrington - Colorado - Started and played 90 minutes in Colorado's 0-0 draw with Houston.
Jack Jewsbury - Portland - Did not dress in Portland's 2-1 loss to Vancouver.
Eddie Johnson - DC - Out on leave.
Kei Kamara - Columbus - Started and played 90 minutes in Columbus' 2-1 loss to New York.
Chris Konopka - Toronto - Dressed but did not play in Toronto's 2-1 loss to RSL.
Eric Kronberg - Montreal - Started and played 90 minutes in Montreal's 2-2 draw with Orlando.
CJ Sapong - Philadelphia - Out injured.
Khari Stephenson - San Jose - Did not dress in San Jose's 2-1 loss to New England.
Tyson Wahl - Columbus - Dressed but did not play in Columbus' 2-1 loss to New York.
Sal Zizzo - New York - Started and played 66 minutes in New York's 2-1 win over Columbus.

NASL
Stefan Antonijevic - Tampa Bay - No game until 4-4.
James Marcelin - Fort Lauderdale - No game until 4-4
Rauwshan McKenzie - Atlanta - No game until 4-4.
Kyle Miller - Atlanta - No game until 4-4.

USL
Christian Duke - Oklahoma City - Started and played 45 minutes in OKC's 1-1 draw with Tulsa.
Brian Fekete - Austin - Did not play in Austin's 2-0 win over Colorado Springs.
Adnan Gabeljic - Sacramento - Came off the bench and played 21 minutes in Sacramento's 3-2 win over LA 2.
Cyprian Hedrick - Oklahoma City - Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 1-1 draw with Tulsa.
Alex Martinez - Charlotte- Did not play in Charlotte's 3-2 loss to Charleston.
Victor Munoz - Arizona - Started and played 71 minutes, recording an assist in Arizona's 2-1 win over Orange County.
Tony Rocha - Austin - Started and played 90 minutes in Austin's 2-0 win over Colorado Springs.
Michael Thomas - Oklahoma City - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in OKC's 1-1 draw with Tulsa.
Yomby William - Richmond - Started and played 90 minutes in Richmond's 2-2 draw with Wilmington.

Indoor
Jamar Beasley - Ontario - Offseason.
Adnan Gabeljic - St. Louis - Offseason.
Josh Gardner - Missouri - Offseason.
Pat Healey - Baltimore - Offseason.
Mike Jones - Dallas - Offseason.
Michal Mravec - Tacoma - Offseason.
Boris Pardo - Wichita - Offseason.

International
Korede Aiyegbusi - Auerbach - Germany - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Auerbach's 3-1 loss to BAK 07.
Scott Angevine - Vasa - Finland - No games until 4/12
Vicente Arze - Blooming - Bolivia - Did not dress in either of Blooming's games.
Claudio Bieler - Quilmes - Argentina - Started and played 45 minutes in Quilmes' 4-0 loss to Sarmiento.
Omar Bravo - Chivas - Mexico - No game this week.
Reinaldo Brenes - Saprissa - Costa Rica - Came off the bench and played 39 minutes in Saprissa's 2-1 loss to Belen Siglo XXI.
Mitchell Cardenas - Atlético Coatzacoalcos - Mexico - Tied Pioneros de Cancun 1-1.
Sunil Chhetri - Bengaluru - India - Started and played 90 minutes in Bengaluru's 4-1 win over Sporting Goa.
Jorge Claros - Qingdao Jonoon - China - No game this week.
Eloy Colombano - AD Berazategui - Lost to Deportivo Armenio on penalty kicks. Defeated Defensores de Cambaceres 2-1.
Daneil Cyrus - Ha Noi T&T (W Connection) - Vietnam (Trinidad) - No game until 4/3
Toni Dovale - CD Lugo - Spain - Came off the bench and played 24 minutes in Lugo's 3-2 loss to Llagostero.
Pablo Escobar - Cúcuta Deportivo - Colombia - Did not play in Cucuta's 2-1 loss to Medellin.
Herculez Gomez - Puebla - Mexico - No game this week.
Jermaine Hue - Harbour View - Jamaica - Lost 1-0 to Boys' Town.
Jeferson - Boavista - Brazil - Did not dress in either of Boavista's games.
Peterson Joseph - Azam FC - Tanzania - No game this week.
Igor Juliao - Fluminense - Brazil - Did not dress in either of Fluminense's games.
Carlos Marinelli - Universidad San Martin - Peru - No game this week.
Igor Kostrov - FK Kyzyl-Zhar - Kazakhstan - No game until 4-4.
Neven Markovic - Servette FC - Switzerland - No game this week.
Yura Movsisyan - Spartak Moscow - Russia - Started and played 90 minutes in Armenia's 2-1 loss to Albania.
Lawrence Olum - Kedah FA - Malaysia - No game this week.
Akeem Priestley - Sheikh Russel KC - Bangladesh - Offseason.
Pablo Punyed - Stjarnan - Iceland - Defeated Keflavik 2-0.
Oriol Rosell - Sporting Club de Portugal - Portugal -No game this week.
Soony Saad - BCC Tero (loaned from BEC Tero Sasana FC) - Thailand - Defeatd R-BAC 1-0.
Peter Schmetz - Wuppertaler SV - Germany - Defeated TuRU 1880 Dusseldorf 3-2.
Yann Songo'o - Blackburn - England - No game this week.
Martin Steuble - Ceres-La Salle - Philippines - Started and played 90 minutes in the Philippines' 2-1 loss to Bahrain.
Milos Stojcev - FK Sarajevo - Bosnia - No game this week.
Matt Taylor - Saarbrücken - Germany - Started and played 90 minutes in Saarbrucken's 1-0 win over Koblenz. Started and played 90 minutes in Saarbrucken's 0-0 draw with Waldhof Mannheim.

Youngest and Oldest Players to Appear/Start for KC

Another stat for you, the youngest and oldest players to appear in or start games in league play and in all competitions.

In league play, one new player joined the list, on loan midfielder, Jimmy Medranda came in at 6th when he came on as a sub against the Columbus Crew. Medranda knocked Daneil Cyrus out of the top 10. Of players that could join this list this year, there's only one currently on the roster, 16 year old Erik Palmer-Brown.

Ten youngest to appear in a league game for KC.
1. Nino da Silva - 18 years, 158 days - 8/31/1997 - DC United
2. Yura Movsisyan - 18 years, 311 days - 5/13/2006 - DC United
3. Soony Saad - 19 years, 0 days - 8/17/2011 - Portland
4. Jake Dancy - 19 years, 137 days - 8/24/1997 - San Jose
5. Jose Burciaga - 19 years, 184 days - 5/19/2001 - Chicago
6. Jimmy Medranda - 19 years, 212 days - 9/7/2013 - Columbus
7. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 28 days - 3/27/2011 - DC United
8. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 35 days - 8/11/2012 - DC United
9. Chance Myers - 20 years, 124 days - 4/9/2008 - New England
10. Francisco Gomez - 20 years, 132 days - 6/6/1999 - Los Angeles

In all competitions, again Medranda joined the list, coming in at 7th place on this list. Another named that joined the list this year was first round draft pick, Mikey Lopez who made his professional debut against Des Moines in the US Open Cup. They knocked Chance Myers and Francisco Gomez out of the top 10.

Ten youngest to appear in a competitive game for KC.
1. Nino da Silva - 18 years, 158 days - 8/31/1997 - DC United
2. Yura Movsisyan - 18 years, 311 days - 5/13/2006 - DC United
3. Soony Saad - 19 years, 0 days - 8/17/2011 - Portland
4. Jon Kempin - 19 years, 51 days - 5/29/2012 - Orlando
5. Jake Dancy - 19 years, 137 days - 8/24/1997 - San Jose
6. Jose Burciaga - 19 years, 184 days - 5/19/2001 - Chicago
7. Jimmy Medranda - 19 years, 212 days - 9/7/2013 - Columbus
8. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 28 days - 3/27/2011 - DC United
9. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 35 days - 8/11/2012 - DC United
10. Mikey Lopez - 20 years, 97 days - 5/28/2013 - Des Moines

Of league starts, no new players joined the list this year.

Ten youngest players to START a league match.
1. Yura Movsisyan - 18 years, 357 days - 6/28/2006 - DC United
2. Jose Burciaga - 19 years, 184 days - 5/19/2001 - Chicago
3. Soony Saad - 19 years, 308 days - 6/20/2012 - Seattle
4. Nino da Silva - 20 years, 11 days - 6/6/1999 - Los Angeles
5. Jake Dancy - 20 years, 52 days - 5/31/1998 - Colorado
6. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 77 days - 9/22/2012 - Montreal
7. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 85 days - 5/23/2010 - Columbus
8. Chance Myers - 20 years, 127 days - 4/12/2008 - Houston
9. Daneil Cyrus - 20 years ,227 days - 7/30/2011 - New England
10. Francisco Gomez - 20 years, 228 days - 9/10/1999 - Colorado

In all competition starts, Lopez again joined the top 10, knocking Cyrus out of the top 10.

Ten youngest players to START a competitive game for KC.
1. Yura Movsisyan - 18 years, 357 days - 6/28/2006 - DC United
2. Jon Kempin - 19 years, 51 days - 5/29/2012 - Orlando
3. Jose Burciaga - 19 years, 184 days - 5/19/2001 - Chicago
4. Soony Saad - 19 years, 286 days - 5/29/2012 - Orlando
5. Nino da Silva - 20 years, 11 days - 6/6/1999 - Los Angeles
6. Teal Bunbury - 20 years, 45 days - 4/13/2010 - Colorado
7. Jake Dancy - 20 years, 52 days - 5/31/1998 - Colorado
8. Oriol Rosell - 20 years, 77 days - 9/22/2012 - Montreal
9, Mikey Lopez - 20 years, 97 days - 5/28/2013 - Des Moines
10. Chance Myers - 20 years, 127 days - 4/12/2008 - Houston

Among the oldest players, the only movement on the list is goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen moving up the list. On all four of the lists below, Nielsen finished his career as the 3rd oldest all time behind the Preki and Mo Johnston.

Ten oldest players to appear in a league game for KC.
1. Preki - 42 years, 113 days - 10/15/2005 - Dallas
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 121 days - 8/12/2001 - Colorado
3. Jimmy Nielsen - 36 years, 81 days - 10/26/2013 - Philadelphia
4. Peter Vermes - 35 years, 303 days - 9/20/2002 - Colorado
5. Tony Meola - 35 years, 179 days - 8/18/2004 - Columbus
6. Richard Gough - 35 years, 174 days - 9/26/1997 - Colorado
7. Kevin Hartman - 35 years, 152 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
8. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
9. Bo Oshoniyi - 34 years, 345 days - 10/14/2006 - New York
10. Kerry Zavagnin - 34 years, 115 days - 10/25/2008 - New England

Ten oldest players in all competitions for KC.
1. Preki - 42 years, 113 days - 10/15/2005 - Dallas
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 222 days - 11/21/2001 - Santos Laguna
3. Jimmy Nielsen - 36 years, 123 days - 12/7/2013 - Salt Lake
4. Peter Vermes - 35 years, 315 days - 10/2/2002 - Los Angeles
5. Tony Meola - 35 years, 214 days - 9/22/2004 - Chicago
6. Richard Gough - 35 years, 186 days - 10/8/1997 - Colorado
7. Kevin Hartman - 35 years, 152 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
8. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
9. Bo Oshoniyi - 34 years, 345 days - 10/14/2006 - New York
10. Kerry Zavagnin - 34 years, 115 days - 10/25/2008 - New England

Ten oldest players to START a league game.
1. Preki - 42 years, 99 days - 10/1/2005 - Chicago
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 113 days - 8/4/2001 - Columbus
3. Jimmy Nielsen - 36 years, 81 days - 10/26/2013 - Philadelphia
4. Peter Vermes - 35 years, 303 days - 9/20/2002 - Colorado
5. Tony Meola - 35 years, 179 days - 8/18/2004 - Columbus
6. Richard Gough - 35 years, 174 days - 9/26/1997 - Colorado
7. Kevin Hartman - 35 years, 152 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
8. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
9. Bo Oshoniyi - 34 years, 345 days - 10/14/2006 - New York
10. Kerry Zavagnin - 34 years, 67 days - 9/7/2008 - Houston

Ten oldest players to START a competitive game for KC.
1. Preki - 42 years, 99 days - 10/1/2005 - Chicago
2. Mo Johnston - 38 years, 222 days - 11/21/2001 - Santos Laguna
3. Jimmy Nielsen - 36 years, 123 days - 12/7/2013 - Salt Lake
4. Peter Vermes - 35 years, 315 days - 10/2/2002 - Los Angeles
5. Tony Meola - 35 years, 214 days - 9/22/2004 - Chicago
6. Richard Gough - 35 years, 186 days - 10/8/1997 - Colorado
7. Kevin Hartman - 35 years, 152 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
8. Claudio Lopez - 35 years, 99 days - 10/24/2009 - DC United
9. Bo Oshoniyi - 34 years, 345 days - 10/14/2006 - New York
10. Kerry Zavagnin - 34 years, 67 days - 9/7/2008 - Houston

Single Season Minutes Played

Another statistical update, this time minutes played in a season. In 2013, Jimmy Nielsen tied his club record for minutes played with 3,060 for playing every minute.

1. Jimmy Nielsen - 2012 - 3060
2. Jimmy Nielsen - 2013 - 3060
3. Nick Garcia - 2000 - 2916
4. Peter Vermes - 2000 - 2916
5. Preki - 1996 - 2880
6. Bo Oshoniyi - 2005 - 2880
7. Matt Besler - 2011 - 2880
8. Mark Chung - 1997 - 2871
9. Kei Kamara - 2012 - 2871
10. Mark Chung - 1996 - 2847

In all competitions, a new record was hit as Seth Sinovic set a team record for minutes in a season with 3,733 played, topping the old record set by Nick Garcia and Peter Vermes during KC's 2000 MLS Cup winning season. In fact, KC added four players to the top 10 this year. Jimmy Nielsen, Oriol Rosell, and Aurelien Collin all joined the list this season.

1. Seth Sinovic - 2013 - 3733
2. Nick Garcia - 2000 - 3695
3. Peter Vermes - 2000 - 3695
4. Jimmy Nielsen - 2012 - 3630
5. Kerry Zavagnin - 2002 - 3606
6. Jimmy Nielsen - 2013 - 3570
7. Oriol Rosell - 2013 - 3553
8. Nick Garcia - 2002 - 3531
9. Aurelien Collin - 2013 - 3525
10. Kerry Zavagnin - 2000 - 3522

Single Season Appearances and Starts

More stats for you, this time single season appearances and starts

Once again, Jimmy Nielsen appeared in all league games for Sporting KC, the second straight time Nielsen's done it and the third time overall. Seth Sinovic missed just two league games this past year to also get onto the list.

CJ Sapong - 2011 - 34
Jimmy Nielsen - 2012 - 34
Jimmy Nielsen - 2013 - 34
Kei Kamara - 2012 - 33
Preki - 1996 - 32
Mark Chung - 1996 - 32
Mark Chung - 1997 - 32
Nick Garcia - 2000 - 32
Peter Vermes - 2000 - 32
Bo Oshoniyi - 2005 - 32
Davy Arnaud - 2006 - 32
Matt Besler - 2011 - 32
Graham Zusi - 2011 - 32
Graham Zusi - 2012 - 32
Seth Sinovic - 2013 - 32

In all competitions, Sporting set a club record for competitive games, playing 45, so a number of players made the list for all competitions. Including Oriol Rosell and Seth Sinovic who set a club record by appearing in 42 games this past season. Jimmy Nielsen and Aurelien Collin both appeared in 39 to also get onto the list.

Oriol Rosell - 2013 - 42
Seth Sinovic - 2013 - 42
Nick Garcia - 2000 - 40
Peter Vermes - 2000 - 40
Chris Brown - 2002 - 40
CJ Sapong - 2011 - 40
Jimmy Nielsen - 2012 - 40
Kerry Zavagnin - 2000 - 39
Preki - 2000 - 39
Chris Henderson - 2000 - 39
Kerry Zavagnin - 2002 - 39
Matt Besler - 2011 - 39
Graham Zusi - 2012 - 39
Jimmy Nielsen - 2013 - 39
Aurelien Collin - 2013 - 39

When it comes to league starts, Nielsen again tops the list tying his club record with 34 again. Sinovic and Rosell also made the list, starting 31 games this past season.

Jimmy Nielsen - 2012 - 34
Jimmy Nielsen - 2013 - 34
Preki - 1996 - 32
Mark Chung - 1996 - 32
Mark Chung - 1997 - 32
Nick Garcia - 2000 - 32
Peter Vermes - 2000 - 32
Bo Oshoniyi - 2005 - 32
Matt Besler - 2011 - 32
Kei Kamara - 2012 - 32
Sean Bowers - 1996 - 31
Kerry Zavagnin - 2000 - 31
Tony Meola - 2000 - 31
Brandon Prideaux - 2000 - 31
Chris Klein - 2005 - 31
Jose Burciaga Jr - 2005 - 31
Jimmy Nielsen - 2011 - 31
Graham Zusi - 2012 - 31
Oriol Rosell - 2013 - 31
Seth Sinovic - 2013 - 31

When it comes to starts in all competitions again new records were set as Rosell and Sinovic both started 41 games for KC this season. Nielsen and Collin were not far behind starting 39.

Oriol Rosell - 2013 - 41
Seth Sinovic - 2013 - 41
Nick Garcia - 2000 - 40
Peter Vermes - 2000 - 40
Jimmy Nielsen - 2012 - 40
Kerry Zavagnin - 2000 - 39
Kerry Zavagnin - 2002 - 39
Jimmy Nielsen - 2013 - 39
Aurelien Collin - 2013 - 39
Preki - 1996 - 38
Mark Chung - 1996 - 38
Tony Meola - 2000 - 38
Brandon Prideaux - 2000 - 38
Nick Garcia - 2002 - 38
Davy Arnaud - 2004 - 38
Matt Besler - 2011 - 38

Most Starts

Another stat, this time, most starts for Kansas City. In league play just two players hit the 100 appearance mark this past season. Matt Besler and Jimmy Nielsen both hit the century mark for starts in league play. Besler finishes the season behind Nielsen, but again is the current active leader and should pass Nielsen in the 2014 season. Also next season we should see four more players hit the mark. Graham Zusi and Chance Myers are just 9 appearances away from 100. While Seth Sinovic is 19 and Aurelien Collin is 22, so all four should hit 100 this coming season.

Kerry Zavagnin - 228
Nick Garcia - 224
Davy Arnaud - 213
Jimmy Conrad - 203
Preki - 199
Chris Klein - 183
Mo Johnston - 142
Jack Jewsbury - 142
Josh Wolff - 128
Michael Harrington - 128
Jimmy Nielsen - 128
Matt McKeon - 126
Tony Meola - 125
Matt Besler - 121
Jose Burciaga Jr. - 110
Diego Gutierrez - 108
Uche Okafor - 107
Sean Bowers - 104
Graham Zusi - 91
Chance Myers - 91
Seth Sinovic - 81
Aurelien Collin - 78
CJ Sapong - 62
Teal Bunbury - 48
Paulo Nagamura - 36
Oriol Rosell - 32
Claudio Bieler - 25
Benny Feilhaber - 22
Lawrence Olum - 19
Jacob Peterson - 19
Peterson Joseph - 18
Soony Saad - 17
Ike Opara - 15
Mechack Jerome - 8
Dom Dwyer - 7
Eric Kronberg - 4
Josh Gardner - 2
Kevin Ellis - 1

In all competitions there were four new additions to the list. Chance Myers and Graham Zusi both hit 100 starts, finishing with 112 and 111 respectively. Also joining the list was the departed Kei Kamara. He made 11 starts in all competitions before moving to Middlesbrough, finishing with 108. A late season addition to the list was Seth Sinovic who finished the season with 102 starts in all competitions. Next season will see at least one addition, in Aurelien Collin who sits just one appearance short of 100. After him is CJ Sapong on 77, he made 23 starts in all competitions this year, which would be enough in 2014 to see him make the list as well.

Kerry Zavagnin - 281
Nick Garcia - 272
Davy Arnaud - 234
Preki - 229
Jimmy Conrad - 228
Chris Klein - 216
Jack Jewsbury - 162
Matt McKeon - 159
Mo Johnston - 157
Tony Meola - 156
Josh Wolff - 144
Matt Besler - 144
Michael Harrington - 143
Jimmy Nielsen - 142
Diego Gutierrez - 135
Jose Burciaga Jr. - 123
Uche Okafor - 116
Sean Bowers - 113
Chance Myers - 112
Graham Zusi - 111
Kei Kamara - 108
Roger Espinoza - 106
Bo Oshoniyi - 105
Mark Chung - 103
Sasha Victorine - 102
Seth Sinovic - 102
Kevin Hartman - 100
Aurelien Collin - 99
CJ Sapong - 77
Teal Bunbury - 61
Paulo Nagamura - 45
Oriol Rosell - 43
Benny Feilhaber - 31
Jacob Peterson - 29
Claudio Bieler - 28
Lawrence Olum - 27
Peterson Joseph - 24
Soony Saad - 23
Ike Opara - 20
Eric Kronberg - 18
Dom Dwyer - 12
Mechack Jerome - 11
Josh Gardner - 5
Kevin Ellis - 2
Jon Kempin - 1
Mikey Lopez - 1

Most Appearances

More stat updates for you. This time appearances for Sporting KC. This season four players made their 100th league appearance for KC, with Kei Kamara, Jimmy Nielsen, Chance Myers, and Graham Zusi all hitting the mark. Even though he was passed by Nielsen during the season, with Nielsen's retirement, Matt Besler is again the active leader in appearances with 126. This year could very well see another four players join the list as CJ Sapong (90), Teal Bunbury (89), Seth Sinovic (82), and Aurelien Collin (81) are all within 20 appearances of 100.

Davy Arnaud - 240
Kerry Zavagnin - 237
Nick Garcia - 224
Preki - 218
Jimmy Conrad - 204
Chris Klein - 200
Jack Jewsbury - 195
Mo Johnston - 149
Michael Harrington - 149
Josh Wolff - 144
Matt McKeon - 144
Jimmy Nielsen - 128
Matt Besler - 126
Tony Meola - 125
Chris Brown - 123
Graham Zusi - 123
Diego Gutierrez - 119
Uche Okafor - 119
Chance Myers - 116
Jose Burciaga - 115
Francisco Gomez - 114
Roger Espinoza - 113
Kei Kamara - 113
Sean Bowers - 111
Sasha Victorine - 106
Digital Takawira - 103
CJ Sapong - 90
Teal Bunbury - 89
Seth Sinovic - 82
Aurelien Collin - 81
Paulo Nagamura - 44
Lawrence Olum - 42
Jacob Peterson - 39
Oriol Rosell - 36
Soony Saad - 36
Peterson Joseph - 34
Claudio Bieler - 28
Benny Feilhaber - 27
Ike Opara - 18
Dom Dwyer - 17
Mechack Jerome - 10
Josh Gardner - 8
Eric Kronberg - 5
Kevin Ellis - 2
Jimmy Medranda - 1

In all competitions this year four players also joined the list of players with 100 appearances. CJ Sapong, Teal Bunbury, Seth Sinovic, and Aurelien Collin all made it over the 100 appearances mark for KC in all competitions. Unfortunately no one is likely to hit the mark this year, without some deep runs in the CCL, US Open Cup, and playoffs and some players playing each of those games. Also this season, Matt Besler became just the 14th player to appear in 150 games in all competitions for KC.

Kerry Zavagnin - 291
Davy Arnaud - 273
Nick Garcia - 273
Preki - 254
Chris Klein - 235
Jimmy Conrad - 230
Jack Jewsbury - 218
Matt McKeon - 183
Michael Harrington - 170
Mo Johnston - 169
Josh Wolff - 165
Tony Meola - 156
Matt Besler - 151
Chris Brown - 150
Diego Gutierrez - 147
Graham Zusi - 145
Jimmy Nielsen - 142
Francisco Gomez - 141
Chance Myers - 138
Jose Burciaga - 130
Uche Okafor - 130
Roger Espinoza - 130
Kei Kamara - 126
Sean Bowers - 120
Sasha Victorine - 114
CJ Sapong - 114
Digital Takawira - 111
Bo Oshoniyi - 110
Teal Bunbury - 105
Mark Chung - 104
Seth Sinovic - 103
Aurelien Collin - 102
Shavar Thomas - 101
Kevin Hartman - 100
Paulo Nagamura - 53
Lawrence Olum - 52
Jacob Peterson - 52
Oriol Rosell - 48
Soony Saad - 46
Peterson Joseph - 42
Benny Feilhaber - 36
Claudio Bieler - 35
Dom Dwyer - 28
Ike Opara - 25
Eric Kronberg - 19
Mechack Jerome - 13
Josh Gardner - 12
Kevin Ellis - 4
Jon Kempin - 1
Mikey Lopez - 1
Jimmy Medranda - 1

10,000 Minute Club

Going through and updating the stats again in the offseason. It's gonna be a quick one with how late KC's 2013 season ended. To start us off, here's the updated 10,000 minute club.

In 2013, two players joined the 10,000 minute club in league play. Both Matt Besler and Jimmy Nielsen joined the club this year. Jimmy Nielsen ends his MLS career 11th on the list for KC with 11,497 minutes played for KC, less than a full game behind 10th place Matt McKeon on the list. Matt Besler was passed during the season by Nielsen because of Besler's time with the US national team, but Besler still ended up finishing 14th on the list with 10,971. As for who could join the list in 2014, Chance Myers and Graham Zusi are both a little under 1,500 minutes from joining the list. Even with the World Cup Zusi should make the list this year. Both Seth Sinovic and Aurelien Collin have outside chances to make the list, but both would have to play virtually every league minute to make the list.

1. Kerry Zavagnin - 20,516
2. Nick Garcia - 20,158
3 Davy Arnaud - 19, 399
4. Jimmy Conrad - 18,194
5. Preki - 17,818
6. Chris Klein - 16,381
7. Jack Jewsbury - 13,275
8. Mo Johnston - 12,600
9. Michael Harrington - 11,633
10. Matt McKeon - 11,584
11. Jimmy Nielsen - 11,497
12. Josh Wolff - 11,467
13. Tony Meola - 11,331
14. Matt Besler - 10,971

In all competitions, Sporting had three players join the 10,000 minute club. Nielsen made his way onto the list very early in the season finishing his career with 12,847 in all competitions. Meanwhile Myers (10,509) and Zusi (10,435) both made the list this season as well but not until late. As for next season, both Sinovic and Collin should make the list as both are right around 1,000 minutes away from landing on the list. With just over 2,500 minutes next season (which he's done in two of his three seasons) CJ Sapong could also join the list for KC.

1. Kerry Zavagnin - 25,290
2. Nick Garcia - 24,650
3. Davy Arnaud - 21,607
4. Preki - 20,647
5. Jimmy Conrad - 20,551
6. Chris Klein - 19,437
7. Jack Jewsbury - 14,973
8. Matt McKeon - 14,602
9. Tony Meola - 14,205
10. Mo Johnston - 14,182
11. Michael Harrington - 13,276
12. Matt Besler - 13,137
13. Josh Wolff - 12,939
14. Jimmy Nielsen - 12,847
15. Diego Gutierrez - 12,246
16. Jose Burciaga - 10,624
17. Chance Myers - 10,509
18. Graham Zusi - 10,435
19. Uche Okafor - 10,281

Nielsen vs Meola

While watching Sporting KC lift MLS Cup, a thought went through my head regarding goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. It's hard not to judge Nielsen's career with Kansas City compared to that of Sporting Legend, Tony Meola. Up until Nielsen's arrival, Meola appeared to be on an untouchable level among goalkeepers for Kansas City.

After four years here though I think Nielsen has equaled or bettered Meola for his time with Kansas City.

Statistically, Nielsen has bettered numbers that I wasn't sure another goalkeeper would reach. Playing a similar number of games as Meola (128 league for Nielsen vs 125 for Meola), Nielsen recorded more wins, 57 to 49, had more shutouts 45 to 37, and a lower goals against average .99 to 1.22.

In all competitions, Meola made more appearances than Nielsen 156 to 142, but Nielsen topped him in wins 65 to 63, shutouts, 52 to 47, and GAA .95 to 1.24.

Nielsen ends his career as the all time leader in MLS for goals against average for a goalkeeper with over 1,000 minutes played at .99. Meola meanwhile retired as the MLS all time leader in basically every category a goalkeeper could hold.

Award wise, Meola leads that category, winning goalkeeper of the year, comeback player of the year, league MVP and MLS Cup MVP all in 2000, where he set a number of a single season records. Nielsen topped many of those records in 2012 on his way to winning goalkeeper of the year in 2012. One he didn't top was Meola's single season shutout record of 16.

The other thing that both players will likely be judged on is their performance in the league's marquee game, MLS Cup. For me this one isn't an argument, although I've had people go the opposite way. For me, the better performance goes to Meola. Nielsen made some big saves, including two in the PK shootout, but I don't think you can top Meola's 10 save performance. While Nielsen made the two penalty stops, and the mystique of doing it with 2 broken ribs will surely help his argument, the rest of his game was not that good. He got beaten to the near post, which most goalkeepers will tell you is a cardinal sin, on RSL's goal, and was saved by the goalkeepers best friend, the post, on three other chances by Salt Lake. The first by Robbie Findley in a situation very similar to the one Findley scored on when the teams met in the regular season. The second a long range effort by Kyle Beckerman that bounced and hit the post, although Nielsen may have had it covered. The third he was left to watch Javier Morales' curling shot hit the base of the post and some how curl around the opposite post.

Now to be fair, Meola was also saved by his cross bar on an effort by Diego Gutierrez, oddly in a situation the exact opposite of Findley's miss for Salt Lake. Instead of coming off his line to attempt to punch a ball clear, Meola stayed at home, but Gutierrez missed.

In the end I think Nielsen will likely go down as the better keeper for KC, eventually taking his place as a Sporting Legend. But Meola is not that far behind Nielsen.

Sporting Have a New Affiliate

Today, Sporting KC confirmed the rumors that had come out on Wednesday this week. Sporting KC will have to affiliate teams in the US third division, the USL-Pro. Along with continuing their partnership with Orlando City for the final year of their two year deal, Sporting will also have an affiliation with expansion side, the Oklahoma City Energy.

The deal will see Sporting KC send four players on loan again, this time though, the two teams will get two players each from Sporting KC on loan. The move allows KC to not break their deal with Orlando City, but also allows them to prepare beyond 2014 as Orlando City will be moving up to MLS after next season. So in 2015, the Energy will be KC's only USL affiliate.

Sporting's newest affiliate also announced their coach today, and once again, the rumors were true as Sporting's recently retired captain and goalkeeper, Jimmy Nielsen. Nielsen moves right from the field to the sideline. He'll have quite a bit of work to do filling out the rest of his roster before the season. Already there's some speculation that Sporting's first home grown player, Jon Kempin will be heading down to OKC in 2014 and be the club's starting goalkeeper. We'll see if that ends up happening.

Nielsen Candidate for OKC Coaching Job - Former SKC Wizards Update

It looks like it may not take long for Jimmy Nielsen to find his first post playing career job. As I mentioned earlier tonight, Nielsen is apparently a candidate to become the first head coach for USL-Pro side, Oklahoma City Energy. Combine that with the talk that OKC will become an affiliate for KC, and Nielsen could still play a role for KC.

In other former KC player becoming a coach news, Frank Klopas was named the head coach for the Montreal Impact. He'll become the club's third coach in their three seasons since becoming an MLS team. And the other big news this week, was the move by Eddie Johnson from Seattle to DC United for allocation money. Here's the rest of this week's update.

Active without a club or unknown
Jose Burciaga
Julio Cesar
Edson Elcock
Brian Fekete
Aaron Hohlbein
Mike Jones
Jonathan Leathers
Scott Sealy
Ivan Trujillo
Michael Thomas
Shavar Thomas
Diego Walsh
Konrad Warzycha

MLS
Davy Arnaud - DC - Offseason.
Bobby Convey - New York - Offseason.
Luis Gil - Salt Lake - Offseason.
Michael Harrington - Portland - Offseason.
Jack Jewsbury - Portland - Offseason.
Eddie Johnson - DC - Offseason.
Chris Konopka - Toronto - Offseason
Rauwshan McKenzie - Portland - Offseason.
Khari Stephenson - Salt Lake - Offseason.
Tyson Wahl - Columbus - Offseason

NASL
Stefan Antonijevic - Fort Lauderdale - Offseason.

USL
Cyprian Hedrick - Phoenix - Offseason.
Neal Kitson - Phoenix - Offseason.
Nelson Pizarro - Los Angeles - Offseason.
Mike Reidy - Rochester - Offseason.
Yomby William - Richmond - Offseason.
John Wilson - Charleston - Offseason.

PDL
Scott Angevine - Des Moines - Offseason

Other
Birahim Diop - New England Force

Indoor
Jamar Beasley - St. Louis - Did not play in either of St. Louis' games.
Pat Healey - Baltimore - Played in Baltimore's 12-0 win over Rochester.

International
Korede Aiyegbusi - FC Haka - Finland - Offseason.
Vicente Arze - Sporting Charleroi - Did not dressed in Charleroi's 2-2 draw with Club Brugge.
Omar Bravo - Chivas - Mexico - No game this week.
Mitchell Cardenas - Atlético Coatzacoalcos - Mexico - No game this week.
Sunil Chhetri - Bengaluru - India - Started and played 90 minutes in Bengaluru's 2-0 loss to East Bengal.
Eloy Colombano - UAI Urquiza - Argentina - No game this week.
Daneil Cyrus - W Connection - Trinidad - No game this week.
Pablo Escobar - Patriotas Boyaca - Colombia - No game this week.
Roger Espinoza - Wigan - England - Started and played 90 minutes in Wigan's 2-1 loss to Maribor. Did not dress in Wigan's 3-2 win over Bolton.
Herculez Gomez - Tijuana - Mexico - No game this week.
Jermaine Hue - Harbour View - Jamaica - Suspended
Jeferson - AC Goianiense - Brazil - No game until January.
Will John - AZAL - Azerbaijan - Started and played 90 minutes in Azal's 3-0 loss to Simurq.
Kei Kamara - Middlesbrough - England - Did not dress in Middlesbrough's 1-0 loss to Brighton.
Igor Kostrov - Slavia - Belarus - Offseason.
Carlos Marinelli - Universidad San Martin - Peru - Offseason.
Neven Markovic - Servette FC - Switzerland - No game this week.
Yura Movsisyan - Spartak Moscow - Russia - No game til March.
Michal Mravec - Zilina - Slovakia - No games until February.
Akeem Priestly - RoPS - Finland - Offseason.
Pablo Punyed - Fylkir - Iceland - Offseason.
Yann Songo'o - Blackburn - England - Did not dress in Blackburn's 3-2 win over Millwall.
Milos Stojcev - Atyrau - Kazakhstan - Offseason.
Matt Taylor - Preußen Münster - Germany - Started and played 87 minutes in Munster's 0-0 draw with RB Leipzig.

Nielsen Announces His Retirement

A night of celebration for Sporting Kansas City's MLS Cup championship turned a little somber when Sporting goalkeeper and captain, Jimmy Nielsen announced that he was retiring as a professional soccer player.

The rumors of Nielsen's retirement had started to really gather steam in the few days ahead of the final. Tonight in front of an overflow crowd at Union Station, he made it official.

Nielsen will go down as one of the greatest goalkeepers in team history. He retires as the team leader in almost every single goalkeeper category in team history. He recorded more wins in league play (57) than any other keeper and more wins in all competitions (65). He also set team league (45) and all competition (52) shutout records for KC. He set a team record for league appearances and starts (128) and minutes played by a goalkeeper in league play (11,497). In all competitions he finished behind Tony Meola in most of those stats. He also retires tied for the team lead in consecutive league starts for KC, with 90 straight, tied with Kevin Hartman for the most all time. He also retires as the third oldest player to appear in a game for KC at 36 years, 123 days.

With Nielsen now retiring there are two on field questions for KC to answer. The first is who will mind net for KC next year. Eric Kronberg, the team's longest tenured player would seem to be a favorite, but in but in eight years with the team he has played just 19 games for KC, mainly in the Open Cup and CCL. He does sound like he is wanting to get more starting time, whether that is here or elsewhere remains to be seen.

Another internal option would be to have KC hand the reigns over to the team's first home grown player, Jon Kempin, but that doesn't seem as likely.

KC could also look within the league for a goalkeeper. A number of keepers could be available. They could look to go after the recently waived Michael Gspurning from Seattle, or local product, Andy Gruenebaum, whose contract was no renewed by Columbus. Another potential play would be to make a trade with Colorado for Matt Pickens, who appears to be on the way out there. Acquiring Pickens though would require more of a trade.

The other question is who will take up the captain's arm band now that the team's captain has retired. Over the past two years, Nielsen has been the clubs captain, but with his retirement the question is who will step up and replace him. The last player to wear the armband in a game not named Jimmy Nielsen ,was Besler in the team's last CCL group game. Besler would seem to be the favorite to pick up and become the leader of the team.

Congrats to the White Puma on a fantastic career that spanned 20 years  and he goes out where all athletes would love to go out at, on top.

Sunday After Stats

Sporting KC earned their fifth trophy tonight, tying them with Columbus for the fourth most in league history

Seth Sinovic set a team record for minutes played in all competitions in a single season, playing 3,733 minutes this year, topping the old record of 3,695 set by Nick Garcia and Peter Vermes in 2000.

Jimmy Nielsen finished 6th all time for minutes played in all competitions in a single season, with 3,570 minutes played.

Nielsen made his 142nd appearance in all competitions for KC, breaking his tie with Francisco Gomez for 17th on that list.

Oriol Rosell finished 7th all time for minutes played in all competitions in a single season with 3,553 minutes played.

Sinovic and Rosell extended their team record for appearances in all competitions in a single season, making their 42nd appearance of the season for KC.

Sinovic and Rosell also set a team record for starts in a single season. MLS Cup was both players' 41st start of the season.

Aurelien Collin's goal was his 3rd this season in the playoffs, the most in MLS this season.

His third goal gives him 4 in the playoffs for his KC career, tying him with Davy Arnaud for 3rd all time.

His 3 goals is tied for the third most in a single season in team history (Miklos Molnar 5 in 2000, Preki 4 in 1996, Preki 3 in 2002).

Collin finished 9th all time for minutes played in all competitions in a single season wtih 3,525 minuets played.

Graham Zusi's assist was his 40th in allcompetitions for KC, tying him with Arnaud for 3rd all time on that list.

Matt Besler made his 151st appearance in all competitions for KC, breaking his tie with Chris Brown for 13th on that list.

Besler made his 144th start in all competitions for KC, breaking his tie with Michael Harrington for 12th place on that list and tying him with Josh Wolff for 11th place on that list.

Dywer Loan/Transfer to England? And the Start of the Offseason

We barely got 24 hours to enjoy the winning of MLS Cup before focus really started to shift towards the 2014 season. Already we're getting rumors and speculation towards who may or may not be leaving the team. The big news today is out of England. It was only the passing mention at the end of an article about Dom Dwyer coming to the US to play soccer, but it could have a big effect on the team. According to the Telegraph, Dwyer says he is set to move to an unnamed Championship squad in January on loan. That loan could turn into a permanent transfer for the forward as well.

Dwyer leaving would be a surprising exit for Sporting KC. After a very successful loan to Orlando City earlier this year, Dwyer returned to KC and became an immediate contributor to KC and started three games in the playoffs, scoring the winning goal in KC's 2-1 win over Houston.

The Dwyer rumor is just the first rumor to come out post season, but it joins a number of potential player exits that have come up. It includes Jimmy Nielsen potentially retiring, Claudio Bieler and his exit after a falling out with Peter Vermes, Matt Besler and Graham Zusi potentially going out on loan as Jurgen Klinsmann has asked/pushed for. It also includes the "misquoted" rumors of Aurelien Collin wanting to move back to Europe and Eric Kronberg being out of contract.

It looks like we're set for an interesting offseason, and it's starting early.

MLS Cup Dreams Come True in Sporting Blue

Sporting KC are once again MLS Cup champions after a 10 round penalty kick shoot out against Real Salt Lake at Sporting Park 1-1 (7-6).

A few weeks ago, Sporting Park hosted the coldest game in MLS history (since they started tracking), that record fell yesterday with the temperature at 20 degrees. It fell over the course of the game, especially once the sun went down. With the cold temperatures, the play on the field suffered, especially in the first half as it seemed like both of teams were trying to adjust to the cold while also getting the early nerves out. KC suffered a big blow just the 8th minute when they had to sub out midfielder, Oriol Rosell after he hurt his ankle in a challenge. The games first good opportunity came in the 25th minute for KC. Graham Zusi played a ball into the box where CJ Sapong had gotten between two Salt Lake defenders. Sapong got his header on goal, but Nick Rimando got down well and pushed the shot away for a corner kick. RSL really should have grabbed the lead a few minutes later. Off a long ball into the box, Jimmy Nielsen came out to attempt to punch it clear but did not get enough on it. The ball fell to Robbie Findley at the back post for RSL. Unlike when the teams' first met and Findley put away a similar opportunity. This one he put right into the near post from a tough angle and the ball bounced into the grateful arms of Nielsen. In stoppage time in the first half KC had another good opportunity. A free kick by Zusi was only partially cleared to Matt Besler. Besler played a ball back over the top to Dom Dwyer, who chested the ball down but by the time he turned to shoot, Rimando had closed down and the shot was blocked.

Early in the second half, Sporting had another great opportunity to take the lead. Another Zusi free kick was lofted into the box, it landed at the feet of Sapong. His first touch carried him past his defender, but with space to shoot he fired his shot over the bar. RSL though started to get more of the play and pressure the ball further up the field. The pressure paid off as they scored in the 52nd. An errant pass by KC fell to Kyle Beckerman who played a no look pass over the top to Alvaro Saborio. Saborio brought it down with his chest/arm, and fired a shot that beat Nielsen to the near post giving RSL the lead. As KC pushed numbers forward trying to find an equalizer, Salt Lake looked to hit on the counter. In the 62nd they almost got a second. after Findley raced forward at KC's defense. He then laid the ball back and it went to Beckerman. The US national teamer fired a shot that took a slit deflection and bounced past Nielsen but ended up hitting the post and bouncing back into play. Luis Gil collected the rebound and squared the ball towards Saborio, but Gil was offside when Beckerman's shot was taken. KC's pressure continued but it was RSL that continued to get the better chances and in the 73rd the post again came to KC's rescue. Again it was findley leading the break. This time he squared the ball into the middle for Javier Morales. Morales turned and tried to curl a shot towards the net. Nielsen acted like it was going wide of the goal but it hit the post. The ball bounced back into play and curled around the opposite post for a goal kick. Just an incredibly odd bounce of the ball. Shortly after KC finally got their pressure to pay off. Off a corner kick, KC equalized. Zusi's corner found Aurelien Collin who out jumped Chris Schuler and headed the ball past Rimando and into the net. KC continued to pressure looking for a winner and almost got caught on the counter again. With numbers pushed forward for a corner, Salt Lake sprung a break with Ned Grabavoy. The midfielder raced into KC's half of the field with only Nielsen in front of him. Seth Sinovic raced back, recovering and knocking the ball away for a corner, a fantastic recovery from KC's left back.

The first period of extra time started out quickly. Findley thought he'd given RSL an early lead, but was ruled out for being offside. Shortly after at the other end of the field, KC had a penalty shout as Sapong went out after a challenge from Schuler. No foul was called and replays showed that it was a bit of embellishment from Sapong. In the 93rd KC had their best chance of extra time. A long throw from Matt Besler was headed by Schuler into the path of Zusi who one timed a volley on goal but Rimando did very well tipping the ball over the bar. KC continued to get the better of the play in extra time and in the 102nd had another good opportunity. A long ball by Paulo Nagamura was played into the box for Claudio Bieler. Bieler beat Nat Borchers to the ball and headed it into the path of Sapong who shot with Schuler right on his back but his shot went just over the bar. Salt Lake again thought they had the lead in extra time in the 105th minute. Sporting gave the ball away in their end of the field to Ned Grabavoy. He played the ball wide to Findley who crossed the ball to Saborio. The Costa Rican headed the ball in, but was ruled offside. The second period of extra time saw both teams continue to pressure, but neither was able to find a goal and again a cup final with KC was to be decided from the spot.

Sporting shot first and Bieler stepped up and sent Rimando the wrong way.  Saborio came up for RSL's first attempt. He couldn't level things though, putting his effort over the bar. Up second for KC was Nagamura. He too sent Rimando the wrong way and KC was up again. Grabavoy was Salt Lake's second shooter. He fired a shot to Nielsen's right, but the Dane dove down and made the save. After two rounds, KC was up 2-0 and looked good for the cup. Besler stepped up for KC's third PK. He shot to Rimando's left, but the Salt Lake keeper made the save. Beckerman gave Salt Lake a life line with their third attempt, cutting the lead to 2-1. Benny Feilhaber took KC's fourth attempt, going right up the middle, beating Rimando with pace to make it 3-1. Substitute Joao Plata took Salt Lake's fourth, needing to make it to keep their hopes alive, he put his shot high in to the net to make it 3-2. Zusi stepped up to take KC's fifth PK, a goal would win it. Zusi's effort though hit the top of the cross bar and went over. Morales stepped up as RSL's fifth taker, looking to force sudden death PKs. Morales went with the stutter step, sending Nielsen the wrong way and leveling the PKs at 3-3.

Into sudden death PKS we went. Sinovic stepped up first for KC, sending Rimando the wrong way again making it 4-3. Schuler took RSL's sixth attempt, sending it right down the middle as Nielsen dove left. Sapong stepped up for the seventh round, again getting Rimando to lean the wrong way as he went to Rimando's right making it 5-4. Tony Beltran stepped up for RSL. Nielsen guessed right going to his right, but Beltran put the PK off the post and in to level things at 5-5. Lawrence Olum, who subbed on in place of the injured Rosell went eighth. Olum though put his effort wide of the net. Sebastian Velasquez stepped up as the eighth shooter for RSL with the chance to win it. Velasquez though telegraphed where he was going, looking to Nielsen's right, looking down at the ball and again looking up to Nielsen's right. The Dane made the easy save, keeping the scores level at 5-5. Chance Myers stepped up with the ninth attempt for KC going to Rimando's left as he dove the opposite direction making it 6-5. Borchers went next for RSL again going up the middle, but this time Nielsen almost got his leg on it. With the tenth attempt, Collin stepped up for KC. Rimando guessed right going to his left, but Collin's PK was too well placed, going into the side netting to make it 7-6. The tenth shooter for RSL was Lovel Palmer. Palmer put his effort into the cross bar and it bounced back into play giving the title to Kansas City.

A final that may have lacked a bit when it came to style of play, certainly lived up to a final when it came to drama and fight.

Wizards Man of the Match - Aurelien Collin/Jimmy Nielsen - Collin and Nielsen split the award. Collin for the game tying goal and for burying a perfect shot for the winning PK. Nielsen, while he didn't have a great game, came up huge in the PK shootout, saving two, the big one being on Velasquez in sudden death.

Honorable mention - Seth Sinovic

Player Ratings - Nielsen 7, Sinovic 7, Collin 8, Besler 6, Myers 6, Rosell NR, Nagamura 6, Feilhaber 5, Zusi 5, Dwyer 5, Sapong 5. Subs Olum 6, Bieler 6.

Weather, SKC vs MU, and Other MLS Cup News

We're less than 48 hours away from MLS Cup. And with the game so close, there's lots of news coming out as soccer journalists around the US have descended on Kansas City for the final. Here's some news from today as MLS Cup gets closer.

Weather

This has been one of the big talking points for the last few weeks or so. After last weekend and earlier this week, that had temperatures in the 60's, the bottom has fallen out and temperatures for Saturday are now expected to only be in the 20's for Saturday. It gets even better, with the wind chill, it'll feel like it's in the single digits or below zero. Two weeks ago, KC played in the coldest game since MLS started keeping track in 2003. And Saturday it looks like a new record low could be hit. The expected snow this weekend looks like it'll hold off until Saturday night after the game, which is a good thing, but definitely dress in layers on Saturday.

SKC vs Mizzou

This has been a topic of discussion since last week when Mizzou defeated Texas A&M and clinched a spot in the SEC title game. That game kicks off in Atlanta at the same time that MLS Cup is set to kick off. With the two games starting at the same time, the conversation has turned to the coverage of both teams. So much so that the Wall Street Journal has made mention of it (albeit poorly in my opinion).

But let's be serious, Sporting KC is extremely unlikely to get top billing ahead of Mizzou, no matter how the SEC title game ends. Despite the MU/KU (and K-State) split in this city, MU is the larger fan base in the city. And while Sporting KC and soccer in general has made great strides in it's coverage in the media (print, TV, radio) over the past few years, football is still king in this city and country.

There really shouldn't be debate, unless you're a fan of both teams and not planning to attend one or the other. Then it becomes a debate of which one you watch live (or which one gets the big TV). Other than that, there is no debate here (especially in media coverage).

Retirement Questions

This shouldn't be a surprising conversation given the hunt by journalists around the city to find a story, but questions have been asked about Jimmy Nielsen's future. In the Guardian, as well as in today's press conference, Nielsen talked about potential retirement after Saturday's game.

The Guardian got the more in depth answer from Sporting's captain, and Nielsen was very diplomatic in his answer. Nielsen though didn't rule out the possibility of retiring, saying he'll make the decision after the game "If we win, then the first thing I'm going to do is go on a little vacation with my family. Then I will follow my gut feeling after that."

Going out on top would certainly have it's advantages, but plenty of fans would be disappointed if the White Puma chose to hang them up after the season.

Heineman Letter

Last year before the US Open Cup final against Seattle, Robb Heineman penned a letter to fans that was posted on the team's site, thanking the fans for their support and getting people excited for the final against the Sounders. This year he's done it again with another letter to the fans, and like last year, it has the desired effect. It gets more excitement for the fans and while it does have the general "rah-rah" you'd expect, it does speak to the great efforts that Sporting KC have made to endear themselves to the city and fans.

Sunday After Stats

Oriol Rosell and Seth Sinovic set a team record for appearances in a season. Both players made their 41st appearance of the season. Previous record had been held by 5 players with 40. Nick Garcia and Peter Vermes in 2000, Chris Brown in 2002, CJ Sapong in 2011, and Jimmy Nielsen in 2012.

Rosell and Sinovic also tied a team record for starts in a season with 40, tying Garcia, Vermes, and Nielsen.

Sporting KC's game was their 44th of the season, continuing to set a team record for most in a season.

CJ Sapong's goal was his 25th in all competitions for KC, he's the 9th player to hit that mark for KC.

Sapong's goal broke his tie with Teal Bunbury for goals scored in all competitions, giving him sole possession of 9th place on that list.

Sapong's goal was his 16th in all competitions at home, tying him with Digital Takawira for 8th all time on that list.

In the 13th minute, Matt Besler moved past Josh Wolff and into 12th place for minutes played in all competitions. He finished the game with 13,017 minutes played.

Last night was Besler's 150th appearance in all competitions, he's the 14th player to hit that mark for KC.

Besler tied Chris Brown for 13th place for appearances in all competitions last night.

Besler made his 143rd start last night in all competitions for KC, tying him with Michael Harrington for 12th on that list.

In the 56th minute, Graham Zusi moved past Uche Okafor and into 18th place for minutes played in all competitions. He finished the game with 10,315 minutes played.

Jimmy Nielsen made his 141st appearance in all competitions, tying him with Francisco Gomez for 17th place on that list.

Besler and Nielsen Up for Year End Awards

Today, MLS announced the finalists for their awards. Sporting Kansas City has two players up for the year end awards.  Matt Besler is up for defender of the year, while Jimmy Nielsen is up for goalkeeper of the year.

Besler's award will be announced next Tuesday, the 26th. For the second year in a row Besler is up for the award. He's up against his center back partner for the national team, Omar Gonzalez, and New England Revolution defender, Jose Goncalves. Full disclosure on my part, I voted for Goncalves first on my ballot, and second I believe I put down Jamison Olave. The thing that knocked Besler in my book was his time away from the team. I understand that he was away representing the US, but I based the awards on their time with their club team. And I felt Besler's absence for KC hurt him. Not just because of missed games, but because of how well his back up, Ike Opara, filled in when he was gone.

The goalkeeper of the year award gets announced on Wednesday December 4th. Like Besler, Nielsen is making another appearance on this list. This year, Nielsen is up against Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando, and Portland's Donovan Ricketts. Like with Belser, I did not vote Nielsen for goalkeeper of the year. Numbers wise, Nielsen's 2013 wasn't incredibly different than his 2012, but they were worse. He faced 2 less shots in 2013 (100) vs 2012 (102). He saved 9 less (68 to 77), he posted two less shutouts (13 to 15), allowed 3 more goals (30 to 27), and his save percentage was 7 points lower (68% to 75%). Personally I voted for Ricketts after his performance this season for Portland. Like Besler, Rimando fell victim in my mind to national team call ups. My second nominee was Clint Irwin for Colorado.

All to Play For

I feel sorry for you if today's Sporting KC vs Houston Dynamo game was the first professional soccer or MLS game you've watched. Because it was not a pretty game. It was a not a pretty game at all. In fact it looked a lot like all three of KC's three previous games against the Dynamo this year, where a grand total of three goals were scored. Just one of those three were scored in two games at Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium.

The Dynamo, while tired came out from the start and had the better of play, it was KC that should have taken the lead in the 14th minute. A cross field ball was headed by Chance Myers into the path of Graham Zusi. Zusi collected the ball and then squared a ball to the penalty spot for an unmarked Jacob Peterson. Peterson though didn't get enough on his turning shot and hit it weakly wide of the goal. Kofi Sarkodie thought he'd given the the Dynamo the lead in the 17th minute. After some possession in KC's end of the field, KC couldn't clear their end and Sarkodie played a delayed 1-2 with Omar Cummings. The delay on Cummings return ball is what cost Sarkodie as by the time he received the ball there was a question of whether he was still onside. Replays showed just how close the play was. The Dynamo got a blow in the 26th minute when Ricardo Clark had to sub out with a knee injury. A few minutes earlier him and Benny Feilhaber had collided, Clark tried to continue, but could not as the Dynamo put on Andrew Driver in his place. Houston almost took the lead in the 29th. After a foul by KC about 25 yards out from goal Oscar Boniek Garcia took the shot on goal, but Jimmy Nielsen made a nice save punching the ball away. Both teams had chances in the 39th minute. First off a Matt Besler long through, the ball went ot the back post where Teal Bunbury fired a shot on goal that had beaten Tally Hall, but the Dynamo had put another player on the line and it was knocked away. KC tried to keep the Dynamo pinned in their own end, but the Dynamo broke through Will Bruin. Going alone against a number of KC defenders he fired a shot from 35 yards out that went just over the goal.

The second half started with the Dynamo sitting a little deeper to start to conserve energy, but they quickly came back into the game. In the 53rd off a free kick the ball went to the back post for Bobby Boswell who headed it back into the middle. The ball pinged around the box before KC finally cleared the ball. The Dynamo had another opportunity in the 57th as Mike Chabala crossed to Cam Weaver into the box, but Weaver's header was right at Nielsen. KC's best chance of the second half came in the 64th minute off another Besler long throw. Aurelien Collin got up over the Houston defense, but couldn't head the ball on goal as it went over the bar. The 72nd saw some controversy as a ball towards the end line was collected by Weaver in the corner of the box. Collin ended up stepping on Weaver's foot. The Dynamo forward went down like he'd been shot, but it easily could have been a penalty kick. In the end, neither side could produce the moment needed to get a goal and the two teams will head to KC square. The season will come down to the single game in KC in two weeks.

Wizards Man of the Match - Jimmy Nielsen - Made the big save when called upon against Garcia. He made the saves he needed to to keep the game scoreless and help KC get home with the series level.

Player ratings: Nielsen 6, Sinovic 6, Besler 6, Collin 6, Myers 6, Rosell 6, Nagamura 6, Feilhaber 4, Zusi 4, Bunbury 4, Peterson 3. Subs Sapong 4, Dwyer 4, Opara NR.