KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Ever since rumors of a move to England surfaced at midseason, Roger Espinoza has steadfastly put off talking about his future until Sporting Kansas City's season was over.
Now that the 2012 campaign is in the books, with Sporting eliminated by Houston in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Espinoza can acknowledge what others have said for months: Wigan Athletic have expressed interest in him since his star turn for Honduras at the London Olympics, and he'll listen to what they have to say.
However, the midfielder said, a move to the Premier League over the winter transfer window is far from a foregone conclusion.
“They have talked to my agent. Is there an offer out there? Not necessarily,” Espinoza told MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday, after Sporting beat the Dynamo 1-0 at home but came up short on a 2-1 aggregate. “Kansas City has made one. But other than that, I've still got to see my options – not only Wigan but what else is out there too.”
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The important thing, he said, is not to rush things for the sake of getting a deal done.
“I'll take some time, because I want to make the right decision,” Espinoza said. “I don't want to make a decision that one day is going to come back and haunt me. I want to think of what's best for me, what's best for my family, where I can succeed.”
And while that could yet be overseas, he said there is no doubt plying his trade in Kansas City has ushered in a good deal of personal and club success.
“I've been here five years and done very well, I think,” he said. “Every year, I keep getting better here. The owners, there's no question about how amazing they've been from the beginning. The players … there's a lot of future in this team, and I've got to think a lot about that.”
Espinoza's contract with Sporting runs through the end of the season, and manager Peter Vermes – also the club's technical director – said last month that Sporting have made a “very, very good offer” to keep the Honduran international in Kansas City.
“I've always said that Kansas City will be the first team I talk to,” Espinoza said. “I have a lot of respect for the club, my teammates, my coaches, and I haven't done anything outside of here. I didn't want to be in two situations at once.”
Steve Brisendine covers Sporting Kansas City for MLSsoccer.com.
