Two areas Sporting Kansas City must strengthen in the summer transfer window

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner, which means Major League Soccer will take a break from May 25 until July 16. After Sporting Kansas City’s match against the New York Red Bulls at Sporting Park on Saturday, the club will get some time away from competitive action. In reality, though, this will be less of a vacation and more of a boot camp before the second half of the MLS season begins.

As it stands, Sporting KC has taken 11 points from 13 games and sits 29th out of 30 teams in MLS. Those numbers are grim, but recent performances offer some encouragement. Sporting KC is unbeaten in three of its last four matches, including back-to-back wins over the LA Galaxy and Austin FC. There is progress, and there is reason for optimism, but making the playoffs remains an uphill climb.

The good news is that Sporting KC will have 20 games remaining after the break. The bad news is that there is virtually no margin for error in a brutally competitive Western Conference.

It is safe to say that Sporting Kansas City general manager David Lee has significant work to do in the summer transfer window. Players will be available. Convincing them to move to Kansas City is the more difficult challenge.

Central midfield still needs a true No. 6

This is a loaded discussion because, based on some performances this season, every position could be upgraded. However, the two most pressing needs are central midfield and striker.

Head coach Raphael Wicky has finally settled on a 4-4-2 and embraced a counterattacking approach. For much of the season, Wicky appeared reluctant to simplify matters, often trying to match opponents tactically rather than imposing a clear identity. The recent shift has allowed Sporting KC to play more direct, collecting seven points from the last 12 available.

Sporting Kansas City signed Lasse Berg Johnsen during the winter transfer window, and the Norwegian has been an essential addition. He has controlled games from midfield and dictated the tempo. Zorhan Bassong has partnered him in recent matches, providing energy, defensive coverage, and ball-winning ability.

The problem is that neither player is a long-term solution as a dedicated No. 6. Johnsen is more naturally a No. 8 who can fill in deeper, while Bassong offers valuable versatility but has barely played this season because of injury concerns. Right now, it feels like Bassong could be just one stretched leg away from re-aggravating the injury.

Manu Garcia is at his best as a creator, a No. 10, not as a ball-winner, and Jacob Bartlett is still developing. The jury is still debating what Bartlett’s best position is or whether he should even be on the pitch. Sporting KC remains short of a true defensive midfielder capable of shielding the back line and allowing the club’s more creative players to thrive.

The No. 6 is a position Sporting Kansas City tried to address previously. Juljan Shehu was on the Sporting KC shopping list during the winter, but the Albanian remained in Poland playing for Widzew Lodz.

Sporting KC needs another striker

Sporting began the preseason with Dejan Joveljic and Daniel Salloi as its primary striking options. Salloi was sold to Toronto FC, and Taylor Calheira arrived from FC Tulsa. Wicky has also used Garcia and Calvin Harris in striker roles when needed.

Another striker is essential if Sporting Kansas City is serious about making a playoff push. Joveljic has been outstanding, recording six goals and one assist in 13 games. He has been directly involved in 50% of Sporting KC’s goals this season.

That level of dependence is risky. Harris, Capita, and Garcia have contributed in recent weeks, but the attack still revolves around Joveljic. Calheira has worked hard and performed admirably, yet he has not looked like a consistent MLS goal scorer. Is Calheira up to the MLS level? Like Bartlett, the jury is still debating.

A new striker would provide Wicky with tactical flexibility and create genuine competition for places. Increased competition has already helped spark Sporting KC’s recent improvement.

Whether Sporting Kansas City can sign a high-quality No. 6 and No. 9 remains to be seen. Attracting players to Kansas City is not an easy sell when the club sits 29th in MLS and is at risk of missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season—something that has never happened in club history.

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