On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Sporting Kansas City, coach Peter Vermes part ways after two decades together
Sporting Kansas City and long-tenured coach Peter Vermes have mutually agreed to part ways.
The decision comes just six games into the 2025 Major League Soccer season. Vermes' Kansas City finds itself in last place in the league with one point to its name and a cumulative goal difference of -6, shouldering a 13-game winless streak that stretches back to the end of the 2024 season.
Vermes joined Kansas City in 2006 as the club's technical director and took over its head-coaching job in 2009. His 15 seasons of service made him the longest-tenured active coach in MLS and the fourth longest-tenured active coach in world soccer.
"It would be hard to list all of the people I want to thank after 20 seasons in managerial positions at Sporting Kansas City," Vermes said in a statement. "I am thankful to everyone, especially ownership for giving me the opportunity of being a steward of this club for the past two decades. I wish the club nothing but the best in the future."
Vermes leaves quite the legacy behind — he led Kansas City to one MLS Cup victory, three U. S. Open Cup victories and 11 playoff appearances during his tenure. He signed some of the club's all-time greats, from former USMNT stars like Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber to active MLS legends like Daniel Salloi and Kei Kamara, and he inspired a new generation of American soccer coaches.
But while Vermes will be remembered favorably, it was unquestionably his time to leave. Kansas City has struggled mightily in recent seasons, and its rough start in 2025 was simply one indignity too many for its longtime fans. The KC Cauldron and the South Stand, two of Kansas City's most influential supporter groups, publicly called for Vermes' resignation hours before news of his departure became official.
Kansas City's challenges this season are real, but there's impressive talent lurking within the squad that could turn the club's season around.
Multi-million dollar striker Dejan Joveljic — an ex-L.A. Galaxy player who scored the winning goal in the 2024 MLS Cup final — arrived during the winter and has yet to find his form. Spanish midfielder Manu Garcia is in a similar boat. The club's goalkeeping and defense remain weak, but MLS' transfer window won't close until the end of April, so reinforcement signings are possible.
With investment, patience and a careful tactical re-think, this Kansas City side could turn into an outside threat for the Western Conference playoff spots.
These changes will fall on the shoulders of Kerry Zavagnin, an ex-Kansas City player and former assistant coach to Vermes. Zavagnin will take over the reins as interim coach while the Kansas City board shops around for a full-time backfill for Vermes. Zavagnin has his work cut out for him: His first game in charge will be a highly-charged derby against local rival St. Louis City SC.
As for Vermes? He'd be welcomed with open arms by several beleaguered MLS clubs, most of whom have the utmost respect for his integrity and longevity. But even if he never works in MLS again, Vermes will go down history as one of the league's undisputed greats.
It was his time to leave, but his two decades with Kansas City were far from a failure.
More must-reads:
- Luciano Acosta, Leo Chu help FC Dallas beat hapless Sporting KC
- Deck stacked against hapless Montreal in MLS
- The 'NFL mascot names' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Sunderland Staff Growing Frustrated With Lack of Transfers, Suggests Sky Sports Man
Inside Sunderland, there is growing frustration about the club's transfer activity, according to a Sky Sports journalist. Keith Downie spoke on Roker Report's Ha'way The Podcast and shared insights about the current situation at the Stadium of Light club. The mentioned reporter believes the collapsed signing of Sassuolo forward Armand Lauriente (26) sat very badly with Regis Le Bris, since the Frenchman doesn't want to give fans the image that they will start the season with the squad as it currently stands. Additionally, Downie commented that he expects Sunderland to finalize three or four more signings, bringing the total to 11 or 12 hires. Sunderland staff growing frustrated with lack of transfers, suggests Sky Sports man "I just feel there's frustration from Regis because he doesn't want fans thinking this is what we're going to start the season with. It is going to be different," began explaining Downie, in statements transcribed by the Sunderland Echo. "There has been a bit of a vacuum over the last three or four weeks where you haven't really added anyone, because the Lauriente deal fell through, until Xhaka arrived," the journalist added. "I would expect a little bit more of a flurry. Three or four more players before the end of the window, which should be exciting for you guys to see," he concluded. Recently, Sunderland have been linked with various forwards, such as Galatasaray's Baris Alper Yilmaz (25) or Leverkusen's Amine Adli (25). In recent hours, there also emerged a rumor about supposed interest from the Black Cats in RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda (25), but this was directly denied by Le Bris, who categorized this information as "false". Read More:
Familiar face gets attention in Packers training camp: ‘I always wanted to be back’
The Green Bay Packers have decisions to make soon, with the 53-man roster cut deadline on the horizon. Among those hoping to make it to Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season on the team’s main roster is tight end John FitzPatrick, who reunited with the Packers after signing a one-year contract worth $1.5M in April. Green Bay initially signed him to the active roster in 2024 following a practice squad stint with the Atlanta Falcons. He played nine games for the Packers in the 2024 NFL campaign, but did not produce significantly on the field, having also seen just 32% of offensive snaps. He had a catch on a single target for two receiving yards last season. TE loving his Green Bay Packers comeback Competing for a spot behind Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave, the 25-year-old FitzPatrick had his moments on the field on Friday with a sliding catch from a Malik Willis pass before scoring a touchdown. FitzPatrick is not hiding his true feelings about being back with Green Bay, as he continues to prove himself to the team. “I always wanted to be back here,” FitzPatrick said, per Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers’ official website. “I really love it here. I love the people here. When the opportunity presented itself, it was really a no-brainer. It was nice just being able to go through the whole offseason program. The OTAs and the lifting, all the meetings and practices, I think has just helped me a ton.” FitzPatrick entered the pros in 2022, when the Falcons took him off the board in the sixth round (213th overall) of the NFL draft.
Brock Lesnar makes shocking return at WWE SummerSlam
It's feeling like 2012 all over again. SummerSlam 2025 ended with shock and nostalgia when Brock Lesnar returned unannounced and dropped John Cena with a thunderous F5, just as Cena was addressing the crowd during his retirement tour. The moment felt poetic, mirroring the night after WrestleMania 28 in 2012, when Lesnar returned to WWE for the first time in eight years and F5’d Cena, launching a brutal and unforgettable rivalry. This attack wasn’t just for show. With Cena’s farewell tour expected to end in December, the timing of Lesnar’s return feels intentional. WWE is known for delivering emotional, high-stakes finales for its legends and this could be the setup for one last epic clash between two of the most iconic figures in company history. Their rivalry has always delivered, from their battles in 2012–14 to the infamous “Suplex City” beatdown at SummerSlam 2014. Now, with both men nearing the end of their in-ring careers, fans may be getting a final chapter in this storied feud. Whether it culminates at the Royal Rumble or on the grandest stage of them all at WrestleMania 41, the anticipation is real. Lesnar has been off WWE TV for nearly a year, making this return even more impactful. For Cena, who has been embracing his final run with open arms, a showdown with Lesnar is a fitting, full-circle moment. It’s the kind of storytelling WWE thrives on — legacy vs. legacy, pride vs. redemption.
For starters, Mets need more innings with Guardians up next
Sean Manaea has yet to exceed five innings or 86 pitches in any of his four starts this season. For the New York Mets, there's no better time for Manaea to change that trend than Monday night. The left-hander will attempt to provide some much-needed length when the Mets open a three-game series against the visiting Cleveland Guardians. Manaea (1-1, 2.08 ERA) is slated to oppose Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi (5-7, 3.77). Both teams lost on Sunday afternoon. The Mets suffered a 12-4 defeat to the visiting San Francisco Giants in the rubber game of a three-game series. A ninth-inning comeback bid fell short for the host Guardians, who missed a chance to complete a three-game sweep by falling to the Minnesota Twins 5-4. Starter Frankie Montas gave up seven runs over four innings for the Mets, who haven't had a starter other than David Peterson pitch at least six innings since Clay Holmes tossed six innings in an 8-1 win at the Colorado Rockies on June 7. In that span, the Mets have lost Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill and Kodai Senga to injuries, though Senga returned July 11. Senga, Montas and Manaea have all been on pitch counts for several weeks. Montas (lat) and Manaea (oblique, elbow) each missed most of the first half. The Mets got five innings of two-run ball from their revamped bullpen after Senga lasted four innings Saturday, but manager Carlos Mendoza went to mop-up man Austin Warren with New York down 7-1 in the fifth on Sunday. "It starts with starting pitching," Mendoza said. "We were able to match up (Saturday), ended up winning the game. But back-to-back games, that's almost impossible." Taking two of three from the Twins served as an encouraging sign for the Guardians, who tried threading the needle between selling and still attempting to mount a postseason run at Thursday's trade deadline. While the Guardians dealt former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber and reliever Paul Sewald, they held on to All-Star leadoff hitter Steven Kwan as well as popular veteran presence Carlos Santana. Even with Sunday's defeat, Cleveland is 16-7 since July 7 -- a span in which they lost closer Emmanuel Clase to the restricted list. Clase and starting pitcher Luis Ortiz, who was placed on the restricted list on July 3, are each the subject of gambling investigations by Major League Baseball. The Guardians enter Monday three games behind the Seattle Mariners in the race for the final American League wild-card playoff spot. "There are a lot of different considerations that we had to weigh around this time of year -- the unexpected developments recently were certainly one of them," Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Thursday. "But in the end, I think we feel good about the roster that we have for the balance of 2025 and are excited about our future." Manaea didn't factor into the decision in his most recent start last Tuesday, when he gave up one run over five innings as the Mets fell to the host San Diego Padres 7-1. Cecconi also didn't receive a decision in his most recent start July 28 after allowing three runs over seven innings in the Guardians' 8-6 loss to the visiting Colorado Rockies. Manaea is 3-1 with a 2.94 ERA in 33 2/3 innings over six career starts against the Guardians. Cecconi didn't factor into the decision in his lone previous appearance against the Mets on June 1, 2024, when he allowed one run, five hits and no walks with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings as the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a 10-5 road win.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
