Should Stephen Afrifa get more game time for Sporting KC?

Sporting KC’s attack hasn’t just been slow out of the gate; it’s been one of the least effective offenses in MLS. Seven total goals tells part of the story. The deeper issue is reliance: Dejan Joveljic has contributed to five of those goals, either scoring or assisting, making him the focal point of nearly everything positive in the final third.

The supporting cast hasn’t stepped up consistently. Calvin Harris, Shapi, Capita, and Stephen Afrifa have all had opportunities out wide, but none have fully seized control of being the go-to player needed.

The result is a dysfunctional attack that ranks near the bottom of the league in key metrics: expected goals (5.2, last in MLS), shots on target per match (2.8), and touches inside the opposition box.

The numbers raise a simple question: if the current formula isn’t working, why not change the players starting the games?

Stephen Afrifa and the case for more minutes

Among Sporting KC’s wide options, Stephen Afrifa arrives with the least hype of Raphael Wicky’s options, but arguably has the most intriguing statistical profile. In just 126 MLS minutes this season, he has recorded one assist while averaging only 18 minutes per appearance.

Small sample size? Absolutely. But the efficiency within that sample is difficult to ignore.

Afrifa leads Sporting KC in shots on target per 90 minutes (1.4) and successful dribbles per 90 (3.6). Those numbers point to a player actively trying to disrupt defenses, take on opponents, and create chances for himself or others.

His shot selection reinforces that intent. Both of his attempts this season were on target—one from inside the box against San Diego FC, the other from distance against the San Jose Earthquakes.

A system that isn’t maximizing its options

Wicky has largely stuck with a single-striker setup, supported by two wingers. On paper, that should provide width and service. In reality, it has produced isolation. Even when using a second striker, he has opted to use a central midfielder in the role.

An alternative approach would be pairing Joveljic with a second forward; and it could change the attack. Afrifa’s pace and willingness to run in behind defenses make him a natural candidate for that role. His most impactful moment this season came in transition against the LA Galaxy, where his forward run created space before delivering a precise cut-back assist for Lasse Berg Johnsen.

That sequence highlighted something Sporting KC showed in preseason (speed, verticality, and decisiveness) but not in the regular season.

Those moments remain isolated, largely because the opportunities are limited. Even in a 3–0 loss to Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the U.S. Open Cup, Afrifa was given just 14 minutes.

Investment, value, and missed opportunity

From a roster-building perspective, Afrifa represents low risk and potential upside. His reported salary of $104,000 is modest by MLS standards, especially for a player entering his prime at 24 years old.

His overall numbers—four goals and three assists in 43 appearances—don’t immediately demand a starting role. Afrifa has averaged roughly 25 minutes per game across four seasons, rarely given the continuity needed to develop as a professional player.

His 2024 campaign offered a glimpse of what’s possible: four goals and two assists in 24 appearances during a difficult season for the club. That output, while not elite, suggests a player capable of contributing when trusted with consistent minutes.

With his contract expiring in December 2026, Sporting KC faces a decision. Continue using him sparingly, or explore what he could become with a defined role.

The simplest solution might be the right one

Sporting KC’s attacking issues are not new. They existed last season and have become worse in 2026. The current rotation hasn’t produced results, and the underlying numbers reinforce that reality.

Stephen Afrifa isn’t a guaranteed fix. But with Shapi and Harris given their chances, and struggling currently to affect games positively, Afrifa deserves a chance to play more.

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