Following today's announcement that Sporting KC has signed winger Gerso Fernandes as a Designated Player, Manager Peter Vermes spoke with media about a variety of topics. Read the transcript of the conference call below:
On the signing of Gerso Fernandes:
“Kerry (Zavagnin) and our scout in Portugal identified him about a year or two ago. He was on our depth chart for some time and the problem was that at the time there was no way for us to do a deal. The timing became right and we were able to get it done.”
On if the Fernandes signing required a transfer fee:
“That’s part of it, yes. There’s a couple of different things that go with it – transfer fee, yes, as you know, that’s always a difficulty in our league – but more importantly the timing of it for us and our salary cap and everything else, to be able to do this as well and also the price.”
On what Fernandes will add to the team:
“He can play on both the left and right side (as a) winger. He’s a very dynamic player, he’s good one-versus-one, he’s a good server of the ball and creating combination play. Hopefully he can add some more attacking power to our team.”
On where the roster stands at this point:
“We still have a couple other players that we’re working on in different positions on the field. I think we’re getting closer to be honest with you. I would say it’s going better than maybe some other times as we get closer on some other guys, so hopefully we’ll have some announcements in the next couple weeks.”
On Bruce Arena taking charge of the U.S. Men’s National Team:
“It’s well deserved. I think he’s done very well, he’s been very consistent. It’s his team but obviously he’s inviting a lot of guys in and he’s opened himself up to seeing as many guys as he can. I think Benny (Feilhaber) deserves an opportunity to be looked at, so credit to Benny and credit to Bruce for taking a look at him.
On potentially re-signing players that are currently out of contract:
“Anything’s possible.”
On Andrew Dykstra:
“That deal’s close. I think you know that the rule is that after Re-Entry, you have basically have seven days to make a bona fide offer. We’ve done that, we’re working through that so I think we’re getting close.”
On changes needing to be addressed following the 2016 season:
“We’re trying to get better everywhere. We’ve made additions all over the field, which has been pretty good. The only place that we haven’t is central defenders, other than the re-signing of guys that we had because we feel really good in that area of the field.”
On the specific focus on strengthening in wide positions after bringing in Brad Davis and Justin Mapp last season:
“We’ve lost a couple guys in both those guys. We’ve also lost some other guys in the past that have played in that position as well. So that was an area of focus for us, with pacey players we’ve brought in, we’ve brought in some younger talent as well, some guys that have already been in the USL and different places sort of grinding a profession out and we think they have a bigger upside to them and we’re willing to take some time to see if they can reach that potential. It’s an important position within our system and it’s an area of focus for us just because it’s a position of necessity based on again, guys retiring, doing whatever, moving on, so it’s an area of focus for us.
On if he was able to scout Fernandes live or on video:
“We saw him live a couple times, we have a scout that has probably seen him 50 times, so we’ve seen the guy quite often.”
On how far back he started scouting Fernandes:
“I think we already had him on our depth chart probably at the beginning of the ‘15 season.”
On the plan with Erik Palmer-Brown returning from his loan to FC Porto:
“To come with us to preseason and win a spot.”
On if Palmer-Brown will be a different player:
“I think if anything he’s matured as a person for sure, and I think that’s a big piece. I saw quite a few of his games, and I think that he possesses the qualities he had when he was here but I think the environment was good for him being away from Kansas City and home and everything else. I think the rest will speak to see how he comes in to preseason and how that shapes out.”
On Igor Juliao’s role after rejoining the team:
“I like players that can play multiple positions, but his primary role – why we’re bringing him in – is to be an outside back, that doesn’t mean that that can’t change but that’s why we’re bringing him back.”
On if Juliao will compete with Saad Abdul-Salaam for the right back spot:
“He’s competing with anyone who’s going to be in that spot. There’s no spots right now that are won. Everybody has to come in in preseason – it’s a new season, a new year, everybody’s got to come in, work hard and find their way.”
On if another Designated Player had his contract bought down to make way for Fernandes:
“That is what happens. Our DPs are in very good ranges in regards to TAM so we have the ability to do that, so the answer is yes. We haven’t done it yet, we’ll do it as we get closer to the compliance date which is in March, but we have the luxury to do it on multiple guys.”
On the team’s plan in the MLS SuperDraft:
“It’s too early to say what’s going to take place, there’s always a lot of banter and movement in and around the draft. Last year we traded our first pick away, it just depends on what the situations are. We’ll have to make that determination almost on the floor and once we get to the combine and start having some of those discussions with different teams.”
On if Daniel Salloi will be the main forward depth with Diego Rubio injured:
“No, there’s other guys that can play in that position as well. Salloi is a very good left winger, he can also play center forward but he can play left wing. We have a few other guys that can play up there as well that we’ve brought in.”
On Fernandes’ goalscoring record and if he’ll score more in MLS:
“We’ll see. He’s definitely a guy that can be very dangerous in a lot of different ways. His major focus is not scoring goals, a lot of it has been providing service so time will tell, but I like to think that guys on our team will get a lot of chances so that piece is something that will play itself out.”
