The Blue Testament: for Sporting KC fans

Latest Episodes:

A Safe Space: Shades of Blue Soccer Show Sep 18, 2019

Show notes

We here at The Blue Testament understand your pain and want to provide a safe space to express yourself and work through emotions during this difficult time. Cody, Robert, & Thad got in the studio to share what is on their minds after Sporting Kansas City were destroyed by the Galaxy, eliminating (nearly) all hope of making the playoffs. We look for other, more positive soccer topics to discuss, including the good things going on from the Swope Park Rangers. And we finish by discussing this weekend's match vs the Colorado Rapids.

Just lay down on our couch and let us know how that 7-2 beating from the Los Angeles Galaxy makes you feel. We aren't used to this sort of thing as Sporting KC fans. As Thad points out, this is the first time as SKC they haven't made the playoffs, the first time with a full season of Vermes, and first time in Children's Mercy Park as well! We're lucky to have had the last decade of quality soccer. But we share everything on our minds and what has everyone upset.

After the break we checked in with the USWNT, the USMNT, and Swope Park for better things to discuss. Felipe Hernandez is a new homegrown signing from the academy that the guys are excited about.

With the pressure mostly gone, the lineup discussion is more interesting. Do you play the kids? Do you fight for that 3% chance to make the post season? The fan poll has returned some interesting results, especially at striker.

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Leapfrog: Shades of Blue Soccer Show Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

We're all feeling things we have never felt with Sporting Kansas City on the brink of elimination before the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. Cody and Robert sit down for some group therapy, or a podcast, rather. Certain players will have a lot to prove before the offseason arrives, but first we look at this weekend's match-up against Zlatan and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The podcast was recorded just before the Major League Soccer Wednesday night matches, but SKC is focusing on four teams. RSL, DAL, POR, and LAG are technically within striking distance and SKC needs at least two of them to falter. Which two teams give us the best chance to make a miraculous run to the post season?

Peter Vermes has a lot of decisions to make this off season. But the players have a few more games to make their mark. We go line-by-line to decide who has the most to prove. Daniel Salloi is the most obvious, but a couple players on the backline have questions to be answered as well. And can Erik Hurtado cement himself in this club's future plans?

The Galaxy have shown a few cracks lately and Robert thinks their defense has a lot of problems for Sporting to exploit. But how do you stop Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his 23 goals - should you focus on him, or preventing the service to him? Cristian Pavón has been a fantastic addition to the league and it's possible we could see the return of Romain Alessandrini.

There aren't many questions about the lineup this weekend, except in the midfield. Does Ilie Sanchez resume his starting role or will Felipe Gutierrez start at holding midfield with Benny Feilhaber getting the nod again?

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Let's Go Streaking: Shades of Blue Soccer Show Sep 04, 2019

Show notes

This week's podcast covers SKC's 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo, a huge match on Saturday in Portland, as well as a USA vs Mexico discussion.

Graham Smith has stepped up when this team needed it the most. He's solidified the back line during a string of wins by one-goal margins and provided help on the attacking end as well. Ilie Sanchez has been getting a break recently, starting on the bench with Gutierrez in his spot. Why has this been working so well?

Many have tried to replace Seth Sinovic, and Luis Martins is next in line to attempt it. He has been improving every game and the Sporting Kansas City win over the Dynamo was his best yet. Can he hold that spot down?

Of course, with the biggest game of the year coming up against the Portland Timbers, Sporting will be without six players. Felipe Gutierrez and Johnny Russell will have the biggest impact. What will this mean for Peter Vermes' lineup. and can they still pull out a win to go level with the Timbers?

It's time for the United States Men's National Team to get back in action, and for the first time in a very long time, we aren't entirely disappointed in the selection. In the absence of Michael Bradley, Alfredo Morales is back in the mix much to the surprise of Cody. But the young guys have a chance to impress against Mexico and Uruguay. Might we see someone like Sergino Dest solidify himself with the Yanks?

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Call-Ups Are Coming: Shades of Blue Soccer Show Aug 29, 2019

Show notes

This week it was just Cody and Thad in the studio taking a couple questions from Twitter about Yohan Croizet, the string of call-ups for Sporting Kansas City players, and what sort of impact it will have on the team. We also look ahead and preview potential lineups against the Houston Dynamo this weekend.

Where in the world is Croizet? Is he even technically still with the team? Is it the team or the player that has created this situation? We discuss what Peter Vermes had to say about it.

Johnny Russel, Boton Borath, Krisztian Nemeth, Felipe Gutierrez, Nico Hasler, and Gianluca Busio have all been called into their respective national teams and will be leaving the team after the Houston match. SKC will be without them for an incredibly important match with the Portland Timbers.

But for this weekend, it looks like almost everyone is back to health. What will Vermes do with so many options for his lineuup this week? We've got the report from the training ground.

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A Real Rivalry: Shades of Blue Soccer Show S2:E21 Aug 21, 2019

Show notes

With an odd Thursday match this week Cody, Robert, and Thad have a fresh new podcast covering all things Sporting Kansas City - and Missouri soccer.

Saturday's big comeback win over San Jose Earthquakes was a breath of fresh air as we saw glimpses of the SKC team we know and love. But will it actually be the start of something, or will they follow this up with another loss as we've seen several times this season? Graham Smith has established himself as the backup centerback to Besler & Barath, plus Luis Martins had a solid match by not being very noticeable.

St. Louis has finally been awarded an MLS team. It has been a long time coming and will mean a lot for soccer in Midwest, the league, and for fans wanting to see a true rivalry. But what might this mean for the expansive Sporting KC Academy?

Minnesota United is far from a real rival, as the fans from both teams are as friendly with eachother as humanly possible. Thad is really "peeved" about the late 8:30pm kickoff in the middle of the week. What was MLS thinking? Our old friend Ike Opara will make his way back to Children's Mercy Park as part of the 2nd place team in the West. We talk about his impact on leaving SKC and arriving in Minnesota. We'll also tell you who was training and who is likely to be in Peter Vermes' starting lineup for another important match to keep playoff hopes alive.

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Fixer Upper: Shades of Blue Soccer Show S2:E20 Aug 16, 2019

Show notes

We're officially in the darkest timeline.. But the podcast is here to fix Sporting Kansas City.

Cody, Robert, and Thad were in the studio to discuss Wednesday's disappointing loss at the hands of Orlando City. Peter Vermes was forced into three experiments in this one with Gianluca Busio on the wing, Jimmy Medranda up top, and Graham Smith at centerback. We decide what worked and what should never, ever happen again.

A new segment was introduced this week as the team struggles so heavily - Pod Save the Team. Because we have all the answers on this podcast. What can be done to fix this and get SKC into the post season?

We were also joined by Daniel Sperry once again and he was able to share with us some great insight into Saturday's opponent, the San Jose Earthquakes. And as always we go through each part of the lineup and figure out what Peter Vermes should do with his Starting XI this weekend.

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He Named Names: Shades of Blue Soccer Show S2:E19 Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

Every time we think this Sporting Kansas City team is ready to climb out of the abyss, they just sink deeper. They had a big opportunity to chip away at their deficit in the playoff race against Real Salt Lake on Saturday but after a 2-1 loss, they are sitting eight points out right now. Misery loves company right? We were joined by Daniel Sperry to talk about the loss and prepare for the midweek match against Orlando City.

A Peter Vermes team is always very organized and smart on defense. Always, except for right now. We talk about what is going on with the defense and why things look so different than SKC fans are used to from their defense. Felipe Gutierrez had us talking last week about him being the leader and perhaps putting the team on his back, but his missed penalty put a damper on things. Another play from the RSL match that proved vital was the no-call on a penalty kick. What say you... pen or no pen?

Daniel Salloi has yet to score in what has been an incredibly disappointing MLS season for him, which was underlined by a head scratching tackle that earned him a red card. The 23-year-old has a resounding lack of confidence at the moment. But he is a streaky player as we saw last year, perhaps he just needs one lucky moment to get him on track.

Our old friends Dom Dwyer and Uri Rosell await Sporting KC in Orlando on Wednesday, although neither of them have been playing every match. Is it possible that the whole "spiritual home" thing was nonsense? Could that really be?

Thad was at training and has all the bits you need to know on who is fit for Wendesday. We go through each spot in the roster to come up with a starting lineup in spite of the injuries and suspension.

Daniel makes up a new word.

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Real Big Match: Shades of Blue Soccer Show S2:E18 Aug 08, 2019

Show notes

The gang's all here! Aly was back at it again on Wednesday night with Cody, Robert, and Thad to revisit the huge win over Seattle and preview Saturday's equally important match with RSL.

Sporting Kansas City got the 3-2 win over the Seattle Sounders last week on the back of a Felipe Gutierrez brace. The Chilean has stepped up as of late, both on and off the field. Can he be the guy to put SKC on his back and climb up the ladder into the playoffs? We also discuss the encouraging start (and goal) from Erik Hurtado in Krisztian Nemeth's absence. He brings something different to the table and the fans are here for it.

Botond Borath has claimed the starting role, but is Andreu Fontas really as bad as the criticism he's been receiving? He won't be winning a footrace anytime soon, but the entire back line is lacking in the speed department. Do you blame centerbacks or the fullbacks?

There was also some breaking news while we were recording as Kelyn Rowe was traded to RSL in exchange for $75,000 in TAM as well as an international roster spot. He was unable to contribute much on the field in his short time here, so it was a fairly easy choice for Peter Vermes to move him and open up that international spot.

Real Salt Lake is coming to KC on Saturday for what is a real big match (I'll see myself out). They will be without head coach Mike Petke who has been suspended by MLS and additionally by RSL for an outburst after a match. We'll also tell you who is training, who is match fit, and who the fans want to see in the Starting XI.

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Return of Roger: Shades of Blue Soccer Show S2:E17 Jul 25, 2019

Show notes

The podcast is back after a buy week to discuss Sporting Kansas City's loss to FC Dallas, players returning from injury, and give a preview of Friday's match in NYC.

There was something in the stadium on July 20th that prevent anyone from making a shot on target. Everyone except Dallas, that is. We discuss Saturday's Media Game and how Cody wasn't the only one who couldn't manage a shot on target. SKC took 18 shots on the day and it wasn't until later in the 2nd half they managed to get two of them on goal. Coming off two straight wins it was a gut punch to lose this one at home. But the return of Roger Espinoza was a breath of fresh air and something this team was missing desperately for too long.

We have seen the light at the end of the tunnel for this stretch of injuries and everyone is back training except for Jaylin Lindsey and Rodney Wallace. Roger is a big one but while we still have the famous question of "Who is the striker" right now, Erik Hurtado will be welcomed back with open arms. We have a lineup discussion at all parts of the field. Does Yohan Croizet or Krisztian Nemeth get the nod up top? Who do you play in the absence of Felipe Gutierrez (yellow card accumulation)? Benny Feilhaber or Gianluca Busio? Does Vermes change the back line after a shaky performance last week?

New York City FC has historically (heh) been defined by big stars, but they are finding success this season without a household name. They know how to play on their small field, but unleashing crazy people like Espinoza and Croizet in a small area might be really fun to watch. As always, you'll find a lot of positivity and optimism as we look ahead to this match.

...Especially without Thad on the pod this week.

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World Champs: Shades of Blue Soccer Show S2:E16 Jul 11, 2019

Show notes

Riddled with injuries and inter-state duty, the podcast roster was down to Cody and Thad this week. But the summer of soccer has given us a lot to discuss as of late. The United States Women's National Team are FIFA World Cup Champions for the fourth time and the celebrations have been so much fun to watch! The USMNT were able to make the Gold Cup final against Mexico, but still came up a bit short falling 1-0. And SKC get a much needed win that hopefully marks the beginning of their climb through the ranks of the West.

With Megan Rapinoe & Rose Lavelle netting the goals, the US took down the Netherlands to become World Champs yet again. The country, especially Kansas City, were all the way behind them and the party has yet to stop. The girls are enjoying the wave, but how long will this last? Can the NWSL parlay this hype into something more for the sport? The scenes from PnL (somehow) had some wondering if fans were to blame for the demise of FCKC. Thad is a HUGE fan of the women's game and we discuss the failures of their ownership as well as problems with fans.

We also spent some time on the USMNT's Gold Cup performance. While the end result may not have been what everyone wanted, there was progress made. We are witnessing a changing of the guard as Weston McKennie, Aaron Long, and Christian Pulisic take charge of the team. But there is still clearly a long way to go - on the field and off. Can Omar Gonzalez really be a part of the team going forward? The same could be asked of Michael Bradley as well.

Yohan Croizet has scored in back-to-back matches and Sporting Kansas City moved out of last place in the Western Conference. The Transfer Window has opened and Peter Vermes claims to be looking at 30 players, but Cody & Thad think the most useful reinforcements will come by way of players returning from injury. Aside from Jaylin Lindsey and Rodney Wallace, everyone is training again. Roger Espinoza is on the road back for a huge boost in the midfield, and Erik Hurtado is nearing a return as well. Hurtado should light a fire under the struggling Krisztian Nemeth.

There will be some choices to make for the lineup against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday. We come up with a game-plan for the lineup and substitutions to get a win. The fans are leaning towards Graham Zusi over Nico Hasler, but perhaps more surprising is Croizet leading the way over Nemeth at striker.

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