Why Sporting Kansas City is a disaster under Peter Vermes

The three main drivers in Sporting Kansas City's struggles under Vermes are playing style, money and bad luck. 

Vermes is known for a high defensive press and active, physically demanding tactics. Many in MLS joke that he was running Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool gegenpress long before Klopp was, but a high press requires young players with the ability to work tirelessly for a full 90 minutes. 

Vermes, however, has veterans Graham Zusi, Tim Melia and Roger Espinoza serving in key roles. Each is 36 years old, and in Vermes' demanding scheme, older players struggle to keep up. Seven of Sporting Kansas City's 11 conceded goals this season have come in the second half, when legs are heavy and high pressing is more difficult.

With Vermes 100% committed to his style, Sporting Kansas City has two options to change its fortunes: fire the coach or get new players. Vermes's long-term status with Sporting Kansas City means he's unlikely to get fired so it must be the players who make way. 

Sporting Kansas City, however, isn't flush with cash, so signing better players is not an option now. The team already spent millions on offensive-oriented players such as Alan Pulido and Gadi Kinda, both of whom missed the 2022 season with injuries.

Vermes has been tight-lipped most of the season, often limiting his interactions with the media, but he took a few moments to speak with The Athletic after Sporting Kansas City's recent 3-0 loss to San Jose.

"The guys didn't walk into the game feeling sorry for themselves, and that's a good thing," he said. "We have got to try to keep that mentality. You can turn things around, and I believe that these guys can."

On Saturday, Vermes and Sporting Kansas City will play at lowly Montreal, which is tied for last in the  Eastern Conference. The game won't determine much beyond which team is the worst in the league, but with its numerous on-field struggles, a loss for Sporting Kansas City could break the team for good.