In their search for depth at right back, Sporting Kansas City might not have to look beyond new USL Pro affiliate Orlando City SC.
Lions fullback Mechack Jerome has started both of Sporting's Disney Pro Soccer Classic exhibition matches, earning good marks from manager Peter Vermes. And with regular starter Chance Myers still working his way back from a right quad strain, Jerome could get the nod again on Saturday against the NASL's Tampa Bay Rowdies.
And while Vermes said that no final decision has been made, he said there has been discussion of offering Jerome a contract.
“We've been taking a look at him, and he's done pretty well,” Vermes said during a conference call on Thursday from Orlando, Fla. “We're still continuing to evaluate that situation, and I think we'll make that decision here in the next few days. He's going to stay with us this moment, and we'll continue to play him, So he'll play this weekend for sure – just don't know how much and with which group.”
The 22-year-old Jerome, a teammate of Sporting midfielder Peterson Joseph on Haiti's national squad, has meshed well with Kansas City's starters in his trial matches.
“He's a gamer,” Vermes said. “He is tough in the position. He understands it defensively. He's very controlled with the ball. He gets the game. He really does. He hasn't had a lot of time with us, but he's done well and I like him so far.”
Sporting have been without a proven backup for Myers since Michael Harrington was traded to Portland in the offseason.
Myers has been training and could play against the Rowdies on Saturday, Vermes said.
“I'll probably evaluate that tomorrow a little more, because they're going to do another little test on him,” he said. “There's no sense in risking it at the moment. If he's good to go, then we'll go that way.”
