With new additions chipping in right out of the gate and returning veterans in strong form, Sporting Kansas City has enjoyed a brilliant start to the 2020 MLS campaign. The club occupies first place in the fledgling Western Conference table and has opened a season with consecutive multi-goal wins for the first time ever, putting Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Houston Dynamo to the sword with ruthless displays of attack-minded soccer.
The Nutmeg Podcast host Josh Klingler caught up with Sporting's three longest-serving players at the club's Media Day last week at Children's Mercy Park, reflecting on the hot start and the positive vibes surrounding the team. As leaders of the locker room, all three players took last year's shortcomings squarely on their shoulders and took every measure during the offseason to see that 2020 would result in a strong bounce back.
So far, so good. Sporting is flying out of the gates, Espinoza scored in a 4-0 home-opening defeat of Houston on Saturday, and Besler and Zusi have led a backline that has conceded once in 180 minutes.
Listen to the full podcast below.
With two impressive victories under their belts, Sporting will now prepare for a mouthwatering showdown Saturday at Eastern Conference powerhouse Atlanta United FC (2-0-0, 6 points). The cross-conference clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is slated for 6 p.m. CT with live coverage on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, ESPN 94.5 FM and La Grande 1340 AM.
Previous episodes of The Nutmeg Podcast
- Episode 101: Defender Seth Sinovic (Aug. 13, 2019)
- Episode 102: Midfielder Gianluca Busio (Aug. 27, 2019)
- Episode 103: Goalkeeper Tim Melia (Sept. 10, 2019)
- Episode 104: "Kitman" Mike Flaherty (Sept. 24, 2019)
- Episode 105: Midfielder Roger Espinoza (Oct. 8, 2019)
- Episode 106: Assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin (Oct. 22, 2019)
- Episode 107: Defender Jaylin Lindsey (Nov. 5, 2019)
- Episode 108: Chief Communications Officer Rob Thomson (Nov. 19, 2019)
- Episode 109: Manager Peter Vermes - Part 1 (Dec. 3, 2019)
- Episode 110: Manager Peter Vermes - Part 2 (Dec. 17, 2019)
- Episode 111: President & CEO Jake Reid (Jan. 3, 2019)
- Episode 201: Defender Graham Zusi (Jan. 14, 2020)
- Episode 202: Goalkeeper Tim Melia and defender Cameron Duke (Jan. 29, 2020)
- Episode 203: Forward Khiry Shelton (Feb. 12, 2020)
- Episode 204: Forward Daniel Salloi (Feb. 25, 2020)
- Episode 204b: Daniel Salloi to headline The Bachelor (March 4, 2020)
