With stakes raised can Sporting Kansas City deliver in 2017?

After being bounced from the MLS Playoffs Sporting Kansas City has kept busy in the offseason,

When the club looked to strengthen the previous year it did so with a mindset of bringing in experience. As that yielded limited results youth has come in.

Promoted up from the youth ranks comes Tyler Pasher from Swope Park Rangers. At 22 still has lots of upside and made an impression as the USL side made their way to the 2016 final. Expected to provide depth, his versatility is a useful tool that will be seen as the season comes along.

New additions to the squad have been added. A new winger in Gerso Fernandes coming in from Portugal. While on designated player salary is being paid comparatively less than other DPs strewn throughout MLS. The skill is there but it is more a matter of putting it into action that is next.

One winger was not enough as Latif Blessing, a 20 year old from Ghana, was brought in to supplement the attack that was wasteful in the previous campaign. One for the future and there will be plenty of options going forward.

Possibly the biggest signing was Ilie Sanchez from 1860 Munich in Germany. A strong defensive midfielder is worth its weight in gold in MLS. Now there has been a lot of change within the set up for Sporting KC. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Playing in the best second divisions in the world this player is definitely a key contributor for the 2017 season.

Peter Vermes and company have had moments in 2016 and previously where they seemed to have all the answers then suddenly none. In a league like MLS parity is everywhere and there are not the dominant forces of some leagues like Italy. Each team is in transition there is merely just a question of how much.

What to Expect in 2017

Vermes has a lot at stake this season. At some point if things merely stay the same administrative changes will occur.

2016 ended in a whimper in the same manner that 2014 did.

A fast start from the gate is needed. Sure there are some questions when you have an okay 0-0 draw in DC to start the season but the Western Conference is weakening.

Either this squad capitalizes now or doesn’t and more changes happen until mainstream success occurs again.

A top three in conference finish is totally possible and will be the goal. Cup aside the big ticket is the playoffs and a play in loss wont be enough for this season.