As Sporting Kansas City prepares for its 26th season as a charter member of Major League Soccer, SportingKC.com is rolling out a 26-day countdown to the start of the 2021 campaign. A mouthwatering opening weekend of MLS action will see Sporting Kansas City visit the New York Red Bulls at 7 p.m. CT on April 17, giving supporters their first look at Manager Peter Vermes’ side since last December.
The 2021 Preseason Countdown, presented by Children’s Mercy, will serve as the comprehensive, go-to preview of everything that awaits Sporting Kansas City in the weeks and months to come. From key storylines and bold predictions to statistical breakdowns and players to watch, the 2021 Preseason Countdown will highlight the many reasons to be excited for what’s ahead. To visit the series homepage as it expands, visit SportingKC.com/2021countdown.
Earlier this month, SportingKC.com launched the “Sporting Preseason Spotlight” to acquaint—or reacquaint— supporters with the goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards who will help Sporting Kansas City compete for silverware in 2021.
In this edition of our countdown to the new season, we're flipping the script. Who are the best opponents scheduled to visit Children's Mercy Park? It's a laundry list of remarkably players, which comes as no surprise given the fact that Major League Soccer continues to attract more and more world-class talents from across the globe.
Let's jump right into it, starting chronologically at the beginning of the 2021 campaign.
April 23: Nani (Orlando City SC)
The Portuguese World Cup veteran was arguably the best player at the MLS is Back Tournament last summer and boasts undeniable quality on the wing. Orlando has been pegged as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference, thanks in part to Nani's game-changing exploits.
May 9 and July 17: Cecilio Dominguez (Austin FC)
Austin FC are facing an uphill climb, as any expansion side would, but in Cecilio Dominguez they have an elite attacking. The 26-year-old Paraguayan Designated Player has scored over 50 professional goals as a prolific winger, including stops at Club America in LIGA MX and Independiente in Argentina.
May 29 and Oct 3: Darwin Quintero (Houston Dynamo FC)
Quintero is a household name in MLS by now, but it doesn't change the fact that he has the ability to change the complexion of a game at the drop of a hat. The diminutive Colombian has amassed 28 goal and 30 assists over the last three MLS seasons, including a two-goal, two-assist performance in his most recent visit to Children's Mercy Park last August.
June 26: Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi (LAFC)
The most lethal attacking tandem in MLS is back for year No. 4 at LAFC. Vela and Rossi have combined for an astounding 94 goals and 49 assists over the last three seasons. Those numbers are nothing short of ridiculous and paint a clear picture that LAFC wields two of the best attacking players in the league.
Aug. 18: Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers)
By this point, you could make a legitimate argument for Diego Valeri to be included in Major League Soccer's all-time Best XI. The 34-year-old Argentine has aged like a fine wine, scoring and creating goals at a fantastic clip while keeping Portland near the top of the Western Conference. Valeri has 84 goals and 88 assists since joining the Timbers in 2013.
Sept. 11: Robert Beric (Chicago Fire FC)
The 29-year-old Slovenian finished second in MLS with 12 goals last year and was one of the few bright spots for a Chicago side that missed the playoffs for the third straight season. With a stronger supporting cast and a full slate of 34 matches, Beric could well reach the 20-goal threshold.
Sept. 15: Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United FC)
Of all the players who joined MLS last summer, none had a more transformational impact on his club than Reynoso. Without the playmaking Argentine, Minnesota were good, not great. With him, they were exceptional. Reynoso saved his best for the 2020 playoffs, where he had a goal and seven assists in only three games.
Sept. 26: Raul Ruidiaz and Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders FC)
Simply put, Ruidiaz and Lodeiro are two of the best players on one of the best clubs in the league. Lodeiro has won two MLS Cups during his five-year stay in Seattle, racking up 41 goals and 68 assists in MLS play. Ruidiaz is a stone-cold scorer with 42 goals over the last three seasons.
Oct. 27: Javier Hernandez and Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
Like his fellow countryman and Sporting striker Alan Pulido, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez joined MLS in 2020. Unlike Pulido, Hernandez had a dismal debut campaign with only two goals all year. No one is questioning Chicharito's quality, however, and many have pegged him to have a strong bounce-back season under new head coach Greg Vanney. Jonathan dos Santos is another Mexican international at the Galaxy's disposal and brings tremendous pedigree at the midfield position.
