LISTEN: Peter Vermes talks St. Louis expansion bid, rugged defense on 810 WHB

The bid for MLS expansion to St. Louis has backing from one of Kansas City’s biggest soccer figures.

Four days after the world saw Peter Vermes scare the living daylights out of rookie Colton Storm, the Sporting Kansas City manager joined The Border Patrol with Nate Bukaty and Steven St. John on Sports Radio 810 WHB.

Vermes discussed a variety of topics on Wednesday morning, including St. Louis’s vote against a soccer stadium that significantly hurts the city’s expansion hopes. The head coach was quick to point out, however, that Kansas City experienced a similar setback when the Bannister Mall stadium plan fell through in 2008, well before Children’s Mercy Park received the green light.

“This would have really set (St. Louis) apart in a competitive marketplace where there are a lot of places fighting for position,” Vermes said of the city’s expansion prospects. “I think it would be great for us to have St. Louis in (MLS). I think it would be tremendous for our rivalry and good to have another team in this region. I think we need a few more, just because it’s going to help build out the league nationally…We need to keep building out in the Midwest, and I think St. Louis would be a perfect candidate for that.”

On a related topic, Vermes pointed out that high-dollar investments from MLS owners has put MLS on an accelerated path toward becoming one of the world’s strongest and most financially stable leagues.

The remainder of the segment focuses on Sporting Kansas City’s upcoming home match against the Colorado Rapids, set for 6 p.m. CT Sunday at Children’s Mercy Park. Tickets are available at SeatGeek.com and groups can purchase a limited-time Family 4 Pack for the game, consisting of four tickets, four hot dogs, four Coca-Cola products and four bags of chips for $125.

Listen to Vermes' full interview below.