Wednesday was another momentous step in the right direction for Sporting Kansas City and Major League Soccer. The match schedule and broadcast details for the MLS is Back Tournament were unveiled, giving Manager Peter Vermes’ team the opportunity to mark their calendars with three group stage fixtures against Western Conference rivals.
Sporting’s Group D campaign will kick off July 12 against Minnesota United FC, followed by meetings with the Colorado Rapids on July 17 and Real Salt Lake on July 22. All three contests will be shown live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN app.
Interestingly enough, Group D contains all three Western Conference teams that began the 2020 MLS campaign with perfect 2-0-0 records. Sporting sits atop the early Supporters’ Shield standings with six points from two games, while Minnesota and Colorado also won their first two matches.
“I think Minnesota is a very good team in that they have a very good spine,” Vermes said today at Compass Minerals National Performance Center. “It’s really strong and they have a lot of experience there. They’ve added not only experience, but guys that have been in our team quite a long time and have had success at different places. They’re strong in that regard.
“When you look at Colorado, I think (head coach) Robin (Fraser) has made a huge impact there. They’ve had a good, talented roster and he’s given them some really good organization and belief in the way that they’re playing.
“Salt Lake is always a tough team. They still have a strong, experienced team in that regard. They’re also a group that, for me, they always find ways to battle and fight and scrape and get results. That’s always a dangerous team to play against.”
Sporting will travel to Walt Disney World Resort on July 5, seven days before their tournament opener at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The competition will see players face a variety of unique situations—specifically regular COVID-19 testing, strict quarantine protocols at their hotel and playing matches without fans.
Even so, midfielder Ilie Sanchez believes Sporting is up for the challenge, especially given how diligent their preparations have been over the last several weeks.
“Of course, it’s going to be different,” Ilie said. “It’s going to be more difficult, especially not having Kansas City fans supporting our team because we really feel that we play with one more player when they are (in the stands). But again, it’s what the situation looks like and we are trying to practice in that way, so that when we get there, we don’t feel any disadvantage.
“It’s going to be key to be ready from the first moment that we land in Orlando. I think that we’ve been working in this organization very well since day one that we came back to individual trainings. Now we are just on the path to get more rhythm on and off the ball. As soon as we can get there and get used to the weather, the hotel situation and the fields, it will be key for us.”
Vermes confirmed today that no Sporting players and technical staffers have tested positive for COVID-19. He cites health—including the ability to stay injury-free—as the biggest key to success in Florida, also pointing out that everyone on the roster will have a legitimate role to play.
“Health is the first thing that you (need) to have,” Vermes said. “The second is going to be the depth in that all of the players are going to have to be ready, not only because of the number of games, but because of the short period of time you’re going to have them. It’s going to be an important aspect and everyone is going to get their chance.”
As for the intangibles, Sporting forward Khiry Shelton believes the team has only grown closer during the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent movement to eliminate systemic racism in American society.
“If you don’t have team chemistry, your team’s obviously not going to succeed,” Shelton said. “I think that’s one thing this club has been good at—having team chemistry and being together. We’re excited to head down there. We’re building every day and it’s been fun.”
