Where we left off last year
2023 season: 44 points, 8th in the Western Conference
Last year was jam-packed with value for SKC fans, because they were treated to two – that’s right, two! – mini-seasons in one.
The first season was a struggle, complete with a host of injuries and plenty of folks calling for Peter Vermes’ job. In the first 10 games of the year, DP striker Alan Pulido, star winger Johnny Russell, and now-former DP midfielder Gadi Kinda couldn’t all start together due to various injuries. Along with those three, starting goalkeeper Tim Melia and starting No. 6 Nemanja Radoja also missed time.
The second season was much stronger. From May 1 until the end of the regular season, Kansas City collected more points per game than all but four teams in MLS. Despite being the eighth seed in the West come playoff time, SKC swept their way past St. Louis City in the first round before falling to the Houston Dynamo in the conference semis.
It turns out having your best players on the field really matters, huh?
What changed in the offseason
Notable arrivals:
- Memo Rodriguez, CM: Though Rodriguez has spent plenty of time playing as a winger throughout his career, his best role is as a free No. 8. Lucky for him, Vermes has minutes to spare in that spot inside his 4-3-3 shape. The underlying numbers love Rodriguez and the 28-year-old will be a useful piece with starting-upside in Kansas City.
