The Blue Testament: for Sporting KC fans

Latest Episodes:

Shades of Blue: Is Vermes Frustrated? Jan 23, 2021

Show notes

We kick off Season Four of the Shades of Blue Soccer Show with pressing topics like how to pronounce the word wash. Is there an 'r' in there somewhere? Is our nation's capitol in 'Warshington D.C'? Thad is always full of surprises.

It's a time for new beginnings in this world! Sporting Kansas City signed three new Homegrown Players and picked up two more in the MLS (not so) SuperDraft. But head coach Peter Vermes recently held a press conference and the updates weren't quite as optimistic as fans would have hoped at this point in the offseason.

Are Gerso Fernandes & Erik Hurtado gone? Will a deal get done with Felipe Gutierrez? PV just simply didn't inspire the same confidence we are used to hearing. Is he growing frustrated with his search to add players to the roster?

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Busio Business - Shades of Blue Dec 18, 2020

Show notes

Shades of Blue is back for the first offseason podcast and there is already plenty to talk about. A complete season wrap-up is coming soon, but first we talk rumors and renegotiations that are on the minds of Sporting Kansas City fans.

FC Barcelona have joined Bayern Munich, among other clubs, with interest in youngster Gianluca Busio. What league around the world best suits the 18-year-old? How much money is he actually worth? Is it possible he leaves for free like Erik Palmer-Brown? So many questions.

Sporting KC declined the option of their #10 Felipe Gutierrez, but he isn't gone just yet. The two sides are renegotiating the contract and we discuss the likelihood the Chilean will return for the 2021 season. Roger Espinoza is also in the same situation, although his contract had expired. This show is pretty confident a deal with get done for Roger, but what would the team look like without these two?

In other earth shattering news, the MLS Re-Entry draft took place and Sporting picked up a goalkeeper after declining the options of Eric Dick & Richard Sanchez.

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One Player Must Go - Shades of Blue Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

The ridiculous 2020 season has come to an end for Sporting Kansas City. But the SOB crew is here to help you work through those confusing feelings during this troubling time. There are plenty of positives we can choose to focus on and be hopeful for seasons to come.

Women's soccer is returning to KC! A show of their own is coming soon, but we briefly discuss the good news for the local soccer community.

The loss to Minnesota United FC became almost painful to watch. So we won't dwell on it, but there are points to discuss. The absence of Alan Pulido is on the minds of most SKC fans, the header from Roberto Puncec may have actually crossed the line but went mostly unchallenged, and Kansas City was undoubtedly missing the veteran experience of Matt Besler and Graham Zusi.

Peter Vermes and Co. need to make decisions on 15 players. Most of those decisions have already been made, but we won't hear official word just yet. That is a big number, but many fans would like to see turnover anyway. We look around at some of the options and players out of contract and decide who is on the chopping block.

Tough choices must be made. Who do you get rid of? Are you sticking with Daniel Salloi? Is it really time to move on from Matt Besler? Is Gerso worth his large salary?

Stay tuned as more podcasts are coming on this subject. News should not be too far away.

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Jimmy Nielsen - Shades of Blue Nov 26, 2020

Show notes

Fresh off of a legendary performance from one Sporting Kansas City keeper, another legendary shot-stopper joined the show this week. Jimmy Nieslen and the regular SOB crew play a new game, talk about the MLS Playoffs, and predict what is to come for SKC!

Thad came up with some SKC trivia for everyone in the aptly named Who's That Player?. The White Puma, unsurprisingly, was the winner. By far.

It's been such a wild season and it was great to hear about it from Jimmy's perspective has a player and coach. He's got some high praise for the players as well as the coaching staff for grinding through it. Everyone is feeling good about SKC chances this playoff run. The only question is who they'll host December 12th for the MLS Cup.

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First - Shades of Blue Nov 12, 2020

Show notes

Cody, Robert, and Thad were back at it again on Wednesday night to talk about Sporting Kansas City finishing on top of the Western Conference in what was the most strange season in league history.

Call it "by default" if you want, we're happy about first place. Am I supposed to feel sorry for Seattle Sounders fans? As Thad points out, even if not for points-per-game, SKC would have come out on top.

Noted rumor site, MLSSoccer.com, is just now reporting that Gadi Kinda's loan has been made permanent. The Blue Testament reported about this back in August. Is he permanent..... again? Or is MLSSoccer.com just slow?

The nominees for the end of the season awards in MLS are out. Peter Vermes is a notable absence from the Coach of the Year list. The 11th place to 1st place turnaround is the biggest in league history, but that isn't enough apparently.

Alan Pulido was the lone Sporting KC player on

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Stuck In Limbo - Shades of Blue Nov 06, 2020

Show notes

2020 is really kicking into high gear as we close it out. The election & political unrest loom. Alan Pulido is (rumored to be) injured again. And another Sporting Kansas City player has tested positive for COVID-19 just as an already confusing season is coming to a nail baiting close.

Cody, Robert, & Thad gather around their computers to try and make sense of everything. We don't, but we try.

Just when SKC was starting to look like an MLS Cup contender, Pulido is apparently injured again. Can they stay alive in the playoff race without him? Is Erik Hurtado still the preferred backup? Thad has some conspiracy theories for you on this one.

The team announced on Thursday that another first team Sporting KC player has tested positive for COVID-19. What does this mean, exactly? If SKC don't play another game, then they cannot be passed on PPG and would claim the Western Conference as their own. Did someone take one for the team?

And congrats to Wilson Harris on being named USL Young Player of the Year!

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Points Per Game - Shades of Blue Oct 30, 2020

Show notes

Major League Soccer has officially made points-per-game the determining factor for the playoffs this season. Peter Vermes wasn't happy in Friday's press conference, but what other option do they have? Things have changed a bit now, especially the playoff math. Cody & Thad look at what it will take for Sporting Kansas City to secure a home playoff game (and a buy) and set themselves up for a run at MLS Cup in this absurd, ridiculous, & unprecedented season. Minnesota United FC is coming to town on Sunday fresh off two straight wins, but SKC have a chance to lock down the spot that'll bring that sweet playoff atmosphere back to Children's Mercy Park.

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$10 Million Better - Shades of Blue Oct 25, 2020

Show notes

For far too long, matches like Sporting Kansas City's win over the Rapids would have ended differently. They would dominate opponents while the breakthrough goal would either take too long, or never come at all. But then the club spent $10 million on a lethal striker named Alan Pulido. And all of a sudden the team got way better.

It's almost like they are TEN MILLION DOLLARS better!

We saw goals from four different players in an all-around great performance last night vs the Colorado Rapids. Andreu Fontas came in clutch as a late replacement and not only helped secure the shutout, but got rewarded with a goal of his own. Gerso Fernandes reminded everyone what the #GerShow really is with an absolutely top class goal - and celebration to follow.

With the season ending surgery for Graham Zusi, there is really only one option left at right back. Jaylin Lindsey has been somewhat inconsistent this season, but looked very strong last night. If he continues to play like that with the rest of the back line, Sporting will be a contender for MLS Cup.

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No Complaining - Shades of Blue Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

Daniel Sperry joins Cody & Thad to be very mature and professional about Sporting Kansas City's last two incredibly frustrating matches. Now is not the time to focus on poor referring, bad luck, and Graham Zusi's season ending surgery. Nor how it felt like getting punched in the face. Nor where SKC could be in the Western Conference standings right now.

We would never.

In stead, we look ahead to the Colorado Rapids match at 7:30pm on Saturday night at Children's Mercy Park. Alan Pulido is back which means someone has to be the odd man out. Can you keep Gianluca Busio out of the lineup? Where does he play? Is Roger Espinoza best used off the bench.. or perhaps as an outside back? Gerso Fernandes has been creating chances like crazy. And don't forget about Khiry Shelton!

Who do you sit?

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Annoying Things About Soccer - Shades of Blue Oct 16, 2020

Show notes

Sporting Kansas City got robbed of a goal, and a point, against FC Dallas on Wednesday night. The babying of keepers is a big pet peeve in the sport of soccer and Cody, Robert, & Thad dive into all the other annoyances in soccer. What bothers you? Is it keepers screaming "AWAY"? Is it the arbitrary addition of stoppage time?

There is also plenty of time to hate on Dallas, who may now be the focal point of hatred from SKC Nation this year.

As always we have a comprehensive and analytical preview of the upcoming match. What to do with the lineup after that heavy squad rotation midweek?

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