Shapi’s early form turns him from afterthought into bright spot for Sporting KC

When Sporting Kansas City’s Mike Burns was offered Magomed-Shapi Suleymanov by Aris Thessaloniki before the 2025 MLS season, the club’s head of recruitment likely couldn’t believe his luck. He had gone to Aris to sign Spanish midfielder Manu Garcia. With talks going well for the transfer of Garcia, the chance to sign Shapi as part of the deal surfaced.

For a reported $2.6 million, Sporting KC were able to sign Shapi, a well-traveled wide attacking player, giving then-coach Peter Vermes another dynamic offensive option. Had Burns had time to mull over the deal, he may have reconsidered why Aris were eager to move the player.

Shapi had appeared in just 12 games during the 2024-25 season, scoring one goal and assisting another for Aris. It was a step backwards from the previous campaign, Shapi’s first with the Greek club, when he scored five goals and assisted four in 31 Greek Super League appearances.

A hot start that faded in 2025

After playing just six minutes in Sporting KC’s first match of the 2025 MLS season. Shapi started the team’s week 2 fixture, something he did consistently over the next few weeks. Between week 4 and week 13, Shapi recorded a goal and five assists, according to Transfermarkt – MLS assists differ depending on the website.

The Russian had set the bar high in the opening months of the season. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to raise the bar any further. In fact, the bar would slowly lower the rest of the campaign.

After week 13, Shapi scored just one more goal and assisted zero for the rest of the MLS regular season. After the hot start, it looked like Aris got the best of the transfer to sell Shapi to Sporting KC.

Opportunity through necessity in 2026

Thanks to Sporting KC’s lack of players to start the 2026 season, Shapi remained a major part of the squad. Head coach Raphael Wicky started preseason with just Stephen Afrifa, Calvin Harris, and Shapi has his wide attacking players. 

Shapi’s place in the team seemed to be safe by default. His preseason wasn’t spectacular and the same areas in which Shapi lacked a season ago were still apparent.

The team has signed Capita since then, although the Angolan hasn’t played. He should make his Sporting KC debut after the March international break.

Yet, five games into the 2026 MLS regular season, and Shapi has been one of Sporting KC’s best players. Shapi has started every MLS regular season match for the club, tallying 393 minutes – 78.6 minutes per game. He has played right wing, left wing, and as an attacking midfielder, showing versatility in Wicky’s fluid system.

On Saturday, in Sporting KC’s 4-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids, Shapi had his best performance, scoring a goal in the 44th minute thanks to a fantastic Harris through ball. Shapi’s first-time finish past Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen showed something the Russian hadn’t done previously – ruthlessly finishing a scoring opportunity.

The numbers behind the performances

While the winger has played well overall this season, his statistics, according to Fotmob, show a player who is underachieving compared to other attacking players in similar leagues around the globe.

Shapi has one goal based on an xG of 0.86. He is struggling to get into high-value scoring situations. He has tallied nine shots with three of those hitting the target. Those numbers reflect Sporting KC’s poor attacking metrics in 2026.

Sporting KC have the worst xG in all of MLS. The Wizards are ranked 30th with an xG of 3.8. The team have scored five goals this term. Sporting KC’s attacking metrics are all near the bottom of the 30-team league.

Fotmob’s player ratings for Sporting KC players after five matches has Shapi listed as No. 3. He’s just below Lasse Berg Johnsen and Garcia. Remarkably, Johnsen has played just two of the team’s five games.

Shapi has a successful pass rating of 89.2%, three chances created, a 66.7% dribble success rate, 53.1% of ground duels won, 80% of aerial duels won, and seven fouls won. The attacker nearly had an assist against the Rapids, having played a brilliant free-kick to Johnsen, who shot over the crossbar.

Shapi’s defensive metrics aren’t great, although Sporting KC’s lackluster rearguard has called him into the defensive third more and more. Against San Diego FC, Shapi was needed regularly to track back and attempt to win the ball. 

He has four interceptions, six clearances, and 18 ball recoveries, showing his need in defense. This, of course, limits Shapi’s ability to get forward, create more goals, and score goals.

What comes next for Shapi and Sporting KC?

The Russian is out of contract at the end of the 2026 MLS season. There is an option for at least one more season, but according to Transfermarkt, both the player and club must agree on the extension.

Shapi may have been a member of Sporting KC’s starting XI at the start of the season due to a lack of players at the club. However, his performances have warranted a place in the team even when Capita arrives. 

Whether this means a shift in formation and tactics, or another player being omitted, Shapi has a place in the team on merit for the time being.