SPORTING KANSAS CITY 2025 NUMERICAL ROSTER
1 John Pulskamp GK 6-4 205 04/19/2001 (24) Bakersfield, CA Sporting KC II (USL Championship)
2 Ian James DEF 6-1 190 06/06/2008 (16) St. Paul, MN Sporting KC Academy
3 Andrew Brody DEF 5-10 145 05/03/1995 (29) Orlando, FL Real Salt Lake (MLS)
4 Robert Voloder VOLO-derr DEF 6-0 175 05/09/2001 (23) Frankfurt, Germany NK Maribor (Slovenia)
5 Dany Rosero danny roh-CERO DEF 6-2 205 10/06/1993 (31) Bogota, Colombia Atletico Junior (Colombia)
6 Nemanja Radoja nem-AHN-ya RAHD-oy-ya MID 6-0 175 02/06/1993 (32) Novi Sad, Serbia Levante (Spain)
8 Memo Rodriguez MID 5-8 155 12/27/1995 (29) El Campo, TX Austin FC (MLS)
9 Dejan Joveljic DAY-yahn YO-vel-itch FWD 5-11 165 08/07/1999 (25) Belgrade, Serbia LA Galaxy (MLS)
10 Daniel Salloi shallow-EE FWD 6-1 160 07/19/1996 (28) Budapest, Hungary Sporting KC Academy
11 Khiry Shelton KY-ree DEF 6-3 185 06/26/1993 (31) Austin, TX SC Paderborn 07 (Germany)
12 Jack Kortkamp GK 6-2 190 01/28/1998 (17) Maple Grove, MN Sporting KC Academy
13 Mason Toye toy FWD 6-1 180 10/16/1998 (26) South Orange, NJ Portland Timbers (MLS)
14 Tim Leibold LIE-bold DEF 5-9 165 11/30/1993 (31) Friolzheim, Germany Hamburger SV (Germany)
15 Jansen Miller DEF 6-2 180 02/10/2002 (23) St. Louis, MO
16 Jacob Bartlett MID 6-2 160 10/07/2005 (19) Overland Park, KS Sporting KC Academy
17 Jake Davis MID 5-10 160 01/03/2002 (23) Rochester, MI Sporting KC II (USL Championship)
18 Logan Ndenbe en-DEN-bay DEF 5-8 170 02/09/2000 (25) La Louviere, Belgium EA Guingamp (France)
21 Manu Garcia MAH-noo MID 5-7 150 01/02/1998 (27) Oviedo, Spain Aris Thessaloniki (Greece)
22 Zorhan Bassong ZOR-uhn bah-SONG MID 5-9 175 05/07/1999 (25) Montreal, Canada Farul Constanta (Romania)
23 William Agada ah-GAH-dah FWD 5-9 185 09/17/1999 (25) Bauchi, Nigeria Hapoel Jerusalem (Israel)
24 Joaquin Fernandez wah-KEEN DEF 6-3 170 05/31/1996 (28) Huercal de Almeria, Spain Trabzonspor (Turkey)
26 Erik Thommy tommy MID 5-8 155 08/20/1994 (30) Wettenhausen, Germany VfB Stuttgart (Germany)
30 Stephen Afrifa uh-FREE-fuh FWD 5-10 150 02/19/2001 (24) Toronto, Canada
36 Ryan Schewe SHAY-way GK 6-3 200 03/08/2002 (23) Marietta, GA
93 Shapi Suleymanov SHAH-pea soo-lee-MAH-nov FWD 5-7 155 12/16/1999 (25) Makhachkala, Russia Aris Thessaloniki (Greece)
SPORTING KANSAS CITY 2025 ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
30 Stephen Afrifa uh-FREE-fuh FWD 5-10 150 02/19/2001 (24) Toronto, Canada Florida International University
23 William Agada ah-GAH-dah FWD 5-9 185 09/17/1999 (25) Bauchi, Nigeria
16 Jacob Bartlett MID 6-2 160 10/07/2005 (19) Kansas City, MO University of Notre Dame
22 Zorhan Bassong ZOR-uhn bah-SONG MID 5-9 175 05/07/1999 (25) Toronto, Canada
3 Andrew Brody DEF 5-10 145 05/03/1995 (29) Orlando, FL University of Louisville
17 Jake Davis MID 5-10 160 01/03/2002 (23) Rochester, MI
24 Joaquin Fernandez wah-KEEN DEF 6-3 170 05/31/1996 (28) Huercal de Almeria, Spain
21 Manu Garcia MAH-noo MID 5-7 150 01/02/1998 (27) Oviedo, Spain
2 Ian James DEF 6-1 190 06/06/2008 (16) St. Louis Park, MN
9 Dejan Joveljic DAY-yahn YO-vel-itch FWD 5-11 165 08/07/1999 (25) Bijeljina, Bosnia & Herzegovina
12 Jack Kortkamp GK 6-2 190 01/28/2008 (17) Oakville, Canada
14 Tim Leibold LIE-bold DEF 5-9 165 11/30/1993 (31) Boblingen, Germany
15 Jansen Miller DEF 6-2 180 02/10/2002 (23) St. Louis, MO Indiana University
18 Logan Ndenbe en-DEN-bay DEF 5-8 170 02/09/2000 (25) La Louviere, Belgium
1 John Pulskamp GK 6-4 205 04/19/2001 (24) Bakersfield, CA
6 Nemanja Radoja nem-AHN-ya RAHD-oy-ya MID 6-0 175 02/06/1993 (32) Novi Sad, Serbia
8 Memo Rodriguez MID 5-8 155 12/27/1995 (29) Wharton, TX
5 Dany Rosero danny roh-CERO DEF 6-2 205 10/06/1993 (31) Bogota, Colombia
10 Daniel Salloi shallow-EE FWD 6-1 160 07/19/1996 (28) Siofok, Hungary
36 Ryan Schewe SHAY-way GK 6-3 200 03/08/2002 (23) Marietta, GA Georgetown University
11 Khiry Shelton KY-ree DEF 6-3 185 06/26/1993 (31) Colorado Springs, CO Oregon State University
93 Shapi Suleymanov SHAH-pea soo-lee-MAH-nov FWD 5-7 155 12/16/1999 (25) Makhachkala, Russia
26 Erik Thommy tommy MID 5-8 155 08/20/1994 (30) Ulm, Germany
13 Mason Toye toy FWD 6-1 180 10/16/1998 (26) South Orange, NJ Indiana University
4 Robert Voloder VOLO-derr DEF 6-0 175 05/09/2001 (23) Frankfurt, Germany
SPORTING KANSAS CITY 2025 SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
FEBRUARY 19 INTER MIAMI
February 22 at Austin FC
February 25 at Inter
MARCH 22 LAFC
March 29 at FC Dallas
5
APRIL 13 PORTLAND
April 19 at San Jose Earthquakes
April 26 at FC Cincinnati
MAY 4 LA GALAXY
May 10 at Portland Timbers
May 14 at St. Louis
May 17 at San Diego FC
MAY 24 NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
May 28 at LAFC
May 31 at Houston Dynamo
Pass
Season Pass SATURDAY, JUNE 14 FC DALLAS
JUNE 25 CHARLOTTE FC
JUNE 28 REAL SALT LAKE
July 4 at Colorado
JULY 12
JULY 19 NEW YORK
AUGUST 9
August 16 at
August 24 at
AUGUST 30
SEPTEMBER 7
September 13 at Real
September 27 at
October 4 at Minnesota United
OCTOBER 18
#SJvSKC: HEAD-TO-HEAD
Sporting Kansas City (1-6-1, 4 pts.) heads to the west coast this weekend to take on the San Jose Earthquakes (3-4-1, 10 pts.) at PayPal Park on Saturday night. The match marks interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin’s first road game since taking the helm at the beginning of April.
Since late 2016, Sporting has gone 11-3-3 against San Jose with a 4-2-2 mark at PayPal Park. All-time, Sporting is 32-27-10 against the Earthquakes, including an 8-17-8 mark on the road.
San Jose has already visited Children’s Mercy Park this season, spoiling Sporting’s MLS home opener with a 2-1 victory on March 1, 2025. The visitors raced into a twogoal lead courtesy of Chicho Arango and Josef Martinez before Dejan Joveljic pulled a goal back from the penalty spot. San Jose saw Hernan Lopez sent off early in the second half but Sporting was unable to find an equalizer.
Sporting claimed the double over San Jose in 2024, winning 2-1 home and away. In Sporting’s last visit to PayPal Park on July 13, 2024, Erik Thommy and Alan Pulido both struck early in the second half - off assists from Nemanja Radoja - before a late own goal pulled San Jose within one as Sporting saw out a 2-1 victory.
#SJvSKC: Recent Meetings (SKC leads 32-27-10 in regular season) Date Score Result Details
03/01/2025
07/13/2024
03/16/2024
08/26/2023
04/15/2023
KC 1 vs SJ 2 L Arango and Martinez tally before Joveljic scores first SKC goal
KC 2 at SJ 1 W Thommy and Pulido score after halftime to seal victory
KC 2 vs SJ 1 W Rosero & Pulido tally in comeback victory at home
KC 3 vs SJ 0 W Salloi, Russell & Thommy tally in dominant home win
KC 0 at SJ 3 L Ebobisse (2) and Espinoza tally vs. 10-man Sporting KC
#SJvSKC: PLAYER HISTORY
• Forward Dejan Joveljic has seven goals and two assists against the Earthquakes. He scored his first goal for Sporting in the 2-1 home loss on March 1, 2025 and all other goal contributions came as a member of the LA Galaxy. Joveljic had two goals in a 3-2 home loss on July 13, 2022 before adding the game-winning goal in a 2-1 home win on May 14, 2023. He had another gamewinner in the 3-2 road win on Aug. 30, 2023 before tallying a goal and an assist in a 3-1 road victory on March 2, 2024. He tallied another assist in a 4-3 home win on April 21, 2024 before scoring once again in the annual Stanford matchup - a 3-0 Galaxy victory on June 29, 2024.
• Forward Daniel Salloi has four goals and two assists against the Earthquakes, scoring and setting up the game-winner in the 3-1 road victory on May 22, 2021 before helping set up Felipe Gutierrez’s game-winner in the 3-2 home win on March 17, 2018. He also scored a late equalizer in the 1-1 home draw on July 21, 2021 and game-winners in the 1-0 home win on Aug. 27, 2022 and the 3-0 home win on Aug. 26, 2023.
• Midfielder Erik Thommy has two goals and an assist vs. the ‘Quakes, tallying one of each in the 3-0 home win on Aug. 26, 2023 before scoring the opener in the 2-1 road win on July 13, 2024.
• Midfielder Memo Rodriguez has a goal and two assists vs. the ‘Quakes. He scored his goal as a member of the Houston Dynamo in a 2-1 home win on April 16, 2021 before tallying an assist while with the LA Galaxy in a 2-1 home victory on May 14, 2023 and another assist for Sporting in the 2-1 home win on March 16, 2024.
• Defender Dany Rosero has scored once against San Jose, tallying the equalizer in the 2-1 home win on March 16, 2024.
• Midfielder Nemanja Radoja has four assists against the Earthquakes, tallying two in the 3-0 home win on Aug. 26, 2023 and another two in the 2-1 road win on July 13, 2024.
• Defender Jake Davis has one assist against the ‘Quakes, coming on the gamewinner in the 2-1 home win on March 16, 2024.
• Goalkeeper John Pulskamp is 1-1-0 all-time against San Jose, posting a shutout in the 1-0 home win on Aug. 27, 2022.
• Defender Andrew Brody has one assist against San Jose, coming as a member of Real Salt Lake in a 2-2 road draw on July 30, 2022.
• Midfielder Manu Garcia was teammates with San Jose winger Cristian Espinoza while the pair were on loan at Spanish side Alaves in 2016.
• Defender Andrew Brody played with Earthquakes striker Chicho Arango at Real Salt Lake from 2023-2024.
• Defender Jansen Miller played alongside San Jose defender Daniel Munie at Indiana in 2022. The duo also came up through the Saint Louis FC system and played together at St. Louis Scott Gallagher in USL League Two in 2021.
• Goalkeeper John Pulskamp was in the LA Galaxy Academy while San Jose center back Dave Romney was playing for the club’s first team from 2017-2019.
• Goalkeeper coach Alec Dufty played alongside and was coached by San Jose assistant coach Steve Ralston at former USSF D2 club AC St. Louis in 2010. Dufty was also the goalkeeper coach at Toronto FC II in 2015 while San Jose midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye was playing there.
• San Jose forward Preston Judd initially signed with Sporting KC II out of college before being selected by and signing with the LA Galaxy following the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. While at LA, Judd played with Sporting striker Dejan Joveljic from 2022-2023.
• San Jose assistant coach Dave Sarachan played indoor soccer for the Kansas City Comets in 1982.
#SJvSKC: BY THE NUMBERS
Sporting KC Team Notes
• Sporting generated a season-high 2.8 expected goals in Sunday’s 4-2 home loss to the Portland Timbers.
• Sporting’s 2-0 home win over St. Louis on April 5 snapped a club-record 13-match winless run across all competitions. It was the team’s first win since a 4-1 home victory over the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 18, 2024, and the team’s first shutout since a 3-0 home victory over Orlando City SC on Aug. 24, 2024.
• Sporting fielded an unchanged lineup in Sunday’s match against Portland, deploying the same XI from the team’s win over St. Louis on April 5. Sporting had fielded 43 unique lineups in its previous 43 matches across all competitions dating back to April 2024.
• Sporting leads MLS in progressive passes (408) while ranking second in progressive dribbles (158). Progressive passes and dribbles are passes and dribbles that advance the ball at least 10 yards closer to the opponent’s goal line or into the penalty area.
• Sporting has won three penalty kicks this season, second most in MLS, after winning three penalties during the entire 2024 regular season.
• Sporting ranks fourth in MLS in average possession (55.3%).
• Sporting ranks second in MLS in passes into the attacking third per game (45.0).
• Sporting ranks fourth in MLS in tackles won (94)
• Sporting leads MLS in touches in the attacking third per game (202).
• Sporting ranks fourth in MLS in both dribbles into the attacking third (108) and dribbles into the penalty area (46).
Sporting KC Player Notes
• Forward Dejan Joveljic scored a first-half penalty in Sunday’s loss to Portland and now has a team-high five goals this season, tied for third most in MLS and one behind the Golden Boot lead. Joveljic has become the second player in Sporting history to score five goals across his first five regular season home appearances for the club (Preki in 1996).
• Forward Shapi Suleymanov leads MLS in fouls suffered (24) and progressive passes received (93) while ranking fourth in dribbles into the penalty area (17).
• Midfielder Manu Garcia ranks third in MLS in progressive passes (65), seventh in successful passes into the penalty area (18), eighth in goal-creating actions (five), ninth in successful through balls (four) and ninth in successful passes into the final third (54).
• Defender Logan Ndenbe leads MLS in progressive carrying distance (1,237 yds) while ranking third in progressive carries (36) and 10th in tackles won (14).
San Jose Team Notes
• San Jose leads MLS in set piece goals (six), shots per game (17.4) and shots on target per game (6.6) while ranking second in goals (16), goals per game (2.0) and expected goals per game (2.3).
• San Jose ranks second-to-last in MLS in expected goals conceded per game (2.1) while ranking 28th in shots faced per game (15.6) and last in shots faced on target per game (6.5).
• San Jose leads MLS in home goals scored (12) but has just a 2-2-1 home record at PayPal Park.
• San Jose has scored six goals after the 75th minute this season, two more than any other team.
• San Jose is 3-0-1 when scoring first and 0-4-0 when conceding first this season. Similarly, the Earthquakes are 3-0-1 when leading at halftime and 0-2-0 when trailing at halftime.
San Jose Player Notes
• Winger Cristian Espinoza leads MLS in assists (5), shot involvements (57) and key passes (31) while ranking second in goal involvements (7) and successful balls into the penalty area from open play (10).
• Forward Chicho Arango ranks second in MLS in shots (32) and completed through balls (six). He is tied for the team lead with four goals this season.
• Forward Josef Martinez ranks fourth in MLS in shots on target (12) and eighth in goals per 90 minutes (0.71). He is tied for the team lead with four goals this season.
NOTEWORTHY MILESTONES
• Sporting is two shy of 1,600 goals scored in all competitions.
• Defender Tim Leibold is one shy of his 50th regular season appearance for Sporting.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY NEWS AND NOTES
FIRST ROAD MATCH OF NEW ERA
Sporting Kansas City hits the road for the next two weeks following a disappointing 4-2 defeat against the Portland Timbers at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday afternoon.
Under the leadership of interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin, Sporting has gone 1-1-0 in their first two matches since the departure of longtime Manager Peter Vermes. Sporting will now look to win their first road match since a 2-1 victory at the San Jose Earthquakes on July 13, 2024 when the team returns to PayPal Park in Zavagnin’s first road match this Saturday night.
Sporting’s offense has been much improved in recent weeks, posting two of the club’s three highest expected goals totals of the season - including a season-high 2.8 xG on Sunday against Portland.
Keeping the ball out of the back of the net has been the main issue for Sporting, having conceded 16 goals in eight matches, the second highest total in MLS behind only D.C. United.
Sporting will now have an opportunity to snap the club’s 11-game road winless run in all competitions with matches at San Jose (April 19) and Cincinnati (April 26).
PAYBACK AT PAYPAL
Sporting Kansas City heads to the west coast this weekend to face off against the San Jose Earthquakes looking for some payback at PayPal Park on Saturday night.
Sporting hosted San Jose in the club’s 2025 MLS home opener back on March 1 and fell to a frustrating 2-1 defeat. The visitors raced into a two-goal lead behind goals from star offseason arrivals Chicho Arango and Josef Martinez before Dejan Joveljic converted from the penalty spot for his first goal for Sporting to reduce the deficit heading into halftime. San Jose was reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Hernan Lopez was shown a second yellow card but Sporting were unable to find an equalizer.
Sporting last visited PayPal Park on July 13, 2024 and emerged as 2-1 victors. After a scoreless first half, Sporting struck twice through Erik Thommy and Alan Pulido early in the second stanza to take a commanding lead before a late own goal made for a nervy finale that Sporting saw out to pick up a rare three points on the road.
Sporting leads the all-time regular-season series 32-27-10, including a 8-17-8 mark on the road.
JOVELJIC CONTINUES HOT STREAK
Sporting Kansas City forward Dejan Joveljic continued his hot streak in front of goal this past weekend, scoring from the penalty spot in the club’s 4-2 setback against the Portland Timbers at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday afternoon.
Joveljic converted from the spot for the second time this season with an impudent Panenka in the 33rd minute, taking him to five goals on the season - tied for secondmost in MLS in 2025.
All five of Joveljic’s goals this season have come at Children’s Mercy Park and he now has 12 goals in his last 10 home appearances in MLS play, dating back to the 2024 season with the LA Galaxy.
Joveljic, who is the only player to score at least five goals in each of the last four MLS seasons, had an opportunity to join Tai Baribo and Brian White atop the MLS Golden Boot charts with another penalty deep into second-half stoppage time, but his effort was saved by James Pantemis.
SULEYMANOV OFF THE MARK IN SPORTING BLUE
Sporting Kansas City forward Shapi Suleymanov scored his first goal in Sporting Blue this past weekend, scoring the club’s first goal in the 4-2 defeat to the Portland Timbers at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday afternoon.
Sporting found themselves 1-0 down following an early David Ayala goal, but Suleymanov quickly restored parity in the 16th minute when he lined up a free kick from the right side of the penalty area and curled in a delivery that evaded a slew of bodies in front of goal before nestling into the side-netting.
The goal, which was Suleymanov’s first since Nov. 3, 2024 for former club Aris Thessaloniki in a 3-1 win over Levadiakos in Super League Greece, marked Sporting’s first free kick goal in MLS play since Erik Thommy scored in the 3-2 win over Real Salt Lake on Oct. 7, 2023.
Later in the half with Sporting trailing 2-1, Suleymanov again proved instrumental as he earned a penalty kick that was converted by Dejan Joveljic in the 33rd minute. Suleymanov currently leads MLS with 24 fouls suffered in 2025.
GARCIA’S INFLUENCE GROWS
Despite not getting on the scoresheet this in this past weekend’s 4-2 loss to the Portland Timbers at Children’s Mercy Park, Sporting midfielder Manu Garcia continues to influence matches from all areas of the field.
Garcia’s underlying numbers since arriving in MLS this offseason remain impressive, as the Spaniard ranks third in MLS in progressive passes (65), seventh in successful passes into the penalty area (18), eighth in goal-creating actions (five), ninth in successful through balls (four) and ninth in successful passes into the final third (54).
According to FBref, Garcia ranks in the 94th percentile in shot-creating actions, 93rd percentile in progressive passes and 98th percentile in successful take-ons compared to other midfielders in MLS this season.
ZAVAGNIN AT THE HELM
Kerry Zavagnin was named interim head coach of Sporting Kansas City on March 31, 2025 following the departure of longtime Manager Peter Vermes. Zavagnin currently holds the MLS record as he enters his 26th season with one club as a player or coach.
Zavagnin first joined Kansas City in 2000 as a holding midfielder and was an integral part of the club’s midfield for the next nine seasons, during which time he helped lead the Wizards to MLS Cup (2000) and U.S. Open Cup (2004) Championships. He was named to the MLS All-Star team and the Best XI in 2004.
The Michigan native has won seven major trophies with Kansas City, three as a player (2000 MLS Cup, 2000 Supporters’ Shield and 2004 Open Cup) and four as a coach (2013 MLS Cup and Open Cups in 2012, 2015 and 2017). Zavagnin has played or coached 923 matches with the club in all competitions, including 766 games in the MLS regular season.
Zavagnin has been involved in 84% of the club’s matches all-time as either a player or an assistant coach (925 of 1,101 matches). He started his professional career with the MetroStars, where he played in 39 games over two seasons. After spending one season with the Lehigh Valley Steam (USL-1), Zavagnin arrived in Kansas City in 2000.
He played 237 games and logged 20,516 minutes for the Wizards, setting team records in both categories before being overtaken by Matt Besler early in 2018. He scored eight goals and added 22 assists in his nine seasons in KC. Zavagnin was named Team Defender of the Year in 2001. On top of his club success in Kansas City, Zavagnin also appeared 21 times for the U.S. Men’s National Team. He recorded one assist for the U.S., who went 15-2-4 when Zavagnin featured.
POSTGAME: #SKCvPOR
Interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin
Thoughts on the match…
“We knew that set pieces and transitions in the game were big, especially against Portland. I thought in the first half we created a lot of very good chances. Overall in the course of the game, we had three times we’re 1v1 with the goalkeeper. We have two penalty kicks. We have 2.8 in expected goals. We were in and around the area all day. You gave up four set pieces. You gave up two corner kicks and you gave up two off of throw-ins which I would consider set pieces. When you do that against a team that is more than happy to counter and transition very quickly with the speed and athleticism that they have, you’re left chasing the game. We did a very good job coming back from 1-0 down. We came back again. We came in at halftime and we talked about some of the things that we needed to be better at. And when we started the second half, we were flat. Portland pressed us a little bit higher. They went for it. And sometimes it’s those moments in games -- and they’re not very long, they are three or four minutes -- that can turn the game on its head. And I think that first 5-10 minutes really did us in and made us chase for the remainder of the game.”
On the team’s scoring opportunities…
“You can’t control the outcome of the game. You can control how you prepare. You can have a strategy. You can implement it and you hope that what you’ve trained shows up in the game. For a better part of that first half -- I’d have to throw the second half away because we were chasing and it was wide open – but for a better part of that first half, we were executing. We were opening the game. We had opportunities. We defended in decent ways. I think it’s very encouraging that over the last two games it’s been our highest expected goals of the season and we continue to fire away. We’re not shy about that of trying to attack. We put attackers on at the end to try to go for it. And so from my perspective, I’m happy about that. But I think I said either in the first press conference or the second, defense wins championships. You need to be defensively organized. Through the run of play, (we were) okay. Set pieces? Not okay. And that, at the end of the day, killed us.”
Mercy Park
06/17/2017
0 at SJ 0 T Avaya Stadium 03/17/2018
3 vs SJ 2 W Children’s Mercy Park 09/15/2018
04/20/2019
08/17/2019
5 at SJ 1 W Avaya Stadium
1 at SJ 4 L Avaya Stadium
2 vs SJ 1 W Children’s Mercy Park 05/22/2021
3 at SJ 1 W PayPal Park 07/21/2021
1 vs SJ 1 T Children’s Mercy Park 05/22/2022
08/27/2022
1 at SJ 1 T PayPal Park
1 vs SJ 0 W
Mercy Park 04/15/2023
08/26/2023
03/16/2024
0 at SJ 3 L PayPal Park
3 vs SJ 0 W Children’s Mercy Park
2 vs SJ 1 W
Mercy Park 07/13/2024
Mercy Park
SPORTING KANSAS CITY 2025 TRANSACTION TRACKER
Players In Players Out
DEF - Ian James (Signed as Homegrown Player - Dec. 6, 2024)
GK - Jack Kortkamp (Signed as Homegrown Player - Dec. 6, 2024)
MID - Jacob Bartlett (Signed as Homegrown Player - Jan. 9, 2025)
FWD - Mason Toye (Signed as Free Agent - Jan. 13, 2025)
FWD - Dejan Joveljic (Acquired in Cash Trade from LA Galaxy - Feb. 1, 2025)
MID - Manu Garcia (Acquired in transfer from Aris Thessaloniki - Feb. 3, 2025)
FWD - Shapi Suleymanov (Acquired in transfer from Aris Thessaloniki - Feb. 3, 2025)
DEF - Jansen Miller (MLS SuperDraft Selection #8 - Feb. 13, 2025)
DEF - Andrew Brody (Acquired off Waivers - Feb. 20, 2025)
GK - Tim Melia (Out of Contract - Nov. 14, 2024)
DEF - Robert Castellanos (Option Declined - Nov. 14, 2024)
DEF - Andreu Fontas (Out of Contract - Nov. 14, 2024)
DEF - Chris Rindov (Option Declined - Nov. 14, 2024)
MID - Ozzie Cisneros (Option Declined - Nov. 14, 2024)
MID - Danny Flores (Option Declined - Nov. 14, 2024)
MID - Remi Walter (Out of Contract - Nov. 14, 2024)
FWD - Johnny Russell (Out of Contract - Nov. 14, 2024)
FWD - Alan Pulido (Transfered to Chivas Guadalajara - Jan. 7, 2025)
FWD - Alenis Vargas (Waived - Feb. 21, 2025)
SPORTING KANSAS CITY TRANSACTION TIMELINE
DATE IN/OUT DETAILS
Nov. 14: OUT Sporting KC declines options on defenders Robert Castellanos and Chris Rindov along with midfielders Ozzie Cisneros and Danny Flores. In addition, goalkeeper Tim Melia, defender Andreu Fontas, midfielder Remi Walter and forward Johnny Russell are out of contract.
Dec. 6: IN Sporting KC signs defender Ian James and goalkeeper Jack Kortkamp as Homegrown Players out of the Sporting KC Academy.
Jan. 7: OUT Sporting KC transfers forward Alan Pulido to Chivas Guadalajara (Mexico).
Jan. 9: IN Sporting KC signs midfielder Jacob Bartlett as a Homegrown Player, who had just completed his freshman season at the University of Notre Dame.
Jan. 13: IN Sporting KC signs free agent forward Mason Toye, most recently with the Portland Timbers (MLS).
Feb. 1: IN Sporting KC acquires forward Dejan Joveljic in a $4 million cash-for-player trade with the LA Galaxy (MLS).
Feb. 3: IN Sporting KC acquires midfielder Manu Garcia and forward Shapi Suleymanov in transfer from Aris Thessaloniki (Greece).
Feb. 13: IN Sporting KC signs defender Jansen Miller, the club’s first round pick (8th overall) in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft out of Indiana University.
Feb. 20: IN Sporting KC acquires defender Andrew Brody off waivers from Real Salt Lake (MLS).
Feb. 21: OUT Sporting KC places forward Alenis Vargas on waivers.
CONSTRUCTING SPORTING KANSAS CITY
2020 Khiry Shelton (12/9/19)
Logan Ndenbe (1/14/22)
Robert Voloder (1/19/22)
William Agada (6/23/22)
Erik Thommy (6/23/22)
2023 Stephen Afrifa (1st Round - #8) Nemanja Radoja (10/26/22)
Tim Leibold (1/12/23)
Dany Rosero (3/2/23)
2024 Ryan Schewe (1st Round - #22) Zorhan Bassong (12/12/23)
Joaquin Fernandez (8/13/24)
2025 Jansen Miller (1st Round - #8) Manu Garcia (2/3/25)
Shapi Suleymanov (2/3/25)
Memo Rodriguez (2/1/24)
Mason Toye (1/13/25)
Dejan Joveljic (2/1/25)
Daniel Salloi (1/13/16)
John Pulskamp (2/24/20)
Jake Davis (8/19/21)
Ian James (12/6/24)
Jack Kortkamp (12/6/24)
Jacob Bartlett (1/9/25)
Andrew Brody (2/20/25)
2025 REFEREE LOG (MLS REGULAR SEASON)
2025 VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE LOG (MLS REGULAR SEASON)
March 15 vs. MIN Joe Dickerson
Radford
Joaquin Fernandez is adjudged to have blocked a shot from Jeong Sang-Bin with his hand in the penalty area, and referee Joe Dickerson
After reviewing the play, Dickerson overturns his original decision as Fernandez had blocked the shot with his head.
March 22 vs. LAFC Ismir Pekmic
Terry Jr.
Shapi Suleymanov dribbles into the area and attempts to shoot but is tripped from behind by LAFC’s David Martinez, and referee Ismir Pekmic awards a penalty. After reviewing the play, Pekmic overturns his original decision as Martinez was adjudged to have won the ball.
April 13 vs. POR Pierre-Luc Lauziere Shawn Tehini
Shapi Suleymanov dribbles into the area, passes the ball to Jake Davis and is caught late by Portland’s Antony, but
play, Lauziere overturns his original decision and awards the penalty kick.
Pierre-Luc Lauziere waves
SPORTING KC IN 2025 (MLS REGULAR SEASON)
Game-winning goals against after 75’... Osman Bukari (2/22 at ATX) - 76th minute Game-tying
Kicks... Dejan Joveljic (3/1 vs. SJ) - Scored on Daniel Dejan Joveljic (4/13 vs. POR) - Scored on James Pantemis Dejan Joveljic (4/13 vs. POR) - Saved by James Pantemis
Penalty Kicks Earned... Handball on Ian Harkes (3/1 vs. SJ) - 27th
Penalty Kicks Against... Christian Benteke (3/8 at DC) - Scored on John Pulskamp
Youngest Goalscorer... Shapi Suleymanov (4/13 vs. POR) - 25 years and 118 days
Oldest Goalscorer... Erik Thommy (3/8 at DC) - 30 years and 200 days
Youngest Starter... Jacob Bartlett (2/22 at ATX) - 19 years and 138 days
Youngest to play in a game... Jacob Bartlett (2/22 at ATX) - 19 years and 138 days
Oldest Starter... Nemanja Radoja (3/22 vs. LAFC) - 32 years and 44 days
Oldest to play in a game... Nemanja Radoja (4/5 vs. STL) - 32 years and 58 days
SPORTING KC ALL-TIME WIN/LOSS RECORDS IN COMPETITIVE MATCHES
Feb. 22, 2025: Austin FC 1-0 Sporting KC MLS Game 1 | Q2 Stadium | Austin, TX Attendance: 20,738 Weather: 40 degrees and cloudy
Sporting KC (0-1-0, 0 pts.) 0 0 0
Austin FC (1-0-0, 3 pts.)
Sporting KC Austin FC
GK Pulskamp GK Stuver
D Davis D Desler (Fodrey 90’)
D Fernandez (Rosero 72’) D Cascante
D Voloder D Hines-Ike
D Ndenbe D Biro
M Bartlett (Garcia 46’) M Ilie (C) (Sabovic 78’)
M Radoja M Pereira
M Rodriguez (Bassong 73’) M Wolff (Rubio 78’)
F Salloi F Obrian (Gallagher 72’)
F Agada (Joveljic 46’) F Vazquez
F Thommy (C) (Suleymanov 84’) F Bukari
Subs not used: Subs not used: Schewe (GK) Cleveland (GK)
James Kolmanic
Leibold Svatok
Afrifa Vaisanen Dubersarsky
Scoring Summary:
ATX - Osman Bukari 1 (Owen Wolff 1) 76’
Misconduct Summary:
SKC - Joaquin Fernandez (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 35’
ATX - Mikkel Desler (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 36’
ATX - Ilie Sanchez (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 58’
SKC - Nemanja Radoja (Yellow Card; Delaying a Restart) 60’
ATX - Brandon Vazquez (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 62’
SKC - Dejan Joveljic (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 85’
SKC - Jake Davis (Yellow Card; Dissent) 93+
Stats Summary SKC ATX
Shots (on
March 15, 2025: Sporting KC 3-3 Minnesota United MLS Game 4 | Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, KS
Attendance: 14,867
Weather: 43 degrees and snowy
(0-3-1, 1 pt.)
(2-1-1,
Sporting KC Minnesota United GK Pulskamp GK St. Clair
D Davis (Shelton 88’) D Hlongwane
D Fernandez D Harvey
D Voloder D Boxall (C)
D Ndenbe (Leibold 59’) D Duggan
M Radoja D Markanich
M Bassong (Rodriguez 46’) M Pereyra (Diaz 65’)
M Garcia M Trapp
F Suleymanov M Dotson (Gene 74’)
F Joveljic F Oluwaseyi (Sang-Bin 64’)
F Thommy (C) (Salloi 58’) F Lod (Yeboah 74’)
Subs not used: Subs not used: Schewe (GK) Smir (GK)
Miller Padelford
Afrifa Romero
Agada Jung
Toye Shashua
Scoring Summary:
MIN - Hassani Dotson 1 (Morris Duggan 1) 15’
MIN - Tani Oluwaseyi 1 (Bongokuhle Hlongwane 1) 31’
MIN - Tani Oluwaseyi 2 (Joaquin Pereyra 1, Robin Lod 1) 46’
SKC - Daniel Salloi 1 (Tim Leibold 1) 68’
SKC - Own Goal (Morris Duggan) 72’
SKC - Dejan Joveljic 2 (Manu Garcia 1) 80’
Misconduct Summary:
MIN - Tani Oluwaseyi (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 6’
SKC - Tim Leibold (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 64’
Stats Summary SKC MIN
Shots (on goal) 8 (3) 14 (6)
Saves 3 1
Fouls 10 18
Offside 0 2
Corner Kicks 4 4
March 1, 2025: Sporting KC 1-2 San Jose Earthquakes MLS Game 2 | Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, KS Attendance: 16,277
Weather: 37 degrees and clear
Sporting KC (0-2-0,
Sporting KC San Jose Earthquakes
GK Pulskamp GK Daniel
D Davis (Brody 56’) D Rodrigues
D Fernandez D Wilson
D Voloder D Romney
D Leibold (Ndenbe 56’) M Espinoza (C)
M Bartlett (Radoja 56’) M Leroux (Lima 76’)
M Bassong (Rodriguez 77’) M Harkes
M Garcia M Ricketts
F Suleymanov F Lopez
F Joveljic F Martinez (Kaye 61’)
F Thommy (C) (Salloi 77’) F Arango (Bouda 81’)
Subs not used: Subs not used: Schewe (GK) Edwards Jr. (GK)
James Costa
Rosero Floriani
Agada Munie Tsakiris Pellegrino
Scoring Summary:
SJ - Chicho Arango 1 (Unassisted) 3’
SJ - Josef Martinez 1 (Unassisted) 19’
SKC - Dejan Joveljic 1 (Penalty Kick) 27’
Misconduct Summary:
SKC - Tim Leibold (Yellow Card; Dissent) 5’
SKC - Jacob Bartlett (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 16’
SKC - Jake Davis (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 45’
SJ - Hernan Lopez (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 50+
SJ - Hernan Lopez (Yellow Card/Red Card; Unsporting Behavior) 52’
SKC - Nemanja Radoja (Yellow Card; Dissent) 67’
Stats
March 22, 2025: Sporting KC 0-2 LAFC MLS Game 5 | Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, KS Attendance: 15,263
Weather: 60 degrees and cloudy
Sporting KC (0-4-1, 1 pt.)
LAFC (3-2-0, 9 pts.)
Sporting KC LAFC
GK Pulskamp GK Lloris
D Davis (Shelton 86’) D Palencia
D Miller D Segura
D Voloder D Long (C)
D Ndenbe (Leibold 87’) D Hollingshead (Smoliakov 95+)
M Radoja M Delgado (Tafari 87’)
M Rodriguez M Jesus
M Garcia M Tillman
F Suleymanov (Toye 72’) F Under (Yeboah 75’)
F Joveljic (Agada 66’) F Ordaz (Holm 87’)
F Thommy (C) (Salloi 66’) F Martinez (Wibowo 75’)
Subs not used: Subs not used: Schewe (GK) Hasal (GK)
Bartlett Chanot
Afrifa Saldana Ebobisse
Scoring Summary:
LAFC - David Martinez 2 (Marky Delgado 1) 18’
LAFC - Aaron Long 1 (Unassisted) 54’
Misconduct Summary:
SKC - Logan Ndenbe (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 11’
SKC - Memo Rodriguez (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 24’
LAFC - Sergi Palencia (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 60’
SKC - Nemanja Radoja (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 65’
LAFC - Yaw Yeboah (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 93+ Stats
March 8, 2025: D.C. United 2-1 Sporting KC MLS Game 3 | Audi Field | Washington, DC Attendance: 15,183
Sporting KC D.C. United GK Pulskamp GK Jun-hong
D Davis D Herrera
D Rosero (Miller 46’) D Bartlett
D Fernandez D Rowles
D Ndenbe D Schnegg
M Radoja M Kijima
M Bassong M Enow (Peltola 70’)
M Garcia M Stroud (Murrell 70’)
F Suleymanov (Agada 77’) M Pirani (MacNaughton 81’)
F Joveljic M Peglow (Servania 81’)
F Thommy (C) (Salloi 88’) F Benteke (C) (Badji 81’)
Subs not used: Subs not used:
Schewe (GK) Barraza (GK)
Voloder Dodson
Bartlett Barajas
Rodriguez Zouhir
Toye
Scoring Summary:
SKC - Erik Thommy 1 (Jake Davis 1, Shapi Suleymanov 1) 53’
DC - Christian Benteke 3 (Penalty Kick) 60’
DC - Hosei Kijima 1 (Joao Peglow 1) 68’
Misconduct Summary:
SKC - Dany Rosero (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 21’
DC - Boris Enow (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 31’
DC - Joao Peglow (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 38’
SKC - Joaquin Fernandez (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 40’
SKC - Jansen Miller (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 52’
DC - Christian Benteke (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 76’
SKC - John Pulskamp (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 82’
DC - Kim Jun-hong (Yellow Card; Time Wasting) 90’
DC - Lukas MacNaughton (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 98+
DC - Aaron Herrera (Yellow Card; Dissent) 99+
March 29, 2025: FC Dallas 2-1
Sporting KC
MLS Game 6 | Toyota Stadium | Frisco, TX
Sporting KC FC Dallas
GK Pulskamp GK Paes
D Shelton D Moore
D Miller D Ibeagha
D Rosero D Urhoghide
D Ndenbe D Norris (Farfan 75’)
M Bartlett (Rodriguez 71’) M Ramiro
M Davis (Bassong 91+) M Lletget (Kaick 75’)
M Garcia M Delgado (Ntsabeleng 56’)
F Suleymanov (Thommy 80’) M Acosta (C) (Abubakar 91+)
F Joveljic (Agada 79’) F Chu (Farrington 56’)
F Salloi (C) F Musa
Subs not used: Subs not used:
Schewe (GK) Collodi (GK)
Leibold Kamungo
Voloder Pedrinho
Radoja Show
Afrifa
Scoring Summary:
SKC – Daniel Salloi 2 (Shapi Suleymanov 2) 32’
DAL – Lucho Acosta 3 (Petar Musa 3) 37’
DAL – Leo Chu 1 (Sebastian Lletget 1, Osaze Urhoghide 1) 39’
Misconduct Summary:
DAL – Shaq Moore (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 24’
SKC – Jacob Bartlett (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 25’
DAL – Eric Quill (Yellow Card; Dissent) 47+
DAL – Ramiro (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 69’
Stats Summary SKC DAL
(on goal) 13 (5) 8 (2)
0 4
April 5, 2025: Sporting KC 2-0 St. Louis MLS Game 7 | Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, KS
Attendance: 18,116 Weather: 45 degrees and cloudy
Sporting KC (1-5-1, 4 pts.)
St. Louis (2-3-2, 8 pts.)
Sporting KC St. Louis
GK Pulskamp GK Lundt
D Shelton (Radoja 59’) D Watts
D Miller D Yaro
D Fernandez (Rosero 82’) D Kessler
D Ndenbe D Nilsson (Ostrak 26’)
M Bartlett D Hiebert
M Davis M Morales (Teuchert 80’)
M Garcia M Hartel (C)
F Suleymanov (Thommy 79’) F Wallem
F Joveljic (Toye 94+) F Klauss
F Salloi (C) F Pompeu (Becher 65’)
Subs not used: Subs not used: Schewe (GK) Olivares (GK)
Leibold Baumgartl
Rodriguez Wentzel
Afrifa Zelinsky
Agada Girdwood-Reich Jaaskelainen
Scoring Summary:
SKC - Dejan Joveljic 3 (Manu Garcia 2, Nemanja Radoja 1) 71’
SKC - Dejan Joveljic 4 (unassisted) 88’
Misconduct Summary:
STL - Conrad Wallem (Yellow Card; Delaying a Restart) 28’
SKC - Jacob Bartlett (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 39’
STL - Tomas Ostrak (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 78’
STL - Cedric Teuchert (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) Postgame
Stats Summary SKC STL
11 (5) 11 (4)
April 13, 2025: Sporting KC 2-4 Portland Timbers MLS Game 8 | Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, KS Attendance: 17,898
Weather: 82 degrees and mostly sunny
(1-6-1,
Sporting KC Portland Timbers
GK Pulskamp GK Pantemis
D Shelton (Rodriguez 69’) D Mosquera
D Miller D Surman
D Fernandez D K. Miller
D Ndenbe (Leibold 69’) D Smith (Bravo 46’)
M Bartlett (Afrifa 88’) M Chara (C) (Paredes 69’)
M Davis M Ayala
M Garcia (Agada 88’) M Moreno (Rodriguez 69’)
F Suleymanov (Thommy 55’) M Da Costa
F Joveljic M Antony (Lassiter 76’)
F Salloi (C) F Kelsy (Mora 76’)
Subs not used: Subs not used: Schewe (GK) Crepeau (GK)
Rosero E. Miller
Bassong Zuparic
Toye Ortiz
Scoring Summary:
POR - David Ayala 1 (David Da Costa 3) 10’
SKC - Shapi Suleymanov 1 (Unassisted) 16’
POR - Kevin Kelsy 2 (David Ayala 1) 26’
SKC - Dejan Joveljic 5 (Penalty Kick) 33’
POR - Kevin Kelsy 3 (Antony 1) 49’
POR - Own Goal (Jansen Miller) 54’
Misconduct Summary:
POR - Ian Smith (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 22’
POR - Antony (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 28’
SKC - Joaquin Fernandez (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 51+
POR - Diego Chara (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 58’
POR - Ariel Lassiter (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 78’
Stats Summary SKC POR
(on goal) 9 (6) 14 (8)
SPORTING KC 2025 CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP BOX SCORES
Feb. 19, 2025: Sporting KC 0-1 Inter Miami CF Round One Leg 1 | Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, KS Attendance: 15,178 Weather: 5 degrees and
Sporting KC
Sporting KC Inter Miami CF GK Pulskamp GK Ustari
D Davis D Weigandt
D Rosero (Fernandez 46’) D Lujan
D Voloder D Aviles
D Leibold (Ndenbe 62’) D Allen
M Bartlett M Allende (Picault 73’)
M Radoja M Redondo
M Rodriguez (Garcia 62’) M Busquets
F Salloi (Afrifa 83’) M Segovia (Cremaschi 79’)
F Joveljic (Agada 62’) F Messi (C)
F Thommy (C) F Suarez (Taylor 89’)
Subs not used: Subs not used: Schewe (GK) Rios Novo (GK)
James Falcon Miller Sailor Bassong Fray
Suleymanov Gressel
Toye Morales Vargas Ruiz Afonso
Scoring Summary:
MIA - Lionel Messi 1 (Sergio Busquets 1, Noah Allen 1) 56’
Misconduct Summary:
SKC - Manu Garcia (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 74’
MIA - Federico Redondo (Yellow Card; Unsporting Behavior) 80’
Stats Summary SKC MIA
7 (3) 9 (1)
Feb. 25, 2025: Inter Miami CF 3 (4) - Sporting KC 1 (1) Round One Leg 2 | Chase Stadium | Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Attendance: 18,280
Weather: 68 degrees and clear
Sporting KC
Sporting KC Inter Miami CF GK Pulskamp GK Ustari
D Davis (Brody 74’) D Fray
D Rosero (James 84’) D Falcon (Lujan 80’)
D Voloder D Aviles (Allen 57’)
D Leibold D Alba
M Bartlett M Redondo
M Bassong M Busquets (Ruiz 81’)
M Garcia (Rodriguez 58’) M Segovia
F Suleymanov (Salloi 58’) F Messi (C) (Cremaschi 68’)
F Joveljic (Agada 58’) F Suarez (Taylor 81’)
F Thommy (C) F Allende
Subs not used: Subs not used: Schewe (GK) Rios Novo (GK)
Ndenbe Hall
Radoja Martinez Afrifa
Sailor
Toye Gressel
Morales Afonso
Scoring Summary:
MIA - Lionel Messi 2 (Luis Suarez 1) 19’
MIA - Tadeo Allende 1 (Jordi Alba 1) 46+
MIA - Luis Suarez 1 (unassisted) 48+
SKC - Memo Rodriguez 1 (Jacob Bartlett 1) 63’
Misconduct Summary: None
SPORTING KC STARTERS BY POSITION (2025 REGULAR SEASON)
Formation: 4-3-3 (8 games)
Left forward
Erik Thommy 5
Daniel Salloi 3
Left-center midfielder
Manu Garcia 7
Memo Rodriguez 1
Center forward
Dejan Joveljic 7
William Agada 1
Left back
Logan Ndenbe 7
Tim Leibold 1
Defensive midfielder
Jacob Bartlett 5
Nemanja Radoja 3
Left center back
Robert Voloder 4
Joaquin Fernandez 3
Dany Rosero 1
Right forward
Shapi Suleymanov 7
Daniel Salloi 1
Right-center midfielder
Zorhan Bassong 3
Jake Davis 3
Nemanja Radoja 1
Memo Rodriguez 1
Right center back
Jansen Miller 4
Joaquin Fernandez 3
Dany Rosero 1
Goalkeeper
John Pulskamp 8
Right back
Jake Davis 5
Khiry Shelton 3
NOTE: Charts do not account for players interchanging and/ or switching positions over the course of a match. Substitute players are not listed.
A leading independent children’s health organization dedicated to holistic care, translational research, educating caregivers and breakthrough innovation to create a world of well-being for all children, Children’s Mercy Kansas City began a 10-year partnership with Sporting KC in 2016. Children’s Mercy provides the highest level of care for children from birth through the age of 21. U.S. News & World Report has repeatedly ranked Children’s Mercy as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.”
The comprehensive partnership between Sporting KC and Children’s Mercy Kansas City – which includes naming rights to Sporting KC’s world-class stadium, Children’s Mercy Park, as well as the Sporting KC II and Sporting KC Academy complex at Swope Soccer Village – is also at the forefront of Sporting’s state-of-the-art training ground at Compass Minerals National Performance Center. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration between a professional sports team, a national sports federation and a sports medicine provider, the facility opened in 2018 and features the Children’s Mercy Sports Medicine Center alongside Sporting Kansas City and U.S. Soccer.
Children’s Mercy Kansas City is also the official health care and sports medicine provider for the Sporting Kansas City Academy and Compass Minerals National Performance Center as part of a multi-faceted partnership that focuses on the following three components to impact the local community:
1. Strengthening community
• The partnership directly supports The Victory Project, Sporting’s foundation to help children - including those with cancer and disabilities – through all of life’s challenges.
• Sporting KC players and staff engage with, encourage and inspire Children’s Mercy patients throughout the year during hospital visits and special events.
• FLEET, an innovative team of remote experience robots operated via an iPad, regularly attends Sporting KC home matches to provide an all-access interactive experience for patients at Children’s Mercy. Manufactured by Double Robotics, the robot allows users to enjoy two-way live audio and video captured from a 150-degree wide-angle lens while navigating to control their own VIP behind-the-scenes journey.
• Launched in 2018, the RED CARD campaign addresses one of the most significant social issues impacting children nationwide by empowering youth and adults to prevent and intervene in bullying. Through school assemblies and community-wide messaging, the RED CARD initiative aims to reach children, parents, teachers and coaches who have daily opportunities to create supportive environments and stop bullying in its tracks. In 2023 and 2024, Sporting and Children’s Mercy teamed up to provide 90 students at 30 local elementary and middle schools with SKC jerseys on National Random Acts of Kindness Day as part of a Kindness In The Schools (K.I.T.S.) initiative.
2. Improving access to pediatric-trained sports medicine
• The Children’s Mercy Sports Medicine Center at Village West is located inside Compass Minerals National Performance Center and offers a full range of sports medicine services, resources and programming for youth athletes. More than two million high-school athletes and 3.5 million children under age 14 are injured each year in the U.S. playing sports. Only a small percentage are treated by pediatric-trained sports medicine specialists who truly understand the youth’s growing body, developing brain and unique psychosocial stressors.
3. Protecting youth athletes and educating parents and coaches
• The partnership provides athletic training, rehabilitation and conditioning programs for the Sporting KC Academy’s six teams at Swope Soccer Village, which hosts Sporting KC II home matches as well as year-round athletic leagues, tournaments and other marquee events.
SPORTING KC AND CHILDREN’S MERCY KANSAS CITY CONTINUE TO IMPACT LOCAL COMMUNITY
March 22
April 13
April 19 at San Jose Earthquakes
April 26 at FC Cincinnati
May 4 vs. LA Galaxy
May 10 at Portland Timbers
May 14 at St. Louis
May 17 at San Diego FC
May 24 vs. New England Revolution
May 28 at LAFC
May 31 at Houston Dynamo
June 14 vs. FC Dallas
June 25 vs. Charlotte FC
June 28 vs. Real Salt Lake
July 4 at Colorado Rapids
July 12 vs. Seattle Sounders
July 19 vs. New York City FC
July 26 at Vancouver Whitecaps
August 9 vs. San Diego FC
August 16 at Orlando City
August 24 at Seattle Sounders
August 30 vs. Colorado Rapids
September 7 vs. Austin FC
September 13 at Real Salt Lake
September 20 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
September 27 at LA Galaxy
October 4 at Minnesota United
October 18 vs. Houston Dynamo
GAME-WINNING GOALS: Dejan Joveljic 1 GAME-WINNING ASSISTS: Manu Garcia 1, Nemanja Radoja 1 PENALTY KICK GOALS/ATTEMPTS: Dejan Joveljic 2-3
SPORTING KC 2025 PARTICIPATION CHART (MLS REGULAR SEASON)
PLAYER @ATX SJ @DC MIN LAFC @DAL STL POR @SJ @CIN LA @POR @STL
AFRIFA DNP UNAV SKCII DNP DNP DNP DNP SUB-2
AGADA CF-45 DNP SUB-13 DNP SUB-24 SUB-11 DNP SUB-2
BARTLETT DM-45 DM-56 DNP SKCII DNP DM-71 DM-90 DM-88
BASSONG SUB-17 CM-77 CM-90 CM-45 INTL SUB-1 UNAV DNP
BRODY UNAV SUB-34 INJ INJ INJ INJ INJ INJ
DAVIS RB-90 RB-56 RB-90 RB-88 RB-86 CM-89 CM-90 CM-90
FERNANDEZ CB-72 CB-90 CB-90 CB-90 INJ INJ CB-82 CB-90
GARCIA SUB-45 CM-90 CM-90 CM-90 CM-90 CM-90 CM-90 CM-88
JAMES DNP DNP SKCII SKCII INTL SKCII UNAV ACD
JOVELJIC SUB-45 CF-90 CF-90 CF-90 CF-66 CF-79 CF-89 CF-90
KORTKAMP UNAV SKCII SKCII SKCII SKCII SKCII UNAV ACD
LEIBOLD DNP LB-56 INJ SUB-31 SUB-3 DNP DNP SUB-21
MILLER INJ INJ SUB-45 DNP CB-90 CB-90 CB-90 CB-90
NDENBE LB-90 SUB-34 LB-90 LB-59 LB-87 LB-90 LB-90 LB-69
PULSKAMP GK-90 GK-90 GK-90 GK-90 GK-90 GK-90 GK-90 GK-90
RADOJA CM-90 SUB-34 DM-90 DM-90 DM-90 DNP SUB-31 INJ
RODRIGUEZ CM-73 SUB-13 DNP SUB-45 CM-90 SUB-19 DNP SUB-21
ROSERO SUB-18 DNP CB-45 INJ INJ CB-90 SUB-8 DNP
SALLOI RW-90 SUB-13 SUB-2 SUB-32 SUB-24 LW-90 LW-90 LW-90
SCHEWE DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
SHELTON INJ INJ INJ SUB-2 SUB-4 RB-90 RB-59 RB-69
SULEYMANOV SUB-6 RW-90 RW-77 RW-90 RW-72 RW-80 RW-79 RW-55
TOYE UNAV UNAV DNP DNP SUB-18 UNAV SUB-1 DNP
THOMMY LW-84 LW-77 LW-88 LW-58 LW-66 SUB-10 SUB-11 SUB-35
VOLODER CB-90 CB-90 DNP CB-90 CB-90 DNP UNAV UNAV
6/14 6/25 6/28 7/4 7/12 7/19 7/26 8/9 8/16 8/24 8/30 9/7 9/13 9/20 9/27 10/4 10/18
PLAYER DAL CLT RSL @COL SEA NYC @VAN SD @ORL @SEA COL ATX @RSL VAN @LA @MIN HOU
AFRIFA
AGADA
BARTLETT
BASSONG
BRODY
DAVIS
FERNANDEZ
GARCIA
JAMES
JOVELJIC
KORTKAMP
LEIBOLD
MILLER
NDENBE PULSKAMP
RADOJA
RODRIGUEZ
ROSERO
SALLOI
SCHEWE
SHELTON
SULEYMANOV
TOYE
THOMMY
VOLODER
KEY
Position-Minutes - Starting Position-Minutes Played DNP - Unused Substitute INJ - Injured SKCII - Sporting Kansas City II
SUB-Minutes - Substitute-Minutes played UNAV - Unavailable For Selection SUS - Suspended INTL - International Duty LOAN - Out on Loan ACD - Sporting KC Academy
INTERIM HEAD COACH | KERRY ZAVAGNIN
Kerry Zavagnin was named interim head coach of Sporting Kansas City on March 31, 2025 following the departure of longtime Manager Peter Vermes. Zavagnin currently holds the MLS record as he enters his 26th season with one club as a player or coach.
Zavagnin took charge of his first match as interim head coach on April 5, 2025, leading the team to a 2-0 victory over archrivals St. Louis at Children’s Mercy Park.
Zavagnin first joined Kansas City in 2000 as a holding midfielder and was an integral part of the club’s midfield for the next nine seasons, during which time he helped lead the Wizards to MLS Cup (2000) and U.S. Open Cup (2004) Championships. He was named to the MLS All-Star team and the Best XI in 2004.
Zavagnin has won seven major trophies with Kansas City, three as a player (2000 MLS Cup, 2000 Supporters’ Shield and 2004 Open Cup) and four as a coach (2013 MLS Cup and Open Cups in 2012, 2015 and 2017). Zavagnin has played or coached 923 matches with the club in all competitions, including 766 games in the MLS regular season.
Zavagnin has been involved in 84% of the club’s matches all-time as either a player or an assistant coach (925 of 1,101 matches).
Zavagnin started his professional career with the MetroStars, where he played in 39 games over two seasons. After spending one season with the Lehigh Valley Steam (USL-1), Zavagnin arrived in Kansas City in 2000.
He played 237 games and logged 20,516 minutes for the Wizards, setting team records in both categories before being overtaken by Matt Besler early in 2018. He scored eight goals and added 22 assists in his nine seasons in KC. Zavagnin was named Team Defender of the Year in 2001.
On top of his club success in Kansas City, Zavagnin also appeared 21 times for the U.S. Men’s National Team. He recorded one assist for the U.S., who went 15-2-4 when Zavagnin featured.
KERRY ZAVAGNIN HEAD COACHING RECORD AT SPORTING KC
Year MLS Playoffs Open Cup Intl. Total 2025 1-1-0 0-0-0 1-1-0 TOTAL 1-1-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 1-1-0
SPORTING DIRECTOR | MIKE BURNS
Mike Burns joined Sporting KC as Sporting Director in June 2024. Burns oversees the team’s player recruitment and roster building strategy and the continued development of the club’s professional player pathway, including MLS NEXT Pro team Sporting Kansas City II and the SKC Academy.
Burns spent 15 seasons on the New England Revolution’s technical staff from 2005-2019, during which time the club won four Eastern Conference championships and one U.S. Open Cup. The former MLS player and USMNT veteran - who notably played for the Kansas City Wizards from 2001-2002 - joined the Revolution front office as Director of Soccer in 2005 before earning promotions to Vice President of Player Personnel in 2008 and to General Manager in 2011.
Under Burns, New England reached three consecutive MLS Cups in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and returned to the championship match in 2014.
From 2022-2023, Burns served as a consultant for Major League Soccer by supporting the league office in its continued growth of MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT.
A native of Marlborough, Massachusetts, Burns played college soccer at Hartwick College in New York before embarking on a decorated playing career highlighted by seven seasons in MLS and 75 caps with the USMNT.
ASSISTANT COACH | ASH WALLACE
Ash Wallace has served on Sporting Kansas City’s technical staff since 2012, aiding the first team coaching staff in a variety of roles. Wallace, originally from England, assists in planning and executing training sessions and provides valuable analysis for coaches and players regarding strategy while helping scout and develop game plans for upcoming opponents. Wallace holds a U.S. Soccer A License. Wallace’s first involvement with the club came in August 2012 when he was contracted to produce a detailed scouting report on Seattle Sounders ahead of the U.S. Open Cup Final, helping Sporting claim their first of four major titles during a trophy-laden decade. Prior to joining Sporting KC, Wallace was a member of the Preston North End coaching staff and also served as an opposition scout for Fleetwood Town in his native England. Earlier in his career, he worked with Preston North End’s women’s academy teams and Penwortham Boys academy teams while earning a Degree in Sports Coaching from the University of Central Lancashire.
ASSISTANT COACH | ROGER ESPINOZA
Roger Espinoza joined the Sporting KC’s technical staff as a Professional Development Coach and first team assistant coach ahead of the 2025 season. In his role, Espinoza serves as an assistant coach for Sporting KC while also working with players on all three levels of the club’s professional player pathway – the first team, Sporting KC II and the Sporting KC Academy. Espinoza plays a leading role in the development of young players at the MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and Academy levels through individual training programs and ongoing mentorship off the field. Espinoza stepped into professional coaching after retiring as a player in the summer of 2024. He enjoyed a 16-year playing career highlighted by 14 seasons in Kansas City from 2008-2012 and 2015-2023. He helped Sporting to three U.S. Open Cup titles as one of the most accomplished players in club history and one of the longest-serving midfielders in MLS. From 2013-2014, Espinoza had a two-year stint at English side Wigan Athletic, scoring three goals in 57 appearances while gaining experience in the English Premier League and UEFA Europa League. On the international stage, Espinoza played 52 times for Honduras from 2009-2017, representing Honduras at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Espinoza also starred at the 2012 Summer Olympics in England – leading Honduras to the quarterfinals of the competition and scoring against Brazil at Wembley Stadium.
GOALKEEPER COACH | ALEC DUFTY
Alec Dufty is in his 10th season with Sporting Kansas City having been introduced to the organization as the Sporting KC II goalkeeper coach in the side’s inaugural season in 2016. In his first season working with the Sporting KC first team, starting goalkeeper Tim Melia enjoyed a record-breaking season where he was named the 2017 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. A former MLS player, Dufty began his playing career with the New York Red Bulls in 2009, making one appearance before joining the MLS reserve goalkeeper pool. In 2010, Dufty joined USSF D2 Pro League side AC St. Louis, making 30 appearances before returning to MLS with the Chicago Fire in late 2010. He announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2011 season. Dufty then took to coaching, first working with Florida Gulf Coast University and then the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2015, Dufty served as goalkeeper coach for Toronto FC II in their inaugural USL Championship season.
Joey Harty was named Sporting Kansas City’s Director of Sports Performance and Science ahead of the 2020 season, stepping up from his role as assistant fitness coach which he held from 2018-2019. Harty manages all aspects of the club’s performance department from the academy to the senior team. He oversees day-to-day training plans on and off the field, including work in the weight room, soccer session planning, on-field movement training, data analysis and more, aiming to optimize player health and performance. Harty joined Sporting’s organization in January 2016, serving as a fitness coach for the Sporting Kansas City Academy before spending the 2017 season as head fitness coach for Sporting KC II. The Colorado native then transitioned to assistant fitness coach for Sporting’s first team in January 2018 before landing his current role with the club. Prior to arriving in Kansas City, Harty worked for Phoenix Rising FC and Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Harty attended Grand Canyon from 2010-2014, played for the men’s soccer team from 2010-2012 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. In addition to holding several professional licenses and certifications in athletic performance, Harty is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
DIRECTOR, SPORTS PERFORMANCE & SCIENCE | JOEY HARTY
#30 | F | STEPHEN AFRIFA
Height: 5-10
Weight: 150
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
College: Florida International University
Acquired: 2023
Birthday: 2/19/2001
MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#8)
Forward Stephen Afrifa was selected by Sporting Kansas City as the eighth overall pick of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft before signing with the team at the conclusion of his senior year in April. He enjoyed a standout career at FIU, where he amassed 23 goals and 11 assists in 63 appearances from 2019-2022. He made his debut for Sporting on May 17, 2023 at LAFC before earning his first start at Austin on July 15, 2023. Afrifa scored his first goal for the club in a 4-0 Open Cup win over FC Tulsa on May 21, 2024.
Capable of playing as a striker or a winger, Afrifa began his professional journey on the heels of a phenomenal campaign in 2022 that yielded a team-high 10 goals, four assists and USC Second Team All-American honors. He guided the Panthers to the 2022
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 1, 4 times, last: Sept. 28, 2024, KC at STL
Assists 1, Aug. 24, 2024, KC vs. ORL
Shots on Goal 4, Sept. 28, 2024, KC at STL
Shots 6, Sept. 28, 2024, KC at STL
Fouls Committed 3, 2 times, last: Sept. 15, 2024, KC at SEA
Fouls Suffered 2, 4 times, last: Oct. 5, 2024, KC vs. LAFC
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal Sept. 28, 2024, KC at STL
Assist Aug. 24, 2024, KC vs. ORL
2025 Record when: he starts 0-0-0 he scores 0-0-0
American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and was named the AAC Championship Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Afrifa ended his senior season as a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and a member of the USC All-East Region Team. As a freshman, Afrifa tallied three goals and three assists, and added two goals and an assist during his sophomore year. As a junior, Afrifa helped FIU make its first of two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances with eight goals and three assists.
On the international stage, Afrifa has earned two caps for the Canadian Men’s National Team. Afrifa made his international debut in a 2-1 win over the USMNT at Children’s Mercy Park on Sept. 7, 2024 before appearing against Mexico three days later.
#23 | F | WILLIAM AGADA
Height: 5-9 Weight: 185 Birthday: 9/17/1999
Hometown: Bauchi, Nigeria
Last Club: Hapoel Jerusalem (Israel)
Acquired: Acquired in transfer on 6/23/2022
William Agada joined Sporting KC in a transfer from Israeli side Hapoel Jerusalem in June 2022. A native of Nigeria, Agada scored 37 goals across four seasons in Israel before heading to the United States.
Agada, who has tallied 24 goals and six assists across 76 appearances in all competitions for Sporting, enjoyed an excellent start to life in Sporting Blue in 2022 - tallying eight goals and two assists in just 12 games before missing much of 2023 with a broken leg. He rebounded in 2024 to lead the team with 12 goals across all competitions.
Regular Season Game Highs: Goals 2, 6 times, last: July 7, 2024, KC vs. DAL Assists 1, 5 times, last: Sept. 18, 2024, KC vs. COL Shots on Goal 5, 2 times, last: July 7, 2024, KC vs. DAL
Shots 10, June 19, 2024, KC vs. RSL
Fouls Committed 7, Oct. 19, 2024, KC at DAL
Fouls Suffered 3, 4 times, last: July 20, 2024, KC vs. STL
Last Regular Season... Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal Oct. 19, 2024, KC at DAL
Assist Sept. 18, 2024, KC vs. COL
2025 Record when: he starts 0-1-0 he scores 0-0-0
Agada turned professional as an 18-year-old and bagged eight goals during his first season with Hapoel Jerusalem in 2018-2019. He doubled his goal haul the following year, scoring a team-best 15 times across 36 appearances in the Israeli second division.
Agada’s excellent 2019-2020 campaign paved the way for a loan to Hapoel Haifa in the Israeli Premier League where he finished second on the team with six goals in 20202021. The 2021-2022 season saw Agada return to Hapoel Jerusalem, which had gained promotion to the Premier League and led the team with eight goals.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 160
Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas
College: University of Notre Dame
#16 | M | JACOB BARTLETT
Regular Season Game Highs:
Fouls Committed 2, March 29, 2025, KC at DAL Fouls Suffered 1, 3 times, last: April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Last Regular Season... Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal N/A
Assist N/A
2025 Record when: he starts 1-4-0 he scores 0-0-0
Birthday: 10/7/2005
Acquired: Signed as Homegrown Player on 1/9/2025
Sporting Kansas City signed midfielder Jacob Bartlett as a Homegrown Player ahead of the 2025 campaign. Bartlett is the 22nd Homegrown Player to emerge from the Sporting KC Academy. Bartlett climbed the youth ranks in the SKC Academy, competing at the U-12 through U-19 levels, and represented Sporting KC II as an amateur player during the 2023 and 2024 MLS NEXT Pro seasons.
Bartlett joined the SKC Academy as an 11-year-old in 2017 and was part of the U-14 team that won the 2019 LA Galaxy Cup and placed second at the 2020 US Youth Futsal National Championships. Bartlett ascended to the U-15, U-17 and U-19 squads as a standout performer over the next three years, helping the U-19s to a 2023 UPSL regular
season division title. He signed his first amateur contract with SKC II in early 2023 and earned his MLS NEXT Pro debut that April with a start in central defense against FC Cincinnati 2.
TopDrawerSoccer tabbed Bartlett a top-50 prospect nationally and the No. 2 player in the Heartland Region ahead of his debut season with Notre Dame in 2024, where Bartlett played in 16 of the team’s 17 games. Bartlett’s oldest brother, Alec, played for the USL’s Charlotte Independence in 2016 while his other brother, Lucas, is entering his fourth MLS season and his second year with D.C. United. His sister, Grace, plays collegiately at Grand Canyon University.
#22 | M | ZORHAN BASSONG
Height: 5-9 Weight: 175 Birthday: 5/7/1999
Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Last Club: Farul Constanta (Romania) Acquired: Signed as Free Agent on 12/12/2023
Sporting Kansas City added midfielder Zorhan Bassong ahead of the 2024 campaign. The Canadian has previously spent time in France, Belgium, Romania and Major League Soccer, including 43 matches in all competitions with CF Montreal. He played two MLS seasons in Montreal from 2021-2022 before spending 2023 in Romania with Arges Pitesti and Farul Constanta. Bassong - who can play in midfield or at left back - has made 31 appearances for Sporting in all competitions, tallying one assist.
Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, Bassong moved to Belgium in 2013 to join the Mouscron academy. Bassong furthered his development in the heralded academy systems at Belgian side Anderlecht and French club Lille, beginning his professional
Regular Season Game Highs: Goals 0
Assists 1, 2 times, last: June 19, 2024, KC vs. RSL
Shots on Goal 1, 3 times, last: March 1, 2025, KC vs. SJ
Shots 2, 2 times, last: Oct. 5, 2024, KC vs. LAFC
Fouls Committed 5, June 19, 2024, KC vs. RSL
Fouls Suffered 2, 4 times, last: March 8, 2025, KC at DC
Last Regular Season...
Appearance March 29, 2025, KC at DAL
Goal N/A
Assist June 19, 2024, KC vs. RSL
2025 Record when: he starts 0-2-1 he scores 0-0-0
career at the latter in 2016. He joined Belgian outfit Cercle Brugge in January 2019 and left the club in July 2020. Bassong enjoyed a two-year MLS stint with CF Montreal that began in early 2021. Following his time with Montreal, Bassong spent 2023 with two Romanian clubs, Arges Pitesti and Farul Constanta.
On the international stage, Bassong represented the Belgium U-19s in 2017 before switching his allegiance to Canada. He earned two caps for Canada’s senior national team in January 2020 before being called back in to the national team in October 2024. In March 2021, Bassong played three matches for Canada U-23s at the 2020 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship in Mexico, reaching the semifinals.
#3 | D | ANDREW BRODY
Height: 5-10 Weight: 145 Birthday: 5/3/1995
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Last Club: Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Acquired: Acquired off Waivers on 2/20/2025
Sporting Kansas City acquired outside back Andrew Brody off waivers ahead of the 2025 MLS season. Brody arrived in KC having logged 238 appearances since launching his professional career in 2016. Capable of playing as a right back or a left back, he spent four MLS seasons at Real Salt Lake from 2021-2024, where he had two goals and 17 assists in 133 matches across all competitions.
Brody joined the RSL Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona, as a 16-year-old and became one of the country’s most coveted college recruits, resulting in a three-year stint at the University of Louisville from 2013-2015, amassing nine goals and 15 assists in 61 starts. From 2016-2020, Brody was an integral contributor for Real Monarchs, before spending six months on loan at FC Pinzgau Saalfelden in Austria in 2019.
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 1, 2 times, last: Aug. 14, 2022, RSL at SEA (w/ RSL)
Assists 1, 14 times, last: Sept. 21, 2024, RSL vs. POR (w/ RSL)
Shots on Goal 2, Oct. 1, 2022, RSL at LA (w/ RSL)
Shots 3, Aug. 6, 2022, RSL vs. LAFC (w/ RSL)
Fouls Committed 2, 4 times, last: July 15, 2023, RSL vs. NY (w/ RSL)
Fouls Suffered 3, 2 times, last: June 17, 2023, RSL at DC (w/ RSL)
Last Regular Season...
Appearance March 1, 2025, KC vs. SJ
Goal Aug. 14, 2022, RSL at SEA (w/ RSL)
Assist Sept. 21, 2024, RSL vs. POR (w/ RSL)
2025 Record when: he starts 0-0-0 he scores 0-0-0
Brody signed with RSL as a Homegrown Player ahead of the 2021 season and recorded an assist five minutes into his club debut: a 3-1 home win over Sporting KC on May 1, 2021. Brody enjoyed a career year in 2022, hitting MLS regular season career-highs in appearances (34), starts (33), minutes (2,960), goals (two) and assists (six) as RSL reached the postseason for a second consecutive year. Both of his goals were late winners that resulted in 2-1 triumphs.
Brody remained an important piece of an RSL side that advanced to the playoffs in 2023 and 2024. He totaled 35 appearances in 2023 - including four in the club’s run to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals - and 36 appearances in 2024.
#17 | M | JAKE DAVIS
Height: 5-10 Weight: 160 Birthday: 1/3/2002
Hometown: Rochester, Michigan
Last Club: Sporting KC II (USL Championship)
Acquired: Signed as Homegrown Player on 8/19/2021
Sporting Kansas City signed midfielder Jake Davis as a Homegrown Player in August 2021 as the 19th Homegrown Player to emerge from the SKC Academy.
Since debuting for the club on Sept. 15, 2021, Davis has tallied three goals and 11 assists in 84 matches across all competitions and was named team Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and team MVP in 2024. Davis broke into the team at right back in 2023 before splitting time at right back and in central midfield in 2024. Davis scored his first goal for the club with the game-winner in a 3-1 win at Toronto on March 30, 2024 and scored a goal nominated for MLS Goal of the Year against Austin on May 18, 2024.
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 1, 3 times, last: Aug. 24, 2024, KC vs. ORL
Assists 1, 8 times, last: March 8, 2025, KC at DC
Shots on Goal 1, 6 times, last: April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Shots 3, 2 times, last: March 29, 2025, KC at DAL
Fouls Committed 5, Sept. 7, 2024, KC at NY
Fouls Suffered 2, 3 times, last: May 4, 2024, KC at RSL
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal Aug. 24, 2024, KC vs. ORL
Assist March 8, 2025, KC at DC
2025 Record when: he starts 1-6-1 he scores 0-0-0
Davis spent significant time developing with SKC II under former Sporting greats Paulo Nagamura and Benny Feilhaber from 2019-2022 before breaking out with the first team in 2023, helping the team post a 12-7-5 record in the 24 regular-season matches he started.
A native of Rochester, Michigan, Davis moved to Kansas City in 2017 at age 15 to join the SKC Academy. He represented Sporting at the U-17 and U-19 levels, amassing eight goals across 54 appearances. In July 2024, Davis was named as an alternate for the U.S. Olympic team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, his first international recognition since November 2019 when he was selected to the U.S. U-17 National Team.
#24 | D | JOAQUIN FERNANDEZ
Height: 6-3
Weight: 170 Birthday: 5/31/1996
Hometown: Huercal de Almeria, Spain
Last Club: Trabzonspor (Turkey)
Acquired: Signed as Free Agent on 8/13/2024
Sporting Kansas City signed Spanish center back Joaquin Fernandez midway through the 2024 campaign. A 6-foot-3 center back, Fernandez logged over 300 professional appearances during a 12-year European career, including 85 matches in the top-flight Spanish La Liga with Real Valladolid. Fernandez made his Sporting debut on Oct. 5, 2024 and played the final two matches of the 2024 campaign.
Fernandez joined the UD Almeria youth academy in his hometown and made his senior debut with Almeria B in the Spanish third division as a 16-year-old in December 2012. In 2015, he was promoted to Almeria’s first team in the Spanish Segunda. Fernandez was a regular starter for Almeria from 2016-2018, logging 35 appearances each season. In 2018, Fernandez moved up to La Liga by signing for newly promoted Real Valladolid.
Regular Season Game Highs: Goals 0 Assists 0 Shots on Goal 1, Oct. 19, 2024, KC at DAL Shots 1, 3 times, last: April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Fouls Committed 3, 2 times, last: March 8, 2025, KC at DC
Fouls Suffered 3, 2 times, last: April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal N/A
Assist N/A
2025 Record when: he
Fernandez was a starter in La Liga from 2018-2021, and although Valladolid was relegated to the second tier in 2021, the team bounced back into the top flight by finishing second in the 2021-22 Spanish Segunda. Fernandez made a career-high 27 La Liga appearances in 2022-23 and played his final match for Valladolid in a 3-1 victory over European powerhouse FC Barcelona on May 23, 2023. In June 2023, Fernandez moved abroad for the first time in his career by joining Turkish side Trabzonspor, making 17 appearances and helping Trabzonspor finish third in the league to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
On the international stage, Fernandez represented Spain at the U-16, U-17 and U-18 levels from 2012-2014 and participated in 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
#21 | M | MANU GARCIA
Height: 5-7
Weight: 150 Birthday: 1/2/1998
Hometown: Oviedo, Spain
Last Club: Aris Thessaloniki (Greece)
Acquired: Acquired in transfer on 2/3/2025
Sporting Kansas City acquired Spanish midfielder Manu Garcia as a Designated Player from Greek side Aris Thessaloniki ahead of the 2025 season. Garcia arrives at Sporting having amassed 21 goals and 40 assists in nearly 300 professional matches, playing in the top divisions of England, France, Netherlands, Spain and Greece.
Garcia developed as a youth at Astur CF and Sporting Gijon prior to joining the academy of Manchester City in early 2014. He made his first-team debut for Man City on Sept. 22, 2015, replacing Sergio Aguero in a League Cup victory at Sunderland. Garcia scored his first Man City goal the following month to seal another League Cup win over Crystal Palace and later made his Premier League debut on March 5, 2016. Garcia was loaned to two clubs for the 2016-17 season - Spanish La Liga side Alaves and Dutch outfit NAC
Regular Season Game Highs: Goals 0
Assists 1, 2 times, last: April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL Shots on Goal 1, 2 times, last: March 22, 2025, KC vs. LAFC Shots 3, March 1, 2025, KC vs. SJ
Fouls Committed 2, 2 times, last: April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL
Fouls Suffered 3, March 29, 2025, KC at DAL
Last Regular Season... Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR Goal N/A
Assist April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL
2025 Record when: he starts 1-5-1
Breda. He played an instrumental role in NAC’s promotion to the top-flight Eredivisietallying two goals and nine assists in half a season - and continued his loan spell at the Dutch club for 2017-18. The 2018-19 campaign saw Garcia go on loan to Toulouse in the French Ligue 1. In July 2019, Garcia moved to Sporting Gijon on a club-record transfer fee. He made 76 appearances for Gijon over the next two seasons, recording four goals and 11 assists, before going on loan to La Liga’s Alaves in 2021-22. Garcia signed for Aris in Super League Greece in July 2022 and bagged his first hat-trick in a 3-0 home win over Volos on Jan. 21, 2023.
On the international stage, Garcia represented Spain at the U-16, U-17, U-19 and U-21 levels before debuting for Spain’s senior national team in June 2021.
#2 | D | IAN JAMES
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190 Birthday: 6/6/2008
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Last Club: Sporting KC Academy
Acquired: Signed as Homegrown Player on 12/6/2024
Sporting Kansas City signed defender Ian James as a Homegrown Player ahead of the 2025 campaign, becoming the fourth youngest signing in Sporting KC history at the age of 16 years and 183 days. James represented Sporting at the U-14 through U-19 youth levels and broke into the U.S. U-16 and U-17 Men’s National Teams in 2024. James also played 10 matches for Sporting KC II during the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season.
A native of Minnesota, James captained the Sporting KC U-15s during the 2022-23 MLS NEXT season before spending most of the 2023-24 campaign with the U-17s. James participated in the 2024 MLS NEXT All-Star Game on July 23 in Columbus, Ohio, as one of the top 44 academy players from across the country.
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
Hometown: Belgrade, Serbia
Last Club: LA Galaxy (MLS)
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals N/A
Assists N/A
Shots on Goal N/A
Shots N/A
Fouls Committed N/A
Fouls Suffered N/A
Last Regular Season... Appearance N/A
Goal N/A
Assist N/A
2025 Record when: he starts
James signed an amateur academy contract for Sporting KC II in 2024 and earned his SKC II debut on March 17, 2024 - a 2-1 win over Houston Dynamo 2. James logged 10 appearances in his first MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
James earned his first selection to the U.S. U-16 Men’s National Team in April 2024 for a training camp in Florida before returning to the U-16 squad the following month for a training camp in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In November 2024, James was called up for a U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team training camp in West Palm Beach, Florida - his first inclusion at that age level.
#9 | F | DEJAN JOVELJIC
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 2, 6 times, last: April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL
Assists 2, May 29, 2022, LA vs. ATX (w/ LA)
Shots on Goal 4, 3 times, last: April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL
Shots 6, 3 times, last: April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL
Fouls Committed 3, 6 times, last: April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL
Fouls Suffered 4, Oct. 23, 2021, LA vs. DAL (w/ LA)
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Assist Oct. 2, 2024, LA at COL (w/ LA)
2025 Record when: he starts 1-5-1 he scores 1-2-1
Birthday: 8/7/1999
Acquired: Acquired in cash-for-player trade on 2/1/2025
Sporting Kansas City acquired striker Dejan Joveljic from the LA Galaxy in exchange for $4 million on Feb. 1, 2025, marking the first cash-for-player trade in MLS history. Joveljic signed a new Designated Player contract upon arrival in Kansas City.
Joveljic joined Sporting on the heels of a brilliant 2024 campaign that saw the Serbian international record 21 goals and eight assists in all competitions, including six goals in the MLS Cup Playoffs as LA won MLS Cup. Joveljic amassed 85 goals and 26 assists during an accomplished professional career that has spanned Serbia, Germany and MLS in addition to loan spells in Belgium and Austria. The center forward was notably a Serbian SuperLiga champion at Red Star Belgrade and in 2021 joined the Galaxy, where he totaled 45 goals and 18 assists in four seasons as an integral part of LA’s attack.
Joveljic developed in the academy of Serbian powerhouse Red Star Belgrade, turning pro as a 16-year-old in 2016 and helped Red Star to the 2017-18 SuperLiga title. Joveljic enjoyed a breakout 2018-19 campaign that yielded 11 goals in all competitions and his debut in the UEFA Champions League. Joveljic was transferred to German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019 and spent the latter half of the 2019-20 season on loan at Belgian heavyweight Anderlecht. Joveljic then enjoyed a loan stint at Austrian Bundesliga club Wolfsberger, tallying 20 goals and five assists during the 2020-2021 campaign.
On the international stage, Joveljic has scored two goals in seven appearances for the Serbia Men’s National Team, having previously represented his country at the U-16 through U-21 youth levels.
#12 | GK | JACK KORTKAMP
Height: 6-2 Weight: 190 Birthday: 1/28/2008
Hometown: Maple Grove, Minnesota
Last Club: Sporting KC Academy
Acquired: Signed as Homegrown Player on 12/6/2024
Sporting Kansas City signed goalkeeper Jack Kortkamp as a Homegrown Player ahead of the 2025 MLS season, becoming the fifth youngest signing in Sporting KC history at the age of 16 years and 13 days and the youngest goalkeeper in club history.
Kortkamp represented Sporting at the U-14 through U-19 levels, helping the U-19s win their second consecutive UPSL regular season division title in 2024 and leading the U-17s to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Generation adidas Cup. Kortkamp trained with Sporting’s first team during the 2024 preseason in Miami before signing an amateur contract with Sporting KC II in May 2024. He earned his SKC II debut on June 12 at Real Monarchs.
Regular Season Game Highs: Goals Allowed N/A Saves N/A
Last Regular Season... Appearance N/A Shutout N/A
2025 Record when: he starts 0-0-0
Kortkamp is an experienced U.S. youth international who has competed in the U-15, U-16 and U-17 age groups. He participated in his first U.S. U-15 training camp in October 2022 at Compass Minerals National Performance Center in Kansas City, before making his U.S. U-15 debut in April 2023. Kortkamp earned his first selection to the U.S. U-16s with a Florida training camp in April 2024 and returned to the squad the following month for a training camp in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In September 2024, Kortkamp featured twice for the U-17s at the Vaclav Jezek Tournament in Europe. In November 2024, he was called up for a U-17s training camp in Florida before joining the U-17s once again for the 2025 Concacaf U-17 Men’s Qualifiers in February 2025.
Height: 5-9
Weight: 165
Hometown: Friolzheim, Germany
Last Club: Hamburger SV (Germany)
#14 | D | TIM LEIBOLD
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 1, June 29, 2024, KC vs. ATX
Assists 1, 7 times, last: March 15, 2025, KC vs. MIN
Shots on Goal 2, March 30, 2024, KC at TOR
Shots 2, 5 times, last: March 1, 2025, KC vs. SJ
Fouls Committed 3, 2 times, last: July 20, 2024, KC vs. STL
Fouls Suffered 5, March 9, 2024, KC at LAFC
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal June 29, 2024, KC vs. ATX
Assist March 15, 2025, KC vs. MIN
2025 Record when: he starts 0-1-0 he scores 0-0-0
Birthday: 11/30/1993
Acquired: Signed as Free Agent on 1/12/2023
Tim Leibold joined Sporting Kansas City in January 2023 having amassed more than 20 goals and 40 assists in nearly 300 professional appearances in his native Germany. Leibold is the third German newcomer at Sporting since the start of 2022, following center back Robert Voloder and midfielder Erik Thommy. Since joining the club, Leibold has tallied one goal and seven assists in 62 appearances across all competitions.
Leibold spent eight seasons across Germany’s top two divisions from 2015-2022. He starred at Nurnberg from 2015-2019 before moving to Hamburg, where he served as club captain during the 2020-21 campaign. Leibold developed in youth academies at VfB Stuttgart, TSF Ditzingen and SGV Freiberg before turning professional with Freiberg at
age 18 in 2012. Leibold enjoyed a breakthrough in 2015 by joining 2. Bundesliga side Nurnburg and solidifying his place as a regular starter. The 2018-19 campaign saw Leibold lead Nurnburg with 32 Bundesliga starts while also assisting three goals. Competing in one of the world’s best leagues, he led the team in key passes, tackles, recoveries and touches while placing second in minutes played.
Leibold then returned to the 2. Bundesliga with a move to Hamburg, where he had his best professional season to date in 2019-20. He played every minute of all 34 league matches and led the 2. Bundesliga with 16 assists. At the international level, Leibold played five matches for the Germany U-20s in 2013.
#15 | D | JANSEN MILLER
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180 Birthday: 2/10/2002
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
College: Indiana University
Acquired: 2025 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#8)
Sporting Kansas City signed Jansen Miller ahead of the 2025 season after selecting the defender with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft out of Indiana University. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Miller became Kansas City’s highest draft pick for a defender since longtime captain and U.S. international Matt Besler was also taken eighth overall in the 2009 draft.
Miller played 77 total matches in four college seasons, logging 27 appearances at Xavier in 2021 before transferring to Indiana and featuring in 50 games or the Hoosiers from 2022-2024. He was a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection in 2024, concluding his collegiate career with a third straight NCAA tournament berth and scoring a golden goal
Regular Season Game Highs: Goals 0
Assists 0
Shots on Goal 1, March 29, 2025, KC at DAL
Shots 1, March 29, 2025, KC at DAL
Fouls Committed 2, March 22, 2025, KC vs. LAFC
Fouls Suffered 2, March 8, 2025, KC at DC
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal N/A
Assist N/A
2025 Record when: he starts 1-3-0 he scores 0-0-0
against Akron in the second round of the postseason. During his time at IU, the Hoosiers were College Cup finalists in 2022, Big Ten tournament champions in 2023 and finished atop the conference regular season standings in each of his final two years. In addition to his time on campus, Miller also played for USL League Two teams St. Louis Scott Gallagher (2021), Long Island Rough Riders (2023) and Ocean City Nor’easters (2024).
Miller played for Saint Louis FC in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, where he was named to the USC Youth Boys All-Central Region Team in 2019. He signed amateur academy contracts with Saint Louis FC in 2019 and 2020, training regularly at the USL Championship level.
#18 | D | LOGAN NDENBE
Height: 5-8
Weight: 170
Hometown: La Louviere, Belgium
Last Club: EA Guingamp (France)
Acquired: Acquired in transfer on 1/14/2022
Birthday: 2/9/2000
Logan Ndenbe joined Sporting in a transfer from French team EA Guingamp in January 2022. Ndenbe arrived in Kansas City after spending his first five professional seasons in Europe with Belgian top-flight side KV Oostende and Guingamp.
Ndenbe has made 68 appearances for the club in all competitions, tallying two goals and two assists with both goals coming in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs series against St. Louis. Ndenbe suffered a torn ACL in the second match against St. Louis on Nov. 5, 2023 and returned to the field exactly nine months later on Aug. 5, 2024.
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 0
Assists 1, Oct. 7, 2023, KC at RSL
Shots on Goal 1, 5 times, last: Oct. 19, 2024, KC at DAL
Shots 3, April 30, 2022, KC vs. DAL
Fouls Committed 3, 2 times, last: Sept. 30, 2023, KC at STL
Fouls Suffered 4, 2 times, last: July 3, 2022, KC vs. NY
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal N/A
Assist Oct. 7, 2023, KC at RSL
2025 Record when: he starts 1-5-1
Ndenbe developed in the Royal Excel Mouscron academy before joining KV Oostende as a 17-year-old in 2017. Ndenbe left Belgium in July 2020, signing for Guingamp to mark the start of a successful stint in the French Ligue 2.
On the youth international stage, Ndenbe rose through the Belgian U-17 and U-18 teams before earning his Belgium U-21 debut in June 2021 for his first of six matches in 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying. He started in four games during qualifying, helping the team go 3-0-1.
#1 | GK | JOHN PULSKAMP
Height: 6-4
Weight: 205 Birthday: 4/19/2001
Hometown: Bakersfield, California
Last Club: Sporting Kansas City II (USL Championship)
Acquired: Signed as a Homegrown Player on 2/24/2020
John Pulskamp joined Sporting KC as a Homegrown Player ahead of the 2020 season after acquiring his Homegrown rights from the LA Galaxy where he spent two seasons in the club’s Academy. He earned his MLS debut in the 2021 season opener, helping the side to a 2-1 victory at the New York Red Bulls and has made 37 regular-season appearances for the club in MLS play, tallying seven shutouts.
Pulskamp became the youngest goalkeeper in Sporting KC history to record a shutout following a 2-0 win over the LA Galaxy on Oct. 27, 2021 at the age of 20 years and 191 days. He enjoyed a breakout year in 2022 when he deputized for an injured Tim Melia to make 15 starts in all competitions, posting an 8-3-4 record.
Regular Season Game Highs: Goals Allowed 4, 3 times, last: April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR Saves 7, July 17, 2022, KC at RSL
Last Regular Season... Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR Shutout April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL 2025 Record when: he starts 1-6-1
Pulskamp joined the MLS ranks on the heels of a breakout 2019 USL Championship season with SKC II. Pulskamp arrived in Kansas City in April 2019 after a two-year stint in the LA Galaxy Academy. He also spent time on trial with English Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth in the summer of 2018. Prior to joining the Galaxy, he represented youth sides Real So Cal and Central California Aztecs.
Pulskamp was called in to a U.S. Men’s National Team training camp in December 2021 and was named as an alternate for the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the youth international level, Pulskamp has represented the U.S. at the U-18 and U-20 levels.
#6 | M | NEMANJA RADOJA
Height: 6-0 Weight: 175 Birthday: 2/6/1993
Hometown: Novi Sad, Serbia
Last Club: Levante (Spain)
Acquired: Signed as Free Agent on 10/26/2022
Nemanja Radoja signed with Sporting KC ahead of the 2023 campaign, having spent most of the last decade in the Spanish La Liga with Celta Vigo and Levante. Radoja played nearly 300 matches across the top divisions of Serbia and Spain and also boasts experience in the UEFA Europa League with Vojvodina and Celta Vigo. Radoja has tallied one goal and eight assists in 67 appearances across all competitions since joining SKC.
Radoja began his professional career with Serbian club Vojvodina before embarking on an eight-year journey in La Liga. He logged 181 La Liga appearances from 2014-2022, playing alongside Sporting defender Andreu Fontas at Celta Vigo from 2014-2018 and spent three seasons with Levante from 2019-2022. Radoja developed in Vojvodina’s youth academy and joined the club’s senior team in 2011 prior to brief loan spells in Serbia. Celta Vigo acquired Radoja via transfer in August 2014 and he took little time
Regular Season Game Highs: Goals 1, March 23, 2024, KC vs. LA
Assists 2, 2 times, last: July 13, 2024, KC at SJ Shots on Goal 2, March 23, 2024, KC vs. LA
Shots 3, March 23, 2024, KC vs. LA
Fouls Committed 3, 6 times, last: July 20, 2024, KC vs. STL
Fouls Suffered 6, March 15, 2025, KC vs. MIN
Last Regular Season... Appearance April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL
Goal March 23, 2024, KC vs. LA
Assist April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL
2025 Record when: he starts 0-3-1 he scores 0-0-0
settling in as a key figure for Celta, regularly competing in tandem with Fontas for a team that finished eighth in 2014-15. Radoja and Celta improved upon their fortunes in 2015-16 leading to a sixth-place league finish. Celta Vigo’s 2016-17 campaign was highlighted by runs to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey and UEFA Europa League, where they fell to eventual champions Manchester United. Radoja moved to Levante ahead of the 2019-20 campaign. His first year at the club was highlighted by scoring in a 3-1 upset win over European powerhouse FC Barcelona.
On the international stage, Radoja has two caps for the Serbia Men’s National Team. He earned his senior debut in a friendly match at Ukraine in November 2016 and made one appearance in Serbia’s successful qualifying campaign ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. As a youth, Radoja represented Serbia at the U-18 through U-21 levels.
Height: 5-8
Weight: 155
Hometown: El Campo, Texas
Last Club: Austin FC (MLS)
#8 | M | MEMO RODRIGUEZ
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 2, 2 times, last: July 13, 2020, HOU at LAFC (w/ HOU)
Assists 1, 22 times, last: July 7, 2024, KC vs. DAL
Shots on Goal 3, 3 times, last: July 24, 2021, HOU at SJ (w/ HOU)
Shots 7, 2 times, last: April 16, 2021, HOU vs. SJ (w/ HOU)
Fouls Committed 5, June 18, 2022, HOU at ORL (w/ HOU)
Fouls Suffered 5, 2 times, last: June 29, 2022, HOU at POR (w/ HOU)
Last Regular Season... Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal July 7, 2024, KC vs. DAL
Assist July 7, 2024, KC vs. DAL
2025 Record when: he starts 0-2-0
Birthday: 12/27/1995
Acquired: Signed as Free Agent on 2/1/2024
Sporting Kansas City signed midfielder Memo Rodriguez ahead of the 2024 MLS campaign. Prior to joining Sporting, Rodriguez scored 34 goals in 227 professional club appearances since joining the Houston Dynamo as a homegrown player in late 2014. He spent seven MLS seasons in Houston, notably winning the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, prior to representing both LA Galaxy and Austin FC in 2023. Rodriguez has tallied three goals and six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions for Sporting.
Born in Wharton, Texas, and raised in nearby El Campo, Rodriguez entered the Houston Dynamo Academy in 2011. He was named its Academy Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013 before launching his MLS career at age 18, inking a Homegrown Player deal with
the Dynamo ahead of the 2015 season. He spent most of his debut campaign on loan with the Charleston Battery in the USL Championship before joining Rio Grande Valley, Houston’s then-affiliate, for a breakout 2016 season. Rodriguez rejoined Houston in 2017 and made his MLS debut on April 8, 2017. In 2018, Rodriguez won the U.S. Open Cup with Houston before being named the Dynamo Young Player of the Year in 2019.
The Galaxy signed Rodriguez as a free agent in January 2023. He scored his first goal for the club in a thrilling 3-2 road win over Real Salt Lake on May 31 before moving to Austin FC in a trade on Aug. 1. He played nine MLS matches for Austin and finished the year with 21 league appearances, notching one goal and two assists.
#5 | D | DANY ROSERO
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Last Club: Atletico Junior (Colombia)
Acquired: Acquired in transfer on 3/2/2023
Birthday: 10/6/1993
Sporting Kansas City acquired center back Dany Rosero in a transfer from Colombian side Atletico Junior in March 2023. Rosero eclipsed 300 professional appearances across Argentina and his native Colombia, scoring 20 goals and competing in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. Beginning his career at Argentine club Arsenal de Sarandi as a teenager, the defender spent seven seasons in the Colombian top-flight Categoria Primera A with Patriotas Boyacá, Deportivo Cali and Junior. To date, Rosero has tallied seven goals in 67 appearances across all competitions for Sporting KC.
Born in Colombia, Rosero moved to Argentina to join Arsenal’s youth academy and began his professional career with the club in 2012. He enjoyed a pair of early breakthroughs by helping Arsenal win the 2013 Copa Argentina and by appearing in the 2014 Copa Libertadores. Rosero returned to his home country in 2016 with Patriotas Boyacá where
Regular Season Game Highs: Goals 1, 4 times, last: April 7, 2024, KC vs. POR
Assists 0
Shots on Goal 1, 13 times, last: March 29, 2025, KC at DAL Shots 3, April 1, 2023, KC at PHI
Fouls Committed 3, 3 times, last: June 22, 2024, KC at CLB Fouls Suffered 3, 2 times, last: April 20, 2024, KC vs. STL
Last Regular Season... Appearance April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL Goal April 7, 2024, KC vs. POR
Assist N/A
2025 Record when: he
strong performances paved the way for Rosero to join Colombian powerhouse Deportivo Cali in 2017. Rosero delivered his most dominant season to date in 2019, scoring seven goals and starting 55 games in all competitions, with Deportivo Cali finishing as Copa Colombia runners-up.
In 2020, Rosero signed for Colombian heavyweights Junior and played in both the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, making 11 starts across the two tournaments. The following season, Rosero made seven appearances in the Copa Libertadores and one in the Copa Sudamericana while scoring three goals in 33 Primera A matches as Junior finished fifth in the aggregate league table. Rosero remained one of the Colombian first division’s best center backs in 2022, starting 36 league games and propelling Junior to the Copa Colombia finals.
Height: 6-1
Weight: 160
Hometown: Budapest, Hungary
Last Club: Sporting KC Academy
#10 | F | DANIEL SALLOI
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 2, 4 times, last: May 18, 2022, KC vs. COL Assists 2, 5 times, last: Sept. 18, 2024, KC vs. COL
Shots on Goal 4, 3 times, last: July 13, 2019, KC at VAN
Shots 8, May 5, 2018, KC vs. COL
Fouls Committed 4, June 7, 2019, KC at TOR
Fouls Suffered 5, July 31, 2021, KC vs. DAL
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal March 29, 2025, KC at DAL
Assist Sept. 18, 2024, KC vs. COL
2025 Record when: he starts 1-3-0 he scores 0-1-1
Birthday: 7/19/1996
Acquired: Signed as Homegrown Player on 1/13/2016
Daniel Salloi signed with Sporting KC as a Homegrown Player in early 2016 and made his Sporting KC debut on April 9, 2017. After enjoying a breakout campaign in 2018 where he tallied 16 goals and seven assists in all competitions, Salloi rebounded from a few lean years to be named an MLS All-Star and an MLS MVP finalist in 2021 after recording 16 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, tying the club record for most non-penalty goals in a single MLS regular season. His 16 game-winning goals are the most in club history.
Salloi, who signed a new four-year contract in late 2022, enjoyed another productive year in 2023 by leading the team with 22 goal contributions (10 goals, 12 assists) and has recorded 62 goals and 43 assists in 262 appearances across all competitions. Salloi scored on his first start for the club - a 4-0 win over Minnesota United in the U.S. Open Cup on June 14, 2017 - and added his first MLS goal vs. Portland on July 1, 2017 before scoring the winning goal in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup Final against the Red Bulls.
Salloi moved to the U.S. in 2014 as an AFS exchange student and attended Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas, joining the SKC Academy. Salloi briefly returned to his former Hungarian Academy side Ujpest FC in July 2015 where he made his pro debut on July 18, 2015 before returning to Kansas City in 2016. He split the 2016 season on loan with SKC II and Gyirmot SE in Hungary before joining the Sporting KC first team full-time in 2017.
Salloi has four caps for the senior Hungary National Team, having made his debut in a World Cup Qualifier against England on Sept. 2, 2021. He previously played for the Hungary Under-21 National Team.
#36 | GK | RYAN SCHEWE
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200 Birthday: 3/8/2002
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
College: Georgetown
Acquired: 2024 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#22)
Sporting Kansas City selected goalkeeper Ryan Schewe as the 22nd overall pick in the first round of MLS SuperDraft 2024. In two outstanding seasons as a starter at Georgetown University from 2022-2023, Schewe posted a 20-4-4 record with a 0.79 goals against average, 12 clean sheets and 86 saves. He enjoyed a breakout season as a junior in 2022, landing Second Team All-BIG EAST recognition after leading the conference in save percentage (.838) and shutouts (seven) en route to an 11-2-1 record.
During his senior year in 2023, Schewe propelled the Hoyas to the BIG EAST regular season championship with a 9-2-3 record and led the conference with the lowest goals against average (0.84) and the most shutouts (five). He punctuated his final college
Regular Season Game Highs: Goals Allowed N/A Saves N/A
Last Regular Season... Appearance N/A Shutout N/A 2025 Record when: he starts 0-0-0
campaign with BIG East Goalkeeper of the Year and First Team All-BIG EAST honors while also receiving United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-East Region accolades.
In addition to playing for Georgetown, Schewe competed as an amateur for Georgia club Apotheos FC of the National Premier Soccer League in 2022 and the New York-based Westchester Flames of USL League Two in 2023. At the youth level, the Georgia native spent three years each with the Atlanta United Academy and United Football Academy in his home state.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185
Hometown: Austin, Texas
College: Oregon State
Last Club: SC Paderborn 07 (Germany)
#11 | D | KHIRY SHELTON
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 1, 18 times, last: June 10, 2023, KC vs. ATX
Assists 3, Sept. 23, 2016, NYC vs. CHI (w/ NYC)
Shots on Goal 4, July 17, 2020, KC vs. COL
Shots 6, May 5, 2018, KC vs. COL
Fouls Committed 4, 2 times, last: Oct. 21, 2018, KC at FCD
Fouls Suffered 4, April 11, 2015, NYC at PHI (w/ NYC)
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal June 10, 2023, KC vs. ATX
Assist June 8, 2024, KC vs. SEA
2025 Record when: he starts 1-2-0 he scores 0-0-0
Birthday: 6/26/1993
Acquired: Signed as Free Agent on 12/9/2019
Khiry Shelton is in the midst of his second stint with Sporting Kansas City, having initially helped the club to a first place in the Western Conference and a record-breaking scoring season in 2018, before departing to play in Germany with SC Paderborn 07 for one season in 2019. He returned to the club ahead of the 2020 season and has tallied 15 goals and 19 assists across 169 appearances for the club.
Shelton was selected second overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by expansion side New York City FC and spent three seasons with the club before initially arriving in KC via trade ahead of the 2018 season.
He was NYCFC’s first-ever SuperDraft pick and played a total of 54 regular-season games for the club, notching six goals and 10 assists across just 23 starts.
In college, Shelton attended Oregon State University where he was an NSCAA All-America Second Team selection; Pac-12 Player of the Year; All-Far West Region First Team as he helped lead the Beavers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2003 during his senior year. Shelton was a member of the U.S. U-18 National Team as a youth player.
Height: 5-7
Weight: 155
Hometown: Makhachkala, Russia
Last Club: Aris Thessaloniki (Greece)
Acquired: Acquired in transfer on 2/3/2025
#93 | F | SHAPI SULEYMANOV
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 1, April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Assists 1, 2 times, last: March 29, 2025, KC at DAL
Shots on Goal 1, 2 times, last: April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Shots 3, March 29, 2025, KC at DAL
Fouls Committed 1, 3 times, last: April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Fouls Suffered 5, March 15, 2025, KC vs. MIN
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Assist March 29, 2025, KC at DAL
2025 Record when: he starts 1-5-1 he scores 0-1-0
Birthday: 12/16/1999
Sporting Kansas City acquired winger Shapi Suleymanov in a transfer from Greek side Aris Thessaloniki ahead of the 2025 season. In eight years as a professional, Suleymanov has recorded 55 goals and 46 assists while making over 300 appearances in Russia, Turkey, Israel and Greece.
Suleymanov developed in the FC Krasnodar academy and broke into the club’s first team as a 17-year-old in 2017. That summer, he marked his second career appearance with a 93rd-minute goal to seal a 2-1 victory over Danish side Lyngby in 2017-18 Europa League qualifying. Suleymanov enjoyed a breakout season in 2018-19, finishing with 11 goals in all competitions. The following season saw Suleymanov strike twice in a 3-2 road win at FC Porto in the Champions League, highlighting another strong campaign in which the winger helped Krasnodar to its second consecutive third-place finish in the RPL. In
2020-21, Suleymanov again eclipsed five total goals for the third straight year Suleymanov spent the next two seasons on loan, joining Turkish Super Lig side Giresunspor in 2021-22- tallying three goals and three assists - and Hapoel Be’er Sheva of the Israeli Premier League in 2022-23, where he recorded five goals and five assists as a key contributor. Suleymanov was loaned to Aris for the 2023-24 season and made a strong impression in his debut campaign, notching six goals and four assists across all competitions, leading to a permanent transfer to Aris in 2024.
As a Russian youth international, Suleymanov had six goals and three assists at the U-16 level and added two goals as a U-17 player, before making 12 appearances for the U-18s from 2016 to 2017. He continued to ascend the youth ranks with two goals for the U-19s in late 2017 and three goals for the U-21s from 2019 to 2020.
#26 | M | ERIK THOMMY
Height: 5-8 Weight: 155 Birthday: 8/20/1994
Hometown: Wettenhausen, Germany
Last Club: VfB Stuttgart (Germany)
Acquired: Signed as Free Agent on 6/23/2022
Erik Thommy, a German Bundesliga veteran, signed with Sporting KC in June 2022. Thommy previously recorded 42 goals and 33 assists across nine seasons in his native Germany - including nine goals, 14 assists and 96 appearances in the top-flight Bundesliga. He scored his first goal for Sporting in the 4-2 victory over the LA Galaxy on Aug. 6, 2022 and has tallied 17 goals and 20 assists in 103 appearances across all competitions for the club.
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 2, 2 times, last: Sept. 18, 2024, KC vs. COL
Assists 2, Sept. 2, 2023, KC vs. STL
Shots on Goal 4, 2 times, last: March 11, 2023, KC vs. LA
Shots 8, 2 times, last: June 19, 2024, KC vs. RSL
Fouls Committed 4, April 20, 2024, KC vs. STL
Fouls Suffered 6, Oct. 19, 2024, KC at DAL
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 13, 2024, KC vs. POR
Goal March 8, 2025, KC at DC
Assist Aug. 24, 2024, KC vs. ORL
2025 Record when: he starts 0-4-1 he scores 0-1-0
Capable of playing in an advanced midfield role or on the wing, Thommy launched his professional career with FC Augsburg in 2014 before going on loan to FC Kaiserslautern (2014-2016) and Jahn Regensburg (2016-2017). Thommy joined VfB Stuttgart in 2017, starred for Fortuna Dusseldorf during a successful loan spell in 2019-2020, and ended his time at Stuttgart in the Spring of 2022 by appearing in each of the club’s last six matches of the 2021-2022 campaign.
Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 Birthday: 10/16/1998
Hometown: South Orange, New Jersey
Last Club: Portland Timbers (MLS) Acquired: Signed as Free Agent on 1/13/2025
Thommy developed in academies at SV Kleinbeuren (2000-2002), SSV Ulm (2002-2009) and TSG Thannhausen (2009-2010) before moving to FC Augsburg. He signed for FC Augsburg II in 2013 and made his Bundesliga debut with Augsburg’s senior team as a 19-year-old in February 2014.
#13 | F | MASON TOYE
Regular Season Game Highs:
Goals 2, 5 times, last: June 10, 2023, MTL vs. MIN (w/ MTL)
Assists 1, 6 times, last: June 21, 2023, MTL vs. NSH (w/ MTL)
Shots on Goal 4, July 17, 2021, MTL vs. CIN (w/ MTL)
Shots 6, Sept. 22, 2019, MIN at POR (w/ MIN)
Fouls Committed 3, 5 times, last: Aug. 14, 2021, MTL vs. NY (w/ MTL)
Fouls Suffered 2, 9 times, last: March 18, 2023, MTL vs. PHI (w/ MTL)
Last Regular Season...
Appearance April 5, 2025, KC vs. STL
Goal April 20, 2024, MTL vs. ORL (w/ MTL)
Assist June 21, 2023, MTL vs. NSH (w/ MTL)
2025 Record when: he starts 0-0-0 he scores 0-0-0
Sporting Kansas City signed forward Mason Toye via free agency ahead of the 2025 season. Toye joins Sporting after scoring 25 goals in 140 appearances across his first seven professional seasons, including MLS stints with Minnesota United (2018-2020), CF Montreal (2020-2024) and the Portland Timbers (2024).
Toye began his professional career with Minnesota as the seventh overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. Toye enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign with eight goals and three assists in all competitions. In October 2020, Toye was traded from Minnesota to Montreal. His first full season north of the border in 2021 yielded an MLS career-high seven goals, while Toye’s 2022 campaign was highlighted by a brace in a 2-1 comeback
win over Seattle during Montreal’s best regular season in club history. Toye bagged three more goals for Montreal in 2023 before being traded to the Portland Timbers in July 2024. Toye played one season of college soccer at Big Ten powerhouse Indiana in 2017, posting 10 goals and two assists, landing Big Ten Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten accolades.
On the international stage, Toye has competed for the United States at the U-19, U-20 and U-23 levels. He scored goals in each of his first two appearances for the U-23s, a 2-0 triumph over Japan in September 2019 and a 6-1 victory versus El Salvador the following month.
