KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Sporting Kansas City have never expected summer acquisitions to make an immediate impact.
But with the roster thinned by a pair of season-ending injuries and midfielder Peterson Joseph's mystery illness – and with CONCACAF Champions League play looming in late summer and early fall in addition to the league schedule - that's likely to change this summer.
This time, manager Peter Vermes said, Sporting are hoping to sign quick studies for their system.
“I always say there's an adaptation period for every player, but certain guys are faster than others,” Vermes told MLSsoccer.com on Thursday. “Look at Igor [Julião, defender]. He's come a long way in a short period of time, so there are players that can do it. We'll just see how it goes. We'll definitely make some headway in the summer window.”
Sporting's deepest losses have come in the backline, where center back Ike Opara and right back Chance Myers are both out for the season – Opara with a microfracture chondral defect in his right ankle and Myers with a torn left Achilles tendon. Myers underwent surgery on Wednesday after being hurt over the weekend in a 2-2 home draw with Toronto FC.
Joseph has not even trained since passing out in practice last fall, but Sporting have more midfielders available than defenders.
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Still, Vermes said Sporting weren't limiting their summer shopping to the back line.
A tweet earlier Thursday from team president Robb Heineman also didn't indicate any areas of interest but did portend significant activity during the transfer window.
Steve Brisendine covers Sporting Kansas City for MLSsoccer.com.
