As suspected, Ryan Smith won’t be returning to Kansas City. He will, however, be staying in MLS.
Sporting KC announced on Monday that they have traded Smith to Chivas USA for the Goat’s first- and third-round selections in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft. Unlike in previous years, the MLS SuperDraft will only consist of two rounds, meaning the selections equate to third and fifth round picks overall.
Smith, 25, played in six games (two starts, one goal) for Sporting KC in 2011 while attempting to battle back from offseason knee surgery. He returned to England in June for undisclosed family reasons and never returned to the team.
Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser will hope he can convince Smith to return to MLS and reignite the form that made him Kansas City’s top assist man in 2010. During that season, his first in the league, Smith scored three goals and contributed seven assists in 25 starts, exhibiting defense-stretching pace and the ability to beat defenders with the ball at his feet.
Smith began his professional career with Premier League powerhouse Arsenal before making stops at Leicester City, Derby County, Millwall, Southampton, Crystal Palace and, finally, Kansas City.
Andrew Wiebe covers Sporting Kansas City for MLSsoccer.com.
Follow@AndrewWiebeMLS
