The Blue Testament: for Sporting KC fans

Latest Episodes:

Cancel Colorado - Shades of Blue Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

The games are coming quickly but we're cranking out new episodes as fast as we can! Cody, Robert, & Thad were back at it again on Monday night talking all things Sporting Kansas City and MLS.

A break is coming however, as the Colorado Rapids match on October 21st has been postponed with no rescheduled date in sight. How exactly will MLS handle this?

Nine points from the last three matches with a depleted lineup is nothing to scoff at. More importantly, we are starting to see some consistency on the backline as Winston Reid & Roberto Puncec seemed to have locked down the centerback positions, and Amadou Dia looks sharp at left back.

Erik Hurtado was in top form in the 2-1 win over Nashville SC. But it was again off the bench. Has he done enough to earn a spot in the Starting XI with Alan Pulido on national team duty with Mexico?

We also take a look at any lineup questions heading into (another) the match with FC Dallas on Wednesday.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Post Presser Shades of Blue Oct 09, 2020

Show notes

Is a centerback finally grabbing hold of the reigns on the backline? Winston Reid has turned in a couple strong performances in a row, including heading home a match winner. We give ourselves a pat on the back for supporting him, of course.

Daniel Salloi is still really struggling. Is it possible the situation is worse than we thought?

Peter Vermes spoke to the media ahead of Sunday's match against Nashville SC and gave an update on Graham Zusi's injury. Gianluca Bio also joined in as he's now one of the team's star players. Thad asked him his thoughts on his EA Sports FIFA rating.

Also the club has announced a trade has been made, but has not shared many details.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Fire - Shades of Blue Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

The win over the Houston Dynamo was reminiscent of pre-pandemic Sporting Kansas City. When it looked like this team were going to be unstoppable and win all the trophies. Alan Pulido made his glorious return with two fantastic goals and SKC is back on track, right?!

Wrong. Just when you think something good is coming, the universe reminds you it is the year 2020.

But it is a great thing for Pulido to be back representing Mexico with El Tri. It's a good look for Major League Soccer, and Sporting KC in particular.

There's no time to daydream about his quality as the Chicago Fire are coming to Children's Mercy Park for a showdown on Wednesday night, and the striker won't be there. Gadi Kinda is available after a yellow card suspension which means there will be an odd man out in the midfield. Is Roger Espinoza 100%? You have to keep Gianluca Busio's hot hand in the Starting XI, right?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reunion Show - Shades of Blue` Oct 02, 2020

Show notes

Ask and you shall receive! Aly Trost (now) from 810 Sports Radio joins us for an episode to reunite the original Shades of Blue crew!

It strangely doesn't seem like much has changed as the conversations were quite similar to a couple years ago. Who should play winger? Why do they keep dominating games without getting the win? What is Khiry Shelton's best position?

Sporting Kansas City has VERY rough stretch coming up with NINE games over a 30 day period. Squad rotation seems like a must, but Peter Vermes. We try to figure out how many games Graham Zusi will play.

Nine. It'll be nine.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Question & The Answer: Shades of Blue Sep 30, 2020

Show notes

The show was joined by long-time SKC player and current TV Color Analyst, Jake Peterson, to talk about the current state of Sporting Kansas City and hear some fun stories from his playing days.

Being such a recent former player, it was really great to get Peterson's perspective on the struggles the team is having, as well as the impact that this pandemic has had on the MLS season. What centerback pairing would he go with? Who has underperformed this year?

We ask the questions and Jake always has - wait for it - THE ANSWER.

But the real fun starts when he talks about his exploits as a player. One of the best almost-fighter's the club has seen in years was known to get into tussles on the training ground. But did he really fight a trialist in front of Victory Project kids? There are plenty of stories including how he only ever saw one red card in his career, and it came while he was chilling on the bench.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Busio or Ilie? - Shades of Blue Sep 25, 2020

Show notes

It's a darker shade of blue this week with Sporting Kansas City reeling after a 2-1 loss to Orlando City on Wednesday. But we try to find some lighter shades to brighten things up for you.

It doesn't feel right to ask the question.

Several months ago this would have been blasphemy.

How dare we?

But after seeing Ilie Sanchez's return to the field in Gianluca Busio's absence, would you prefer to have the youngster starting for you at #6?

Peter Vermes hinted that Matt Besler might have picked up an injury, but there was more shuffling in the back line on Wednesday. We try to definitively come up with Sporting KC's best center back pairing.

... I said, "try".

We also discuss Alan Pulido's return and his willingness to track back and help facilitate play. Is too much of a good thing, a bad thing?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Familiar Foe - Shades of Blue Sep 18, 2020

Show notes

We've got a new podcast fresh off a Peter Vermes press conference ahead of SKC's Saturday matinee against FC Dallas! Jimmy Mack joins Cody & Thad to get you ready for another important match.

It took a few questions on the subject, but Vermes divulged more information on Alan Pulido's absence the last three matches. The striker is back to training with the team and is potentially available for selection on Saturday. Vermes continued to explain that Roger Espinoza is probably the only player he would list as "questionable".

Might we see the return of Ilie? Or did Busio swoop his spot?

Sporting Kansas City have played this team before, you might remember. It was yesterday, I think. Anyway we discuss the previous meetings with Dallas and what to expect this time around.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pulido's "Knock" - Shades of Blue Soccer Show Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

After getting a big 1-0 win over Minnesota, Sporting Kansas City are back on top of the Western Conference. But were they really good or was Minnesota United really bad? Several players like Graham Zusi and Johnny Russell redeemed themselves with good performances, youngsters Gianluca Busio & Felipe Hernandez looked sharp, and the Gadi-Gerso combination is going to be fun to watch.

The long-awaited, mythical DP Striker Alan Pulido has missed three games in a row. But the only thing we've heard is he suffered a knock and has been day-to-day all of September. COVID has change a few league protocols and if Peter Vermes isn't forced to give away intel on his players, why in the world would he?

MLS transfer rumors are flying and SKC have been linked with a couple different players. Will they make a move before the window closes on October 29?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Busio Stealing Ilie's Spot? - Shades of Blue Soccer Show Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

We've got a new podcast for you this week, with some upgraded audio, in which we cover Sporting Kansas City's loss to the Houston Dynamo, have a debate about Ilie and Busio that will make you squirm, give an explanation about Alan Pulido, and preview this weekend's match against Minnesota United FC.

The entire SKC defense has been beaten several times this year by one pass. What is different this year and why do there seem to be so many holes?

Thad Bell, attack him on Twitter @TheBackpost, says he's starting Gianluca Busio over the beloved Ilie Sanchez. How could this be? Help us prove him wrong, please.

Alan Pulido and his wife jetted off to Chicago and, to the surprise of nobody, the internet panicked. But we've got a reasonable explanation for everything to calm you down a bit.

A touchy subject for many fans is Ike Opara. It's common to joke about the egregious mistake in letting him go among Sporting faithful. But Ike is once again hurt and not on the field.

Also... a puppy made it ALMOST the entire podcast without messing things up. But she just had to ruin the sign off.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting Defensive - Shades of Blue Soccer Show Aug 29, 2020

Show notes

BACK AT IT AGAIN!

MLS regular season is back, Sporting Kansas City is back, and your favorite SOB is back.

However, Tuesday's 5-2 loss against the Houston Dynamo in the anticipated return to Children's Mercy Park was a big disappointment. Peter Vermes has been throwing anyone and everyone out there on the back line, and nothing seems to be clicking just yet.

Who has been the best centerback? The worst? Is there a best pairing yet? Is Matt Besler going to struggle to find the field this year? There are just so many questions right now, and that is just about centerbacks.

We discuss Graham Zusi at length and get an update on Luis Martins. Is there even a backup right back at the moment? Jaylin Lindsey looked pretty bad, but nobody is too worried about him.

It's not all bad, though. SKC still sit on top of the Western Conference, I'll have you know. We also look at the other positives the team has going right now.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices