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  • Emergency Pod: Wicky Fired & SKC Roster Moves

    Emergency Pod: Wicky Fired & SKC Roster Moves
    2026/11/11
    It's a midweek podcast, so you know what that means – Emergency Pod!Sporting Kansas City made waves multiple times this week. First, on Monday they dropped the axe and fired head coach Raphael Wicky after just 10 months on the job. Was it too soon? Not soon enough? What comes next on the Sporting KC sideline? Sheena and I work through our thoughts on the move.Sadly, when someone loses their job, there are others that get taken down with them. Assistants Edu Rubio and Ash Wallace are also without jobs. And kitman, Mike Flaherty is also leaving Sporting KC.The team made slightly smaller waves today when they also announced their post-season roster moves. Out are John Pulskamp, Stephen Afrifa, Ethan Bartlow and Shapi Suleymanov. The team picked up options of varying lengths for Jansen Miller, Justin Reynolds, Wyatt Meyer and Jayden Reid. Goalkeeper Ryan Schewe remains in limbo while he's on loan.We analyze what is surprising and what was expected from these moves and why so many defenders from a team that allowed a league-record 81 goals are still on the roster.There was also other Sporting KC news around the SKC II roster, team awards announcements, no Leagues Cup for SKC in 2027 and Zorhan Bassong heading to international duty with Canada. The MLS offseason calendar has a bit of a gap until the next moment, but David Lee is addressing the media Wednesday, so that'll likely give us a lot more news around the coach and roster.The Kansas City Current were mostly absent from the show, besides the news of their playoff game being finalized against Gotham, but we'll be back next time to talk about them hopefully going to the NWSL Championship!In the Digital Crawl, we hit a few topics, including:The MLS coaching carouseland CF Montreal possibly relocating and definitely being for saleHere is a rundown of sections and start times:Intro - 0:00Sporting KC - 1:42KC Current - Next time!Digital Crawl - 1:09:13Upcoming GamesUMKC Roos vs. St. Thomas, WED, Nov 11th at 6:00PM CT (Finals on the weekend)KC Current @ Gotham, SUN, Nov 15th at 2:00PM USMNT vs Haiti (Nations League)Road: SAT, Nov 14th at 3:30PMHome: TUE, Nov 17th at 6:00PMYouth USA National Team Games:US U-20s vs. Japan (Ruben Ramos Jr.), THUR at 7PM (YouTube)US U-17s vs Canada (Sam Worcester), SAT at 10AM (FIFA+)US U-19s vs. Jordan (Jack Kortkamp), SAT at 7AMUS U-20s vs. Colombia (Ruben Ramos Jr.), SAT at 6PM (YouTube)Zorhan Bassong (Canada) vs. Guatemala - Nations League, FRI at 8PMMLS International Break before the PlayoffsAs a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.
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    1 時間 23 分
  • SKC Avoid the Wooden Spoon: Immediate Reactions

    SKC Avoid the Wooden Spoon: Immediate Reactions
    2026/11/08
    For the Glory KC is back with the 203rd episode of the show!Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, check out Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10! Or support us with our other referral links. Sporting Kansas City did it! They avoided finishing dead last. The only original MLS team to avoid that distinction for now 31 seasons and counting. It's weird to be happy about being 29th in the standings, but it's the little things. We decided to go After Dark style with our immediate reactions to the "high" of coming in 29th.Before Sporting KC even took the field, they needed CF Montreal to lose. And they did. Again. Thankfully the Vancouver Whitecaps dispatched them fairly easily, though it was touch and go before the Caps poured it on. Then the weight was on Sporting KC to get the job done. They needed to win a game, something they had failed to do in their previous seven tries. But on the back of an Andre Luiz drawn and converted PK, the defense held on for a shutout and San Diego FC lost 1-0 in their home stadium.Sheena and I talk through some milestones, moments from the game that went well and were a bit sketchy, including the new partnership between Owen Wolff and Lasse Berg Johnsen, Taylor Calheira's early injury, Justin Reynolds late heroics and so many missed chances!The conversation weaved between the game and the season on the whole. Sporting KC still ended up with the most goals allowed in league history, but they avoided the worst goal differential. That naturally led to a conversation about guys who should and shouldn't be here and a coach that may still be out of a job, but we were divided on Rapha Wicky.The Kansas City Current pulled off something they couldn't in 2025. They won a playoff game. It wasn't without controversy. The game winning goal came on a penalty kick that is probably a foul, but one that often goes uncalled. And that wasn't the only controversial decision. Angel City FC fans were up in arms about missed penalties, primarily the possible DiBernardo handball. However, they should probably be more upset about a play the broadcast didn't even replay. Regardless, KC advance to face the winner of Gotham FC and the Seattle Reign.Give the show a listen and we'll dive into these topics and of course go off topic since it's For the Glory KC After Dark!In the Digital Crawl, we hit two more topics:College Soccer and a very weird voteMLS Cup Playoffs and hate watchingHere is a rundown of sections and start times:Intro - 0:00Sporting KC - 1:29KC Current - 1:03:01Digital Crawl - 1:30:46Upcoming GamesUMKC Roos vs. St. Thomas, WED, Nov 11th at 6:00PM CT (Finals on the weekend)KC Current vs. winner of Gotham/SeattleUSMNT vs Haiti (Nations League)MLS goes into an international break before the playoffsAs a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.
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    1 時間 47 分
  • Sporting KC's Wicky Says It's Not a Tactics or System Problem

    Sporting KC's Wicky Says It's Not a Tactics or System Problem
    2026/11/02
    For the Glory KC is back with the 202nd episode of the show!Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, check out Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10! Or support us with our other referral links. Sporting Kansas City managed to only pick up one point in a three-game in eight-day stretch. They blew a lead on Wednesday on the road at Minnesota United. Taylor Calheira put the team up early on what was one of the few moments of first half offense. Then, as has been the case all season, Sporting KC collapsed with two goals in four minutes to lose (plus a third in a 16-minute stretch). SKC also set a record for futility giving up more goals in a season than any team in MLS history.Sheena and I break down the good, bad and ugly from that game, including the post-game press conference with Rapha Wicky, where he said, “I don't think the system is a problem. I don’t think it’s a tactical problem." Hard disagree. Things went a little better at the home finale where Sporting KC fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas, who are way up in second place in the Western Conference. It came down to a penalty kick save by Stefan Cleveland after a questionable handball call on Jansen Miller.It wasn't the only bad officiating on the night. There was a possible missed DOGSO on Dallas and two horrible challenges suffered by Jacob Bartlett, including this one where he gets a yellow despite winning the ball and Romero missing it and crushing him.And frankly, I can't believe this second challenge isn't a red. The force is ridiculous and Bartlett is probably done for the year and out for the finale in San Diego.Speaking of San Diego, Sporting KC remain alive to avoid the Wooden Spoon if everything goes right on Saturday. CF Montreal need to lose at home to the Vancouver Whitecaps and SKC need to win in Cali. That, plus news on Erik Palmer-Brown, Zamir Loyo Reynaga, SKC II's potential move to Iowa and the 2027 Sprint Season schedule is out!The Kansas City Current ended their season strong with their fifth straight win. They are the hottest team in the NWSL and did what they were supposed to in their 2-0 victory over Racing Louisville on the road. That sets them up for a home playoff game against Ally Sentnor and Angel City FC this coming Saturday.In the Digital Crawl, we touch on a couple more topics:A confusing new tournament from the MASL for women, despite having a women's league, none of those teams are in it, including the AstrasUMKC will host the Summit League Tourney semifinal and finalKansas City World Cup dataand the US U-17 Women knock off Spain before losing to North KoreaHere is a rundown of sections and start times:Intro - 0:00Sporting KC - 7:47KC Current - 1:09:46Digital Crawl - 1:15:57Upcoming GamesKC Current vs. Angel City, SAT, Nov 7th at 11AM CTSporting KC @ San Diego FC, SAT, Nov 7th at 6:00PM (Decision Day)As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.
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    1 時間 29 分
  • Square Pegs in Round Holes for Sporting KC

    Square Pegs in Round Holes for Sporting KC
    2026/10/27
    For the Glory KC is back with the 201st episode of the show!Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, check out Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10! Or support us with our other referral links. Sporting Kansas City inches closer to unwanted history after a 2-1 loss to Austin FC, while the KC Current lock up an NWSL playoff berth.Another second-half collapse has Sporting KC standing on the precipice of an all-time low. Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Austin FC pushed the club to 77 goals conceded on the year, just one shy of matching the MLS single-season record set by the San Jose Earthquakes in 2024. Stephen Afrifa provided the lone bright spot with his goal, but even he failed to score two more golden opportunities. On the other end of the pitch, calamitous defending and tactical paralysis ultimately unraveled the night. On the latest episode of For the Glory KC, we break down why manager Rapha Wicky refuses to adjust his system to his personnel, debate whether nineteen-year-old Ian James needs to start down the stretch and look at what Afrifa said postgame about his contract status.We also dive into the front office restructuring with three major executive hires from European soccer and rugby, check in on the Wooden Spoon standings, and highlight a couple standout podcast from around the KC soccer community. And there are Ilie Sanchez, Johnny Russell, Tim Melia, Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber sightings and/or news!Across the river, the mood was far more celebratory. The Kansas City Current punched their postseason ticket before kicking a ball on Sunday, then punctuated the weekend with a gritty 2-1 comeback win over the Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium. Vanessa DiBernardo provided the game-winner off a record-setting setup from Croix Bethune, who officially broke the NWSL single-season assist record with her eleventh helper. We run through the postseason seeding race heading into Decision Day, dissect the disputed attendance numbers, and round up league-wide off-field news.In the Digital Crawl, we touch on a couple more topics:Nashville SC locking up the Supporter's ShieldThe US are looking to hose the first ever Women's Club World Cup in 2028The UMKC Roos win the Summit Leagueand the Ballon d'or results are inHere is a rundown of sections and start times:Intro - 0:00Sporting KC - 7:09KC Current - 1:09:31Digital Crawl - 1:36:25Upcoming GamesSporting KC @ Minnesota United, WED, Oct 28 at 7:30PMSporting KC vs. FC Dallas, SAT, Oct 31 at 2:00PMKC Current @ Racing Louisville, SUN, Nov 1 at 1:00PM (Decision Day)As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.
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    1 時間 48 分
  • Episode 200: Roster Moves, Hair Talk, Wicky Out? KC Current get Hot!

    Episode 200: Roster Moves, Hair Talk, Wicky Out? KC Current get Hot!
    2026/10/21
    For the Glory KC is back with the 200th episode of the show!Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, check out Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10! Or support us with other referral links. ---Sporting Kansas City had an atrocious week, so we shift the beginning of the focus of the podcast to it being our 200th episode instead. We have a mailbag, including questions about our favorite memories, Z-Man sandwiches, a mini-version of who we would keep or get rid of the nine players out of contract and Sheena goes wild ranking Sporting KC's best all-time hair styles. I give a little inside information from the KC Cauldron's Hot Ones event with surprise (non-wing-eating) guest, David Lee. First, he took accountability, then he shared some news about hires he's made and where the roster moves will be focused. Unfortunately, we do have to discuss the back-to-back losses to Nashville SC and Real Salt Lake, but it mostly turns into a rant about Rapha Wicky and his plan. He has one, right? That segued perfectly into the Wooden Spoon update, which is getting quite grim. Plus, news on Owen Wolff and former SKC player Mikey Lopez.Thankfully the KC Current are playing their best soccer of the year at the absolute right time, with just two games to go before the playoffs. They went on the road and beat the Utah Royals 2-0 to move into one of the home playoff positions. Two critical games to go. In the Digital Crawl, we touch on a couple more topics:NWSL and USL Super League in one tournamentUSWNT have a come from behind drawKC Comets signingTragedy in Wichita's soccer communityHere is a rundown of sections and start times:Intro - 0:00Sporting KC - 6:59KC Current - 1:50:39Digital Crawl - 2:03:12Upcoming GamesSt. Louis City at Columbus Crew, WED, Oct 21 @ 7:00PM Sporting KC vs. Austin FC, SAT, Oct 24 @ 7:30PMUS U17s vs. China U17s, SUN, Oct 25 @ 1:00PMKC Current vs. Washington Spirit, SUN, Oct 25 @ 4:00PMNOTE: Apologies for any technical issues on this episode. Sheena is still sick and coughed a ton, I edited out a bunch of them, but certainly probably missed some or it would have never come out. Also, our recording platform experienced difficulties. Hopefully #200 wasn't ruined for you over the problems!As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.
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    2 時間 13 分
  • Papering Over Cracks or Signs of Life? Breaking Down Sporting KC’s 3-3 Comeback

    Papering Over Cracks or Signs of Life? Breaking Down Sporting KC’s 3-3 Comeback
    2026/10/12

    For the Glory KC is back with the 199th episode of the show!

    Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, we talked at the start of the episode about Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10!

    Sporting Kansas City pull off a comeback draw that almost felt like a win on Saturday night. After falling down 3-1 to the Portland Timbers, a three-minute burst saw goals from Justin Reynolds and Andre Luiz level things up before Sporting KC limped to the finish line to hold on to the draw.

    Sheena and I break down the happenings from the game all the way from the lineup changes (and injury updates) to the performances of Andre Luiz (duh!), Jansen Miller, Emir Karic, Taylor Calheira, Kwaku Agyabeng and more. And Sheena wants you to watch this video.

    We also do our weekly Wooden Spoon update, where SKC are now just two points behind CF Montreal. All the teams around Sporting KC faltered in the standings, but KC only made up a point. The Columbus Crew, Atlanta United and D.C. United, joined Montreal in losing with only Minnesota United earning a point.

    In other Sporting KC news, Peter Mallouk gave an interview to the KCBJ, providing a small look behind the curtain of the rebuild. SKC are also rumored to be hiring Sebastian Stein from Eintracht Frankfurt. He was their top scout. And Sporting KC II have a bit more news on their potential move to Des Moines.

    The KC Current had the week off, but there were a couple small stories around the team worth a mention, including Michelle Cooper getting on the field at right back for the USWNT against Spain in a 2-0 loss.

    In the Digital Crawl, we hit a couple more topics:

    • USMNT win again
    • NWSL Expansion

    Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

    • Intro - 0:00
    • Sporting KC - 11:46
    • KC Current - 1:05:54
    • Digital Crawl - 1:08:55

    Upcoming Games

    • USWNT vs. Spain, TUES, Oct 13th at 6:00PM CST
    • Sporting KC @ Nashville, WED, Oct 14th at 7:30PM
    • KC Current @ Utah Royals, SAT, Oct 17th at 5:30PM
    • Sporting KC vs RSL, SAT, Oct 17th at 7:30PM

    As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

    Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.

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    1 時間 16 分
  • Blown Leads and Bobbleheads: Sporting KC Fades as the Current Roll

    Blown Leads and Bobbleheads: Sporting KC Fades as the Current Roll
    2026/10/05

    For the Glory KC is back with the 198th episode of the show!

    Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, we talked at the start of the episode about Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10!

    ***

    Sporting Kansas City win one and then lose one. This time, in unlucky and quite painfully late fashion. On a road trip to the Seattle Sounders, they got out ahead early on yet another Andre Luiz goal only to let that lead melt away. Was Rapha Wicky out coached or did he just have nothing to work with? Sporting KC are decimated with injuries, and they still nearly got a road point.

    But when you are ahead to start, you sure want to win. It was that mystical game in hand against CF Montreal, and they let it slip away. Now all the teams around them have seven games to go and they still have three points to make up to climb out of the basement.

    Sheena and I talked through the beats of the game and the unfortunate Lasse Berg Johnsen injury and what the team will do without him. Will Zorhan Bassong be healthy enough to play? If not, who does? Jacob Bartlett seems to be available, but there is no one else, so are any SKC II players still around that might come up on short-term loan? And who will be the captain with no Lasse and Bassong perhaps not 90 minutes fit?

    For the second straight game, the KC Current came from behind and earned a big win. This time, it was a 5-1 shellacking of Bay FC and former teammates Claire Hutton, Alex Pfeiffer and Jordan Silkowitz. The fans welcomed the old players back, but it was a tough result for the already eliminated Northern California side. We talk the "tush push" goal from Haley Hopkins, the Debinha hattrick and that delightful bobblehead celebration and lots of international call-up news. Will Temwa Chawinga be back in time for the critical game against the Utah Royals?

    In the Digital Crawl, we hit one more topic:

    • USMNT win twice!

    Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

    • Intro - 0:00
    • Sporting KC - 9:25
    • KC Current - 33:19
    • Digital Crawl - 47:31

    Upcoming Games

    • USMNT vs. Canada, TUES, Oct 6th at 7:00PM CST
    • USWNT vs. Spain, SAT, Oct 10th at 1:30PM
    • Sporting KC vs. Portland Timbers, SAT, Oct 10th at 7:30PM
    • KC Current have a break

    As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

    Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.

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    58 分
  • A Red Card, Clean Sheet and Andre Luiz!

    A Red Card, Clean Sheet and Andre Luiz!
    2026/09/29
    For the Glory KC is back with the 197th episode of the show!Before we get to the podcast, if you'd like to support us, we talked at the start of the episode about Upside. It's an app you can use to buy gas, eat out and in some cities buy groceries and get cash back for buying what you are going to buy anyways. If you want to support the podcast by doing what you are already doing, join Upside with our affiliate link. You get $10 and we get $10!Sporting Kansas City bounced back in a big way after their disappointing loss last weekend to go on the road and beat the 2nd place team in the Western Conference. The Houston Dynamo fell 2-0 securing Sporting KC their first shutout of the year, one that was assisted by a Hector Herrera red card. Now can they do it with all 11 guys on the opposing team staying on the field? They have eight games to find out.Andre Luiz once again stole the show. He got the game winning goal and provided an assist to Calvin Harris for an insurance goal before the Dynamo self-destructed before halftime. Despite the lead and being up a man, it was quite debatable who played better in the second half. Houston definitely saw more of the ball and took more shots.Sheena and I discuss all of that, plus takes on Ben Olsen and his attire and other off topic nonsense you come to For the Glory KC for (or press fast forward during).The win kept Sporting KC on pace with CF Montreal, who also won. The Wooden Spoon won't be decided yet but at least SKC remain in striking distance of climbing out of the basement.In other SKC news, Capita Capemba's return will be delayed due to some rules we explain on the podcast. Also, fines were handed out for the Philadelphia Union and Sporting KC dust up a week ago. There is also a rumor that SKC II may be on the move in the coming years to Des Moines, Iowa. And former SKC coach Zoran Savic is being countersued by the team after his multimillion-dollar lawsuit.Back in Kansas City, the KC Current also found a way to win, despite going down 1-0 early. They welcomed expansion side the Denver Summit to town and sent them packing after a 4-1 win that included a Haley Hopkins hattrick. What a weekend for Kansas City soccer!In the Digital Crawl, we hit a few more topics:SKC II win!USMNT win!KC Comets updatesHere is a rundown of sections and start times:Intro - 0:00Sporting KC - 8:19KC Current - 52:31Digital Crawl - 1:01:08Upcoming GamesUSMNT vs. Chile, TUES, Sept 29th @ 7:00PM CST (St. Louis)Sporting KC @ Seattle Sounders, THUR, Oct 1st @ 8:30PM CSTKC Current vs. Bay FC, SAT, Oct 3rd @ 5:30PMUSMNT vs. Mexico, SAT, Oct 3rd @ 9:00PM (Arizona)As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.
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    1 時間 9 分