Jerome Named Second Team All League - Former SKC Wizards Update

This week the USL came out with their end of season awards, including their Best XI. Of the nine former KC players to play permanently in USL this season, only one made it onto either the first or the second team. Haitian defender Mechack Jerome of the Charlotte Independence was named to the second team. Jerome had a solid season for the Independence, playing every minute of all 17 games that he played in this year.

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

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

MLS
Davy Arnaud - DC - Did not dress in DC's 5-0 loss to Columbus.
Teal Bunbury - New England - Started and played 90 minutes in New England's 3-1 win over New York.
Servando Carrasco - Orlando City - Dressed but did not play in Orlando's 1-0 loss to Philadelphia.
Aurelien Collin - Orlando City - Started and played 90 minutes in Orlando's 1-0 loss to Philadelphia.
Daneil Cyrus - Chicago (Loan) - Came off the bench and played 69 minutes in Chicago's 2-1 loss to New York.
Luis Gil - Salt Lake - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Salt Lake's 3-1 loss to Seattle.
Herculez Gomez - Toronto - Came off the bench and played 14 minutes in Toronto's 2-1 loss to Montreal.
Michael Harrington - Colorado - Season over, injury.
Jack Jewsbury - Portland - Came off the benchand played 40 minutes in Portland's 4-1 win over Colorado.
Kei Kamara - Columbus - Did not dress in Columbus' 5-0 win over DC.
Chris Konopka - Toronto - Started and played 90 minutes in Toronto's 2-1 loss to Montreal.
Eric Kronberg - Montreal - Dressed but did not play in Montreal's 2-1 win over Toronto.
CJ Sapong - Philadelphia - Started and played 90 minutes in Philadelphia's 1-0 win over Orlando.
Khari Stephenson - San Jose - Loaned to San Antonio.
Tyson Wahl - Columbus - Dressed but did not play in Columbus' 5-0 win over DC.
Sal Zizzo - New York - Started and played 90 minutes, recording an assist in New York's 2-1 win over Chicago.

NASL
Stefan Antonijevic - Tampa Bay - Started and played 90 minutes in Tampa's 1-0 win over Carolina.
James Marcelin - Fort Lauderdale - Started and played 69 minutes in Fort Lauderdale's 0-0 draw with San Antonio. Started and played 45 minutes in Fort Lauderdale's 2-1 loss to Indy.
Rauwshan McKenzie - Atlanta - Started and played 90 minutes in Atlanta's 1-0 loss to Minnesota.
Michal Mravec - Atlanta - Started and played 71 minutes in Atlanta's 1-0 loss to Minnesota.
Khari Stephenson - San Antonio - Out injured.

US
Christian Duke - Oklahoma City - Season over.
Adnan Gabeljic - Sacramento - Season over.
Cyprian Hedrick - Oklahoma City - Season over.
Mechack Jerome - Charlotte - Season over.
Alex Martinez - Charlotte - Season over.
Victor Munoz - Arizona - Season over.
Tony Rocha - Austin - Season over.
Michael Thomas - Oklahoma City - Season over.
Yomby William - Richmond - Season over.

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

International
Korede Aiyegbusi - AFC United - Sweden - Started and played 90 minutes in AFC's 1-0 win over Angelholm.
Scott Angevine - KPV - Finland - Offseason.
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 3-2 win over Municipal Liberia.
Sunil Chhetri - Mumbai City - India - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring two goals in Mumbai's 2-0 win over Belhi Dynamos. Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Mumbai's 2-0 win over Goa.
Jorge Claros - Qingdao Jonoon - China - Lost 3-1 to BIT.
Eloy Colombano - AD Berazategui - No game this week.
Toni Dovale - CD Leganes - Spain - Started and played 90 minutes in Leganes' 0-0 draw with Elche.
Pablo Escobar - Cúcuta Deportivo - Colombia - No game this week.
Jermaine Hue - Harbour View - Jamaica - Defeated Rivoli United 1-0.
Jeferson - Vasco da Gama - Brazil - Did not dress in Vasco's 0-0 draw with Gremio.
Will John - RoPS - Finland - Started and played 89 minutes in RoPS 4-1 win over Lahti.
Peterson Joseph - Azam FC - Tanzania - Offseason.
Igor Juliao - ABC (Fluminense) - Brazil - Did not dress in ABC's 0-0 draw with Parana.
Igor Kostrov - Dinamo-Auto - Moldova - Started and played 66 minutes in Dinamo's 2-0 loss to Dacia.
Luis Marin - CD Palestino - Chile - Started and played 90 minutes in Palestino's 2-0 loss to Universidad Catolica.
Neven Markovic - KS Lechia Gdansk - Poland - Did not dress in Lechia's 1-0 win over Nieciecza.
Yura Movsisyan - Spartak Moscow - Russia - Did not dress in Spartak's 3-2 win over Dinamo Moscow.
Akeem Priestley - Sheikh Russel KC - Bangladesh - Offseason.
Pablo Punyed - Stjarnan - Iceland - Offseason.
Oriol Rosell - Sporting Club de Portugal - Portugal - Did not dress in either of Sporting's games.
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 4-1 win over TV Kalkum-Wittlaer.
Martin Steuble - Ceres-La Salle - Philippines - Offseason.
Milos Stojcev - Atromitos - Greece - Came off the bench and played 23 minutes, scoring a goal in Atromitos' 2-1 loss to Olympiakos.
Matt Taylor - Saarbrücken - Germany - Started and played 73 minutes in Saarbrucken's 2-2 draw with Bahlinger.

Bliss Named Interim Coach of Chicago - Former SKC Wizards Update

The Chicago Fire fired head coach Frank Yallop this past week after the team had amassed a 7-16-6 record this season. Taking Yallop's place on the bench is former Kansas City defender, assistant coach, and interim head coach, Brian Bliss takes over. This will be Bliss' third stint as the interim boss of a team after having also been interim boss of the Columbus Crew.

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

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

MLS
Davy Arnaud - DC - Did not dress in either of DC's games.
Teal Bunbury - New England - Came off the bench and played 11 minutes in New England's 2-1 win over New York. Started and played 61 minutes in New England's 3-0 loss to Montreal.
Servando Carrasco - Orlando City - Started and played 90 minutes in Orlando's 1-0 win over Chicago.
Aurelien Collin - Orlando City -  Started and played 90 minutes in Orlando's 1-0 win over Chicago.
Daneil Cyrus - Chicago (Loan) - Started and played 90 minutes in Chicago's 1-0 loss to Orlando.
Luis Gil - Salt Lake - Did not dress in RSL's 3-0 win over LA.
Herculez Gomez - Toronto - Came off the bench and played 7 minutes in Toronto's 2-0 loss to NYCFC. Dressed but did not play in TFC's 3-1 win over Colorado.
Michael Harrington - Colorado - Did not dress in Colorado's 3-1 loss to Toronto.
Jack Jewsbury - Portland - Dressed but did not play in Portland's 2-0 loss to New York.
Kei Kamara - Columbus - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Columbus' 2-1 win over DC.
Chris Konopka - Toronto - Started and played 90 minutes in Toronto's 2-0 loss to NYCFC. Started and played 90 minutes in Toronto's 3-1 win over Colorado.
Eric Kronberg - Montreal - Started and played 90 minutes in Montreal's 1-1 draw with San Jose. Dressed but did not play in Montreal's 3-0 win over New England.
CJ Sapong - Philadelphia - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Philadelphia's 2-0 win over Houston.
Khari Stephenson - San Jose - Loaned to San Antonio.
Tyson Wahl - Columbus - Started and played 90 minutes, recording an assist in Columbus' 2-1 win over DC.
Sal Zizzo - New York - Dressed but did not play in New York's 2-1 loss to New England. Started and played 85 minutes, recording an assist in New York's 2-0 win over Portland.

NASL
Stefan Antonijevic - Tampa Bay - Dressed but did not play in Tampa's 2-0 win over San Antonio.
James Marcelin - Fort Lauderdale - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Fort Lauderdale's 2-0 win over Jacksonville. Started and played 90 minutes in Fort Lauderdale's 2-0 loss to Ottawa.
Rauwshan McKenzie - Atlanta - Did not dress in Atlanta's 2-1 win over Carolina.
Michal Mravec - Atlanta - Came off the bench and played 16 minutes in Atlanta's 2-1 win over Carolina.
Khari Stephenson - San Antonio - Did not dress in San Antonio's 2-0 loss to Tampa.

USL
Christian Duke - Oklahoma City - Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 1-0 win over Arizona.
Brian Fekete - Austin - Did not dress in either of Austin's games.
Adnan Gabeljic - Sacramento - Did not play in either of Sacramento's games.
Cyprian Hedrick - Oklahoma City - Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 1-0 win over Arizona.
Mechack Jerome - Charlotte - Started and played 90 minutes in Charlotte's 3-1 loss to Charleston.
Alex Martinez - Charlotte - Did not dress in Charlotte's 3-1 loss to Charleston.
Victor Munoz - Arizona - Did not dress in either of Arizona's games.
Tony Rocha - Austin - Started and played 90 minutes in Austin's 3-2 loss to Seattle. Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Austin's 3-2 win over Vancouver.
Michael Thomas - Oklahoma City - Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 1-0 win over Arizona.
Yomby William - Richmond - Started and played 90 minutes in Richmond's 2-1 win over Toronto.

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 - Started and played 90 minutes in AFC's 1-1 draw wtih Frej.
Scott Angevine - KPV - Finland - Dressed but did not play in KPV's 2-1 loss to OPS.
Vicente Arze - Blooming - Bolivia - Did not dress in Blooming's 3-2 win over Nacional Potosi.
Claudio Bieler - Quilmes - Argentina - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Quilmes' 1-0 win over Colon.
Omar Bravo - Chivas - Mexico - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Chivas' 2-1 win over Queretaro.
Reinaldo Brenes - AD Belen Siglo XXI - Costa Rica - Dressed but did not play in Belen's 2-2 draw with Perez Zeledon.
Sunil Chhetri - Bengaluru - India - Offseason.
Jorge Claros - Qingdao Jonoon - China - Lost 1-0 to Hebei China Fortune.
Eloy Colombano - AD Berazategui - Lost 3-1 to Deportivo Laferrere and drew 1-1 with San Miguel.
Toni Dovale - CD Leganes - Spain - Did not dress in Leganes' 0-0 draw with Lugo.
Pablo Escobar - Cúcuta Deportivo - Colombia - Started and played 90 minutes in Cucuta's 4-0 win over Jaguares de Cordoba.
Jermaine Hue - Harbour View - Jamaica - Drew 1-1 with Reno.
Jeferson - Boavista - Brazil - Offseason.
Will John - RoPS - Finland - Started and played 90 minutes in RoPS 2-0 win over HJK.
Peterson Joseph - Azam FC - Tanzania - Offseason.
Igor Juliao - ABC (Fluminense) - Brazil - Did not dress in ABC's 0-0 draw with Vitoria.
Igor Kostrov - Dinamo-Auto - Moldova - Started and played 67 minutes in Dinamo's 2-1 loss to Milsami.
Luis Marin - CD Palestino - Chile - No game this week.
Neven Markovic - KS Lechia Gdansk - Poland - Started and played 90 minutes in Lechia's 2-1 loss to Piast Gliwice.
Yura Movsisyan - Spartak Moscow - Russia - Did not dress in Spartak's 3-0 loss to Kuban Krasnodar.
Akeem Priestley - Sheikh Russel KC - Bangladesh - Offseason.
Pablo Punyed - Stjarnan - Iceland - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Stjarnan's 3-0 win over KR.
Oriol Rosell - Sporting Club de Portugal - Portugal - Did not dress in either of Sporting's games.
Soony Saad - BCC Tero (loaned from BEC Tero Sasana FC) - Thailand - Offseason.
Peter Schmetz - Wuppertaler SV - Germany - Started and played 33 minutes in Wuppertaler's 3-2 win over Rot-Weiß Oberhausen II.
Martin Steuble - Ceres-La Salle - Philippines - Offseason.
Milos Stojcev - Atromitos - Greece - No game this week.
Matt Taylor - Saarbrücken - Germany - Did not dress in Saarbrucken's 3-1 win over Hoffenheim II.

Preki Off to the EPL? - Former SKC Wizards Update

It was a really weird day in news for former KC players. The news centers around the club's all time leading scorer, and probably the greatest player to play for the club, Preki. First early in the day, bookies in England made Preki the favorite to replace Nigel Pearson as manager at Premier League side, Leicester City at 3/1 odds. Then Preki resigned from his position as coach of USL side, the Sacramento Republic after this weekend's game, where he'd gotten back into coaching after a three year hiatus. It's certainly not official yet, but the news all right back to back would certainly point to it. It's crazy to think that after coaching both Chivas USA and Toronto FC that Preki will now be off to the Premier League.

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

Active without a club or unknown
Scott Angevine
Federico Bessone
Bobby Convey
Will John
Michael Kafari
Neal Kitson
Jonathan Leathers
Carlos Marinelli
Nelson Pizarro
Ivan Trujillo
Konrad Warzycha

MLS
Davy Arnaud - DC - Started and played 90 minutes in DC's 1-0 loss to Seattle.
Teal Bunbury - New England - Started and played 76 minutes in New England's 3-0 loss to Dallas.
Aurelien Collin - Orlando City - Did not dress in Orlando's 1-1 draw with RSL.
Luis Gil - Salt Lake - Started and played 90 minutes in Salt Lake's 2-0 win over Porland. Started and played 90 minutes in RSL's 1-1 draw with Orlando.
Michael Harrington - Colorado - Did not dress in Colorado's 2-1 win over Vancouver.
Jack Jewsbury - Portland - Started and played 90 minutes in Portland's 2-0 loss to Salt Lake. Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Portland's 1-0 win over San Jose.
Kei Kamara - Columbus - Started and played 89 minutes, recording 2 assists in Columbus' 2-1 win over New York.
Chris Konopka - Toronto - Started and played 90 minutes in Toronto's 4-0 loss to LA.
Eric Kronberg - Montreal - Dressed but did not play in Montreal's 2-1 loss to NYC.
CJ Sapong - Philadelphia - No game this week.
Khari Stephenson - San Jose - Started and played 45 minutes in San Jose's 1-0 loss to LA. Dressed but did not play in San Jose's 1-0 loss to Portland.
Tyson Wahl - Columbus - Dressed but did not play in Columbus' 2-1 win over NEw York.
Sal Zizzo - New York - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in New York's 4-1 win over the Cosmos. Came of the bench and played 23 minutes in New York's 2-1 loss to Columbus.

NASL
Stefan Antonijevic - Tampa Bay - Started and played 90 minutes in Tampa's 2-1 win over Atlanta.
James Marcelin - Fort Lauderdale - Started and played 71 minutes in Haiti's 1-1 draw with Panama.
Rauwshan McKenzie - Atlanta - Started and played 90 minutes in Atlanta's 2-1 loss to Tampa.
Kyle Miller - Atlanta - Did not play in Atlanta's 2-1 loss to Tampa.
Michal Mravec - Atlanta - Started and played 90 minutes in Atlanta's 2-1 loss to Tampa.

USL
Christian Duke - Oklahoma City - Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 1-0 loss to Orange County. Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 1-1 draw with LA.
Brian Fekete - Austin - Did not play in Austin's 2-0 loss to Colorado Springs.
Adnan Gabeljic - Sacramento - Dressed but did not play in Sacramento's 1-1 draw with the Real Monarchs.
Cyprian Hedrick - Oklahoma City - Came off the bench and played 30 minutes in OKC's 1-0 loss to Orange County. Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 1-1 draw with LA.
Mechack Jerome - Charlotte - Started and played 90 minutes in Haiti's 1-1 draw with Panama.
Alex Martinez - Charlotte - Started and played 81 minutes, recording an assist in Charlotte's 2-1 loss to St. Louis.
Victor Munoz - Arizona - Did not play in Arizona's 3-1 loss to Portland. Started and played 75 minutes in Arizona's 2-0 win over Orange County.
Tony Rocha - Austin - Started and played 90 minutes in Austin's 2-0 loss to Colorado Springs.
Michael Thomas - Oklahoma City - Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 1-0 loss to Orange County. Started and played 90 minutes in OKC's 1-1 draw with LA.
Yomby William - Richmond - Started and played 90 minutes in Richmond's 3-0 loss to Louisville.

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 - Offseason
Vicente Arze - Blooming - Bolivia - Offseason.
Claudio Bieler - Quilmes - Argentina - No game until 7/12.
Omar Bravo - Chivas - Mexico - Offseason.
Reinaldo Brenes - Saprissa - Costa Rica - Offseason.
Mitchell Cardenas - Atlético Coatzacoalcos - Mexico - Offseason.
Sunil Chhetri - Bengaluru - India - Offseason.
Jorge Claros - Qingdao Jonoon - China - Dressed but did not play in Honduras' 2-1 loss to USA.
Eloy Colombano - AD Berazategui - Defeated Juventud Unida.
Daneil Cyrus - Ha Noi T&T (W Connection) - Vietnam (Trinidad) - With Trinidad national team.
Toni Dovale - CD Lugo - Spain - Offseason.
Pablo Escobar - Cúcuta Deportivo - Colombia - No game until 7/11.
Herculez Gomez - Puebla - Mexico - Offseason.
Jermaine Hue - Harbour View - Jamaica - Offseason.
Jeferson - Boavista - Brazil - Offseason.
Peterson Joseph - Azam FC - Tanzania - Offseason.
Igor Juliao - ABC (Fluminense) - Brazil - Dressed but did not play in either of ABC's games.
Igor Kostrov - FK Kyzyl-Zhar - Kazakhstan - Lost 1-0 to Maqtaaral.
Luis Marin - CD Palestino - Chile - Offsason.
Neven Markovic - Servette FC - Switzerland - Offseason.
Yura Movsisyan - Spartak Moscow - Russia - Offseason.
Lawrence Olum - Kedah FA - Malaysia - Defeated Kuantan FA 3-2. Defeated PBDKT T-Team 2-0.
Akeem Priestley - Sheikh Russel KC - Bangladesh - Offseason.
Pablo Punyed - Stjarnan - Iceland - With the El Salvador national team for the Gold Cup.
Oriol Rosell - Sporting Club de Portugal - Portugal - Offseason.
Soony Saad - BCC Tero (loaned from BEC Tero Sasana FC) - Thailand - Offseason.
Peter Schmetz - Wuppertaler SV - Germany - Offseason.
Yann Songo'o - Blackburn - England - Offseason.
Martin Steuble - Ceres-La Salle - Philippines - Game postponed.
Milos Stojcev - FK Sarajevo - Bosnia - Offseason.
Matt Taylor - Saarbrücken - Germany - Offseason.

Former SKC Players Moving All Around - Former SKC Wizards Update

The list of former players has once again expanded and changed as the MLS season has ended and teams are moving players. Aurelien Collin, CJ Sapong, and Soony Saad all join the list of former players. Meanwhile, others are moving to new clubs, Michael Harrington was traded by Portland to Colorado, while another, Rauwshan McKenzie is looking for a new club. Meanwhile, Sal Zizzo was taken in the expansion draft, but apparently has already been traded by NYCFC to the New York Red Bulls to help NYCFC secure Ryan Meara on loan.

It wasn't just left to MLS though, Jamar Beasley also has a new club, signing with Muskegon Risers. A professional club in Michigan according to their website, although it does not appear that they have a league at this time.

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

Active without a club or unknown
Vicente Arze
Jamar Beasley
Federico Bessone
Jose Burciaga
Bobby Convey
Toni Dovale
Christian Duke
Edson Elcock
Andy Gruenebaum
Mechack Jerome
Peterson Joseph
Michael Kafari
Neal Kitson
Eric Kronberg
Rauwshan McKenzie
Michal Mravec
Victor Munoz
Nelson Pizarro
Akeem Priestly
Scott Sealy
Martin Steuble
Ivan Trujillo
Konrad Warzycha

MLS
Davy Arnaud - DC - Offseason.
Teal Bunbury - New England - Started and played 120 minutes in New England's 2-1 loss to LA.
Aurelien Collin - Orlando City - Offseason.
Luis Gil - Salt Lake - Offseason.
Michael Harrington - Colorado - Offseason.
Jack Jewsbury - Portland - Offseason.
Eddie Johnson - DC - Offseason.
Kei Kamara - Columbus - Offseason.
Chris Konopka - Toronto - Offseason.
CJ Sapong - Philadelphia - Offseason.
Khari Stephenson - San Jose - Offseason.
Tyson Wahl - Columbus - Offseason.
Sal Zizzo - New York - Offseason.

NASL
Stefan Antonijevic - Fort Lauderdale - Offseason.
Alex Martinez - Carolina - Offseason.

USL
Brian Fekete - Pittsburgh - Offseason.
Cyprian Hedrick - Oklahoma City - Offseason.
Jonathan Leathers - Charlotte - Offseason.
Kyle Miller - Oklahoma City - Offseason.
Michael Thomas - Oklahoma City - Offseason.
Yomby William - Richmond - Offseason.
John Wilson - Charleston - Offseason.

Indoor
Adnan Gabeljic - St. Louis - Did not play in St. Louis' 9-3 loss to Milwaukee.
Pat Healey - Baltimore - No game this week.
Boris Pardo - Wichita - Started in Wichita's 8-5 win over Chicago.

International
Korede Aiyegbusi - Auerbach - Germany - Started and played 90 minutes in Auerbach's 2-0 loss to Meuselwitz.
Scott Angevine - Vasa - Finland - Offseason.
Omar Bravo - Chivas - Mexico - No game this week.
Mitchell Cardenas - Atlético Coatzacoalcos - Mexico - No game this week.
Sunil Chhetri - Bengaluru - India - Offseason.
Eloy Colombano - AD Berazategui - Argentina - No game until January 31.
Daneil Cyrus - Ha Noi T&T (W Connection) - Vietnam (Trinidad) - Offseason.
Pablo Escobar - Cúcuta Deportivo - Colombia - Offseason.
Roger Espinoza - Wigan - England - Came off the bench and played 7 minutes in Wigan's 1-0 loss to Norwich.
Herculez Gomez - Tigres - Mexico - Started and played 59 minutes in Tigres' 0-0 draw with Toluca. Came off the bench and played 7 minutes in Tigres' 0-0 draw with Toluca.
Jermaine Hue - Harbour View - Jamaica - Offseason.
Jeferson - América RN - Brazil - No game until January 25th.
Will John - Maghreb Fes - Morocco - Lost -0 to Difaa El Jadida.
Igor Kostrov - Veris - Moldova - Did not play in Veris' 1-0 loss to Sheriff.
Carlos Marinelli - Universidad San Martin - Peru - Offseason.
Neven Markovic - Servette FC - Switzerland - Did not dress in Servette's 3-1 win over Chiasso.
Yura Movsisyan - Spartak Moscow - Russia - Started and played 63 minutes in Spartak's 1-1 draw with Rostov. Started and played 56 minutes in Spartak's 2-0 win over Ural.
Lawrence Olum - Kedah FA - Malaysia - Offseason.
Pablo Punyed - Stjarnan - Iceland - Offseason.
Oriol Rosell - Sporting Club de Portugal - Portugal - Did not dress in Sporting's 3-1 win over Boavista. Dressed but did not play in Sporting's 3-1 loss to Chelsea.
Soony Saad - BEC Tero Sasana FC - Thailand - Offseason.
Yann Songo'o - Blackburn - England - Dressed but did not play in Blackburn's 2-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday.
Milos Stojcev - FK Sarajevo - Bosnia - On break until February.
Matt Taylor - Saarbrücken - Germany - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Saarbrucken's 1-0 win over Astoria Walldorf.

Sporting Lose Zizzo in Expansion Draft, Pick Up Anibaba

The MLS expansion draft is done, and Sporting KC pretty much made it out of the draft unscathed. The only player from Sporting KC that was selected in the draft was winger, Sal Zizzo, who had already had his option declined by the club. New York City FC took Zizzo with their 9th pick of the expansion draft. Zizzo had played 19 league games for KC, 24 in all competitions, and scored one goal for the club. He also added three assists in league play for Kansas City. The loss of Zizzo is felt more off the field because of his role in the Benny Feilhaber Show. With Zizzo off the board, Sporting had pulled back forward, Jacob Peterson. But with just two picks left, no more Sporting players were taken.

On top of Zizzo not being expected back, Sporting also got themselves allocation money for the pick.

The other part of the draft that Sporting fans were keeping an eye on were Orlando's selections. With the future considerations from the Aurelien Collin trade still hanging out there, each pick that Orlando made was met with comments of disappointment or hope that a player would be coming to KC. After Orlando's fourth pick, Pedro Ribeiro, was taken, Sporting's President Tweeted "Nice pick by Orlando..." immediately getting fans to focus on that pick specifically, but the top four in general.

After the draft was over, the future considerations became clear as sources in both Orlando and Kansas City said that it was former Seattle Sounders defender, Jalil Anibaba, taken with Orlando's third pick, that was headed to Kansas City. Anibaba played in 16 games for the Sounders last year, starting 14 of them. That was his first season in Seattle, before that he'd spent four years in Chicago. In 2013 with the Fire, Anibaba played every minute of Chicago's 34 games. Anibaba had been drafted one spot before Sporting KC's former forward, CJ Sapong in the 2011 draft. He'd actually been a player that myself and others thought would be a good fit for Kansas City as Sporting had needed center back depth heading into the 2011 season. Overall, I think getting Anibaba is a good move. He's experienced and gives KC options at both center back and right back. He's also not overly expensive, with a 2014 base salary of just under $120,000. His guaranteed compensation is a little higher, close to $160,000, but still manageable for Kansas City.

Sporting KC a Number of Roster Moves

Sporting Kansas City made their first set of offseason moves today, declining options on six players, announcing four others out of contract, and mutually terminating the contract of Lawrence Olum.

The termination of Olum's contract paves the way for his move to Malaysia that came out yesterday. The move will allow Sporting to retain the Kenyan's MLS rights should he return to MLS.
Of the four players out of contract that Sporting is extending offers to, Aurelien Collin was already known. He's joined by the team's second homegrown player, Kevin Ellis, and forwards Jacob Peterson and Soony Saad. 

Collin's contract discussions have already been well documented. He's looking for a pay increase, and with his center back partner, Matt Besler, signing a Designated Player contract during the season, you can bet that Collin is looking for something similar or at least a max. salary. That's something that I'm not sure that KC is going to give to Collin. Unless the new CBA is going to bump the salary cap a lot, I can't see KC using that much cap on their two starting central defenders.

Kevin Elllis had a break out year for Kansas City. With all the injuries and call ups along the back line, Ellis played all four of the defensive positions along the back line, partnering Matt Besler, Collin, Erik Palmer-Brown, Chance Myers, and probably others I'm forgetting. A bump in salary for him would either see him moved to the senior roster year, or take KC's other HGP slot above the minimum. With his play this year, he deserves the bump.

Jacob Peterson was another player who saw play all over the field for KC this year due to injuries. While Peterson has the work ethic that Peter Vermes loves, he plays a position (wing forward) that KC desperately needs to upgrade this season. Peterson though did prove himself to be capable as a fill in as a wing back for KC. At this point I wonder if that may not be the position he'd fill for KC. He'd still be able to get forward in KC's system, but he'd open up the wing position for a winger who can provide more offensively. If the price is right I'd like to keep him around.

Saad saw a drop in playing time this year for KC, playing over 400 fewer minutes than he did last year. He has plenty of talent, but I don't think he fits that well in Vermes' system. I like him, I think he can be a good forward in this league, but he's struggled out on the wing for KC, and with Dom Dwyer in the middle he's not going to get much time there. Development in his wing play is certainly something that needs to improve, but I'm in no way against keeping Saad around.

All four players have received bona fide offers, so the team will retain their rights, should they make it through the expansion draft without being taken.

For the six players who didn't have their options picked up, most are not surprising at all. Probably the most surprising would be Toni Dovale, who had looked dangerous at times on the wing for KC. But at $180,000 per the players union numbers, he did not produce enough for Vermes to want to keep the Spaniard around.

Sporting will also be in the market for goalkeepers this weekend as both Eric Kronberg and Andy Gruenebaum had their options declined. Kronberg came into the season as the starter, but never really looked comfortable in there. His time was marred by some poor decision making, most famously in the playoff loss to New York when he hesitated coming off his line and Bradley Wright-Phillips scored the winner late. As for Gruenebaum, he did okay for Kansas City when he started in place of Kronberg, but his issue was the fact that he just couldn't stay healthy. Three different times this past season Gruenebaum missed time due to injuries.

Sal Zizzo is probably a more disappointing loss for his work off the field on the Benny Feilhaber Show. Which is probably the reason his option wasn't picked up. Zizzo played in 19 games for KC, and only recorded three assists. None since a 2-2 draw with Toronto in May, although he did have a goal in the CCL late in the season. I had figured with all the defensive injuries that Vermes would try Zizzo in one of the wingback positions, as he'd played there with the Portland Timbers before coming to KC, but he never did.

The last two players are the least surprising of the moves. Victor Munoz and Michael Kafari made a combined one competitive appearance for Kansas City. Munoz started Kansas City's US Open Cup win over Minnesota, but left after about 30 minutes with an injury (and looked incredibly poor up to that point). Both played in the second half of KC's loss to Manchester City in a friendly during the season though.

Kronberg, Gruenebaum, and Zizzo will all go into the re-entry draft in mid-December (1st stage December 12, 2nd stage December 18). Kafari and Munoz will be available in the waiver draft on December 10th. Dovale will apparently not be available in either and has his out-right release.

While those six are gone, and look unlikely to be re-signed, KC did pick up the options of five others, keeping Jon Kempin, CJ Sapong, Ike Opara, Dom Dwyer, and Seth Sinovic with KC, at least into the expansion draft.

With these moves it certainly appears that KC is set for a busy offseason.

What Happened and Where Do We Go From Here - Forwards

Finishing up my review of Sporting KC's season going by position, we've reached the forwards. Compared to the rest of the team, the forwards were healthy and a consistent group all season. A club record for goals that had stood since 1996 finally fell thanks to Dom Dwyer's performance this year. Statistically though outside of Dwyer the forwards didn't really get their job done this year.

For the strikers the season begins and ends with Dwyer. The forward ended up winning the starting center forward spot in Peter Vermes' system late in the 2013 season over Clauido Bieler. While in 2013 he struggled to find the net, Dwyer had no such issues in 2014, finishing with 22 goals in league play and 24 in all competitions topping Preki's records from 1996 in both of those positions. Unfortunately for Sporting the team's second leading scorer in league play, Graham Zusi finished with just five goals, Benny Feilhaber with four, and after that it was Soony Saad with just three. Only two of those three spent the majority of the season.

That was the main issue for KC's forward line this year. Outside Dwyer there was no consistent goal scorer for Kansas City. KC's seven other forwards, Zusi (5), Saad (3), Bieler (2), Jacob Peterson (2), CJ Sapong (2), Toni Dovale (1), and Sal Zizzo (0) still finished with seven fewer goals than Dwyer got himself. To put another way, take away Dwyer's PKs that he scored and he scored as many as the rest of the forwards. In all competitions the group just finished 1 behind Dwyer's 24.

Dwyer's ascension was the downfall for Bieler, KC's lone DP heading into this season. The two had started the season alternating starts with Bieler getting the Champions League while Dwyer got the league games. But then Dwyer really started to find net and over the course of the season, Bieler started just four games for Kansas City in league play and played just 421 minutes in his 13 appearances. While Bieler and the team talk about the Argentine being okay with his role, one can't expect KC to continue to have a DP slot sitting on the bench consistently. I'd thought Bieler's time in KC was done after last season, that didn't happen. Now I'd be even more surprised if Bieler is back in KC next season.

On the wing this year one thing that became apparent for Kansas City and their fans is that the team really did miss Kei Kamara out wide. The mix of speed athleticism and goalscoring ability from the outside was really missed. And while I'm not sure if Kamara and Dwyer would have played as well together with both being "the guy" some sort of player like him would be a boost for the team.

Vermes has been trying to turn Sapong into that new Kamara basically since the 2011 season when Sapong would spend some time out side with Omar Bravo in the middle of the field. Sapong showed some flashes but really has not developed in the path that Kamara did in KC. He doesn't have the speed that Kamara was able to use to exploit his physical advantages against smaller outside backs. Sapong has the physical tools to be a center forward for Kansas City. Unfortunately with the likes of Dwyer in the middle, Sapong is unlikely to get that chance.

KC's most successful wide player this past season was Zusi who along with his five goals adding eight assists in league play to lead the team. Playing a role similar to that with the US national team I really do think that the wide position is his best in KC's system, especially with the likes of Feilhaber in the attacking midfield position running the game from there. Like with his US teammate Matt Besler, Zusi seemed to suffer from fatigue late in the season that hurt his performance down the stretch.

At moments during the season it looked like Saad was really starting to turn a corner and become a consistent starter and contributor on the team. But it seemed like each time he'd take a step forward he'd very shortly after take the step right back. He's probably the best pure striker on the team. His strike against Toronto this year was just another in a string of highlight goals that he's scored from distance. At this point in his career, turning 23 next season, he really needs to start to become more consistent as a starter and finisher.

Like Saad, Dovale showed flashes multiple times throughout the year. He gave Kansas City another threat on set pieces and looked dangerous cutting in from the right to get a shot on his left foot or swinging in a cross from the left side. On the other side of that, he's a very one footed player. He's not as bad as Milos Stojcev was for Kansas City back in 2011, but he is a far cry from the likes of Preki, who used his right to beat you just enough to make defenders think twice and let him cut back to his left.

KC's other two forwards, Peterson and Zizzo are good work horses, the two will go out and do the work that Vermes needs them to do on the wing. Unfortunately the two are not great when it comes to finishing. In almost 200 league appearances, Peterson has scored just 15 league goals for his career. Meanwhile Zizzo has played almost 100 games in all competitions in his MLS career and has scored just three goals. The two have helped KC out this year, but they pretty much fill the same type of role, and I'm not sure that KC's needs both of them.

I think the forwards are an area that KC could and will see a lot of turnover in this coming offseason. The big thing to watch will be any transfer rumors regarding Dwyer and a return to England. Offers came in during the summer and more this winter would not be a surprise. It'll take a very good offer though in my opinion for Kansas City to let Dwyer leave, even if he is entering the last year of his contract.

Elsewhere I think there will be some house cleaning. I think Bieler's time in KC is going to finally come to an end. As I said earlier I don't think KC can really afford to have one of their DP slots consistently sitting on the bench. For Vermes it's now the second DP forward that's found their way onto the bench while here in KC. With his departure though, KC would need to find a striker who can back up Dwyer and possibly take his place after next season if the lure of a return to England is too strong for him to turn down. Whether that comes from one of KC's two first round picks or from somewhere else, it's a priority that KC will need to address.

As for the other forwards, I think Sapong and possibly Saad would do well with a change of scenery away from KC. I think Sapong can be a decent professional if played in the center of the forward line, which would suit his skill set more, get him in a two forward system with another forward and I think he'd be fine. Unfortunately for him I don't see something like that happening here. Similar for Saad who I think really needs to be a consistent starter and I'm not sure he's going to get the opportunity here.

With Peterson and Zizzo, I think one of the two could be let go and it wouldn't be a huge loss. Peterson's versatility on the field would seem to give him the advantage, but on the other hand, Zizzo helps bring us the Benny Feilhaber Show.

Really the biggest of KC's needs up top is to try to bring in a winger with some speed and finishing ability. If Vermes is adamant about trying to convert a forward to the wing position, I'd be tempted to see what Vancouver wants for Darren Mattocks. The forward has been linked with a move away from Vancouver and he has the speed that KC has sorely missed out wide since the transfer of Kamara. If not there, KC really needs to be looking outside of MLS for that sort of player.

Sporting Eliminate Esteli, Move Three Points Clear of Saprissa

Sporting Kansas City moved three points clear of Deportivo Saprissa and eliminated Real Esteli tonight in a 3-0 win at Sporting Park over the visiting Nicaraguan side. Sporting KC had a dominate performance that like Thursday vs Saprissa could have been a lot worse for the visitors with better finishing from Kansas City.

Esteli actually had some early pressure, creating a couple chances, Elvis Pinel forced a save out of the returning Eric Kronberg after turning Igor Juliao and getting free in the box. KC got on the board first in the 13th minute. Seth Sinovic and Benny Feilhaber did well working down KC's left before Sinovic fired a cross into the middle of the box that Claudio Bieler turned home, slotting into the far corner to give KC the 1-0 lead. Like last week against Saprissa, KC continued to pile on pressure looking for a second goal. Bieler had another good opportunity, this time after Graham Zusi got free down the left, but Bieler scuffed the shot after goalkeeper Justo Lorente committed to coming towards Zusi, leaving the goal free. Zusi shortly after had a chance of his own, getting played in behind the Esteli defense, Lorente came off his line, but Zusi beat him to the ball, chipping it over him, but putting it just wide of the near post. As the first half continued, Bieler forced a good save out of Lorente off a free kick that was headed towards the lower corner, but Lorente turned it around the post for a KC corner. Bieler also appeared to have a penalty shout as he appeared to get knocked down in the box, but was waived off by the referee. Esteli had some chances on goal, but the other efforts ended up being right at Kronberg. The big talking point of the half, and the game as a whole was the yellow cards. Six yellows were handed out in the first half, three for each team. Two more were handed out to KC in the second, one of which went to Zusi who will now miss the game in October against Saprissa due to yellow card accumulation.

KC continued their pressure in the second half, looking to add to their lead, but were unable to find the net. Esteli looked dangerous coming the other way, but didn't create much in the way of dangerous scoring chances. Finally in the 69th, KC won a chance to add to their lead. Bieler was brought down in the box again, and this time won the penalty kick. Bieler stepped up himself and buried the PK past Lorente to make it 2-0. KC kept up the pressure and were able to make it 3-0 in the 78th. After winning a corner kick, Toni Dovale played the corner to the near post where Sal Zizzo flicked the ball on with his head over Lorente and into the net to make it 3-0 KC. Even with the three goal lead, KC still didn't sit back as they looked to pad their goal difference in the group. Zizzo just missed playing Paulo Nagamura through for an open chance, and Bieler just missed finishing off his hattrick late on. In the end KC had to settle for a 3-0 win over Esteli.

KC will now head into the final game against Saprissa knowing that a win, draw, or one goal loss will see them through. A two goal loss is where things would get iffy, with a 2-0 loss seeing KC eliminated, a 3-1 loss seeing a drawing of lots. Any other two goal loss would see KC go through on away goals in the head to head match up with Saprissa. Any loss by more than two and KC will be eliminated.

Wizards Man of the Match - Claudio Bieler - Had two goals, could have easily had four. Hopefully this is a step towards Bieler finding some form, which would be good for KC as a chance to spell Dom Dwyer a little bit and in case he hits some poor form or gets hurt.

Player Ratings - Kronberg - 7, Juliao 6, Palmer-Brown 5, Besler 6, Sinovic 7, Olum 6, Nagamura 6, Feilhaber 5, Zusi 6, Bieler 7, Dovale 6. Subs Zizzo 6, Claros 6, Medranda NR.

Sporting Win in Colorado at the Death

After allowing two goals in stoppage time this season, Sporting KC reversed their fortunes on Saturday in Colorado, getting a winner from Dom Dwyer in stoppage time to give KC a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids. The two teams traded blows throughout the second half that saw KC grab the lead before two PKs by the Rapids (their fourth and fifth of the season) put them on top. Only a minute after they went up though KC was level before the Dwyer winner.

The first half of the game though lacked the appeal the second half gave, although there were some opportunities for each team. The first really good look came for KC in the 18th minute as a Matt Besler throw in was met by Ike Opara around the penalty spot, but Opara's header went just wide of the post. The Rapids came back down the field and had their own opportunity as Drew Moor put a free header over the bar to keep it 0-0. Colorado again in the 22nd should have taken the lead as Vicente Sanchez raced down the wing before getting Eric Kronberg to commit and laying a ball into the middle for Nick Labrocca. Labrocca though scuffed his shot and Matt Besler was able to clear it off the line. Colorado got themselves another good opportunity in the 29th after winning a free kick. Kronberg got caught with the ball at his feet as Sanchez came sliding in on the tackle. Sanchez did not get immediately back up and with his legs around Kronberg, KC's goalkeeper couldn't move. In the end the referee called a foul on Kronberg and gave him a yellow, although I'm not sure how dangerous play wasn't called on Sanchez first as he tried to play the ball on the ground. Dillon Powers fired the shot on goal but Kronberg made the save and then covered the rebound. Kronberg again was called upon to make a good save after Edson Buddle raced at the KC defense and fired a shot on goal.

Early in the second half, KC jumped out in front. After winning the ball at midfield, the ball came to Paulo Nagamura who played a great ball down the line to Sal Zizzo. After two Rapids players committed to the ball, Zizzo slid the ball across the face of goal to an unmarked Graham Zusi who tapped the ball home for a 1-0 lead. The Rapids almost equalized immediately as Kronberg was forced to make a save on a header off a free kick. Shortly after though the Rapids won their first penalty kick of the day. Sanchez fired in a shot from outside the box that Kronberg couldn't hold. The ball bounced over to the side of the goal where Jared Watts and Opara were. As Watts and Opara both went for the ball, Opara ended up getting hit in the shin by a cleat. Opara fell to the ground in pain, right on top of the ball and referee Jose Carlos Rivero called Opara for a hand ball. Opara ended up staying down and had to be subbed out. In the meantime, Sanchez stepped up and put the PK to Kronberg's right. The goalkeeper got a piece of it but couldn't keep it out. KC almost grabbed the lead back in the 68th off a Benny Feilhaber free kick, but he curled his effort just wide of the near post. The Rapids picked up the pressure and in the 77th minute won another penalty. Shane O'Neill nutmegged Feilhaber and dribbled into the box where Feilhaber committed a rash challenge and again a PK was awarded. Sanchez again went to Kronberg's right, but the KC goalkeeper had gone the opposite way and the Rapids led 2-1.

The lead lasted less than a minute though as KC quickly struck the other direction. A cross by Zusi was headed back into the middle by Zizzo into the path of Feilhaber. Feilhaber missed on his first attempt but got back on his feet and knocked the ball into hte net to make it 2-2. In the 85th things got worse for the Rapids as Marvell Wynne picked up his second yellow card of the match for a tackle on Zusi which saw him sent off. With the man advantage, KC took control of the game. Dwyer just missed with a turning, curling shot off a throw in from Besler. KC took advantage of the man advantage in the second minute of stoppage time. Receiving the ball near the corner of the box, Dwyer dribbled towards goal on Moor. Getting a bit of space Dwyer let fly with a hard left footed strike that beat John Berner to give KC the lead 3-2 in stoppage time. KC controlled the last few minutes of stoppage time to walk out with all three points.

Wizards Man of the Match - Graham Zusi - Involved in all three of the goals, scoring one and setting up the other two. If Zusi can round into form like Feilhaber has, KC will be very dangerous.

Honorable Mention: Sal Zizzo

Player Ratings: Kronberg 5, Ellis 5, Opara 5, Besler 5, Sinovic 5, Rosell 5, Nagamura 6, Feilhaber 6, Zusi 8, Bieler 4, Zizzo 7. Subs Collin 6, Olum 5, Dwyer 7.

A Look at the Depth Chart - Forwards

Final part of the depth chart for Sporting KC, up top. The three man forward line has been key for Peter Vermes high pressure 4-3-3. He requires a lot of work out of the forwads to be the first line of defense.

Center Forward
1. Claudio Bieler
2. Dom Dwyer
3. CJ Sapong
4. Soony Saad

Bieler has come into the 2014 season with a different level of fitness. He has looked more active and more willing to buy into Vermes' vision for the center forward in the 4-3-3 system. His six assists in preseason are a big example of that. While Dwyer is number 2, he is not far at all behind Bieler. At this point he's right below Bieler and will get plenty of time starting in place of the DP. Behind those two, Sapong can slide into the middle and play that position, as can Saad. Both of those two have converted more into wingers, with playing in the middle being the position they are more comfortable with.

Right Forward
1. Graham Zusi
2. Jacob Peterson
3. Soony Saad
Unsigned factor - Adnan Gabeljic

This is Zusi's primary position in KC's system. He's able to cut inside and work through the middle as well as was seen on KC's second goal against Houston. Behind Zusi is the ever versatile Peterson who plays either of the wing forward positions. Behind them is Saad whose missed quite a bit of preseason with Lebanon but will look to build on a 2013 season that saw him have a bit of a break out season. Then there's Gabeljic, KC's second round pick who hasn't signed with the team yet but has shown some very good speed out wide for KC.

Left Forward
1. Sal Zizzo
2. CJ Sapong
3. Jacob Peterson
4. Soony Saad

With the way preseason has gone I feel that Zizzo has passed up Sapong as the starter out wide on the left hand side. Zizzo's just looked better in preseason and appears set to replace Sapong as the starter on the left. Sapong wasn't helped but the injury he picked up late in preseason. But at this time I think Zizzo and his ability as more of a true winger has him ahead of the former rookie of the year. Then you have Peterson whose work rate continues to see him get minutes. Behind him right now again on this side is Saad again who isn't that far behind Peterson, it's more of a situation thing.

Some questions about the forward depth.

Has Bieler really bought in to Vermes' system?

If he really has and the four goals, six assists performance in preseason is a sign of things to come, KC is going to be extremely dangerous this season. A motivated Bieler that is scoring and setting up his teammates will see him compete for the Golden Boot and also see him as a dark horse candidate for MVP.

Is the right wing Zusi's best position?

This is a question many KC fans have asked. Zusi has spent time both on the wing and in the middle of midfield. He's had performances for each that have seen fans call for him to move to the other. The wing position though has been in spot on the US team and it's a system similar to Vermes' 4-3-3.

Sporting Win Two More Preseason Games - Into Disney Soccer Final

Vince Lombardi said "winning is a habit" and Sporting KC is taking that saying to heart this preseason. KC picked up two more win this preseason to improve their record to 8-0-1 this preseason with wins against Indy Eleven and the Montreal Impact.

In both games Sporting KC was forced to come from behind to win the game. In their first game against the NASL side KC scored the first goal from the penalty spot by Claudio Bieler. Before half time though Indy scored two goals through Pedro Mendes. In the second half KC leveled the game as Bieler got his second off an assist from Adnan Gabeljic. Bieler then finished up his hattrick with another goal from the penalty spot, his fourth goal of the preseason. Bieler then turned provider on the fourth goal, feeding Mikey Lopez who touched the ball past the keeper to score. The assist was Bieler's sixth of the preseason. KC ended up winning 4-2. Here are the highlights.



In the second game, KC twice came from behind to top the Montreal Impact 3-2 and book themselves a spot in the final of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic. KC fell behind in the very first minute of the game as Sanna Nyassi beat Jon Kempin. Only a few minutes later though KC earned a penalty kick. Sal Zizzo crossed the ball into the box for Dom Dwyer. The English forward though ended up getting knocked down in the box and a penalty was called. Dwyer stepped up and buried the PK to level the score at 1-1. Montreal would retake the lead from the penalty spot themselves. After KC failed to clear a corner, the ball was crossed back into the box, over the heads of Aureilen Collin and Matt Besler to Collen Warner. Besler attempted to recover and ended up fouling the Montreal midfielder in the box. Felipe stepped up and buried the PK as Montreal retook the lead.

Up to that point the Impact had been the team that had controlled much of the game keeping KC pinned back in their own end. But before the end of the half KC found themselves level again. Seth Sinovic picked out Graham Zusi running towards the end line. Zusi crossed the ball where Dwyer met it with a great snap header that went into the far corner leveling the game at 2-2.

The second half saw KC come out much better. They pressured the Impact and controlled more of the game. Some good goalkeeping by Evan Bush kept Zusi from getting on the score board after a give and go with Dwyer. The rebound fell to Zizzo but he couldn't get his shot on frame from a tight angle. In the 75th minute though KC took the lead. After some really good ball movement by KC that saw them move the ball from one side of the field to the other, the ball then went back into the middle for Alex Martinez. The draft pick slide a through ball into the box for Sinovic. Sinovic then played the ball across the box to an onrushing Zizzo who fired the ball home to take a 3-2 lead. KC continued to have the better of play for the final 15 minutes, but couldn't add to their lead.

With the win, KC advanced to the championship game of the Pro Soccer Classic on Saturday where they'll face the Columbus Crew.

Sporting Win Final Preseason Game in Tucson, Trim Roster

Sporting Kansas City closed out the first leg of their preseason for the 2014 season with a 3-1 win over NASL side, Indy Eleven. Sporting fell behind after just 20 seconds on a goal by one of Indy's trialists. Sporting struck back quickly with a pair of goals in the ninth and eleventh minutes on goals by Claudio Bieler and CJ Sapong. After a short break at the 45 minute mark Sporting came out and pulled the same trick Indy did, scoring an early goal as Sal Zizzo got his second goal of the preseason to make it 3-1 KC. The match, originally scheduled to play 120 minutes ended up going 105 minutes instead. Sporting will now return to Kansas City for a week before heading to Orlando.

All but two players on Sporting's roster have played in at least one preseason game now. The two that haven't are third string goalkeeper, Jon Kempin, and midfielder Peterson Joseph, who has not played since he collapsed in practice last November. The absence of Mikey Lopez and Ike Opara since the preseason opener is also interesting though.

Sporting Release Five

Before the game today, Sporting announced that they'd trimmed their preseason roster by five and currently sit at 29 players. Of those waived was former Sporting KC Junior goalkeeper, Jacole Turner, a long shot originally to make the roster with three goalkeepers already on the roster. Also waived was fourth round draft pick, Reinaldo Brenes, the Costa Rican forward, former Philadelphia Union defender/forward Don Anding, undrafted midfielder, Dante Marini, and Palbo Punyed, drafted in the 2012 Supplemental draft.

All but Turner had made at least one appearance for Sporting so far this preseason. Punyed and Marini both appeared in KC's first two preseason games. Anding and Brenes both made just a single appearance for Sporting.

Their departure leaves Sporting with four players not under contract in camp, draft picks Adnan Gabeljic, Peter Schmetz, Alex Martinez, and the infamous "Trialist 1" who according to the stream of the Portland game is former Colorado defender, Danny Earls. Peter Vermes has said that they'd be bringing in more players when the team goes to Orlando, but at this time there are just four roster spots to be grabbed at this time.

Sporting Draw, US Win

Sporting Kansas City played their second preseason game of the year tonight in Tucson against the Portland Timbers. Sporting grabbed the lead in the 31st minute as Sal Zizzo flicked a header from a Claudio Bieler free kick into the net to give KC an early lead.

Shortly after Zizzo's goal, Sporting found themselves down a man as Aurelien Collin picked up a second yellow and was dismissed. A bit surprising for a preseason game, Sporting did not (or was not allowed to) replace the Frenchman, and for just under an hour, Sporting KC played a man down to the Timbers. It took until late in the second half before the Timbers were able to find the net though to level the game at 1-1. This is how the game ended. Sporting have one more game in Tucson before returning to KC. Next Friday they will take on NASL side, Indy Eleven.

Earlier in the day, the US national team kicked off the World Cup year with a 2-0 win over fellow World Cup 2014 participant, South Korea 2-0 thanks to a pair of goals by Chris Wondolowski. Sporting KC's Matt Besler and Graham Zusi started the game for the US. Zusi helped set up both goals. On the first goal, Zusi played in a cross that Brad Davis put on goal to force a save. The rebound fell to Wondolowski who put the ball in to make it 1-0 in just the 4th minute.

South Korea had much of the play during the half, but Nick Rimando came up with some good saves and the US back line held firm keeping Korea off the board. At the hour mark, Zusi helped create the second goal. Zusi played a cross into the box that Landon Donovan flicked on to Wondolowski who fired home to make it 2-0. After the goal Besler made way for Clarence Goodson and fellow Sporting KC player, Benny Feilhaber entered for Mix Diskerud. The US held on for their first win of 2014 defeating the Koreans in their first match up since the 2002 World Cup.

Sporting Trade for Zizzo

Sporting made their first offseason acquisition today, after having three players leave earlier this week either by retirement (Jimmy Nielsen) or being waived (Kyle Miller, Brendan Ruiz). Today Sporting made a deal with the Portland Timbers, acquiring midfielder, Sal Zizzo from the Timbers in exchange for allocation money.

The 26 year old Zizzo has spent the last three years with the Portland Timbers, playing in 60 league games, starting 28 of them, scoring two goals. Before that he spent the 2010 season with Chivas USA playing 10 times, starting once, being acquired through a weighted lottery.

Zizzo was one of the bright spots of the 2007 U20 World Cup in Canada for the US. His performance there helped him to get a contract in Germany with Hannover 96. In his four years in Germany though he only made a handful of appearance for the Hannover first team.

He'll help to provide KC with depth on the wing position. It'll be interesting to see what this means for a similar player currently on KC's roster, in Jacob Peterson.

Quick News

Some news from the past few days to touch on.

Sal Zizzo to Chivas USA. KC had the second best chance of landing the former U-20 stand out in today's lottery, but he's headed to the West Coast to play at the Home Depot Center.

Nikos Kounenakis official. Yesterday the team officially announced the signing of Greek defender, Nikos Kounenakis. The team is still waiting on the P1 Visa and ITC, once those are in the Wizards will have to make roster space.

Wizards make $20 tickets available for United game. The Wizards have made more tickets available for Sunday's game against Manchester United at Arrowhead. These tickets are on the second deck, probably in what you'd consider nose bleed seats.

Speaking of the United game, last weekend against Colorado, Robb Heineman said on the broadcast that the Wizards Indian forward, Sunil Chhetri, will get some playing time. That news has been fully confirmed by the team, so our friends in Indian can celebrate that. They can also celebrate because the game will be broadcasted on MUFC Online for a subscription fee.

MLS Signs Sal Zizzo, Weighted Lottery Coming

MLS has signed another US youth international, this time it's Sal Zizzo. Zizzo is a 23 year old midfielder who had signed with Hannover 96 in Germany after a very successful U-20 World Cup in 2007. Zizzo made 8 appearances for Hannover and during his time at the club he was also loaned out to Fortuna Dusseldorf. In October of last year though, Zizzo tore his ACL and missed the entire 2009-2010 season. Zizzo will be allocated to a team via a weighted lottery. While the Wizards have already won a weighted lottery when they won the lottery for Luis Gil, according to Jeff Carlisle says that the Wizards will still be eligible for this lottery because Gil was only going to play in Salt Lake or Seattle. Also according to Carlisle the Wizards and DC United have the best chance to win the lottery for Zizzo's services. While it might be a little hard to see where Zizzo would fit in immediately, I think Zizzo would be a solid addition to the Wizards should they win the lottery.