Chad Smith

The 2026 Sporting KC Season is Underway: Immediate Reactions Immediate reactions to both the Daniel Salloi trade, and Sporting Kansas City's performance without him against the SJ Earthquakes.

A new @fortheglorykc.bsky.social is out! This week:

- Reactions to the Salloi trade
- Breaking down #SportingKC vs. San Jose
- David Lee's press conference
- State of the roster updates

kcsoccerjournal.com/02/22/2026/t...

He's got some work to do with them on set pieces for sure.

Manu on his deep-laying playmaker spot: "It's a position I've played before."

"It depends on the players the team has and what the team needs."

Manu said he's comfortable there. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

Wicky on the set piece defending: "It's something we spoke about, that we trained."

He said they also emphasized set pieces can decide early games. Rapha wants more time to go back and look at them to assess what specifically went wrong. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

Wicky on Justin Reynold's injury: "It looks like a soft tissue, I can't tell you more about that." #SportingKC #SJvSKC

Yep, Davis was doing so much work covering a lot of midfield ground and then when he moved to right back, Kwaku Agyabeng didn't look like he'd ever practiced playing that spot.

He settled in late in the 2nd half, but that injury/switch changed the game.

Full time. 3-0 loss to open Sporting Kansas City's season. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

The San Jose fans took to booing Pulskamp after Tskiris kneed him in the back for the rest of the night... #SportingKC #SJvSKC

New signing Taylor Calhaira making his debut in stoppage time.

Harris off. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

Sporting KC Looking to add Three to Six More Players this Window David Lee spoke to the press on the state of Sporting KC's roster, how the Daniel Salloi trade came about, and a whole lot more.

kcsoccerjournal.com/02/20/2026/s...

Skahan should probably have two and he has none... #SportingKC #SJvSKC

I would say Ian James is playing RB. Davis is up the field in the attack.

Positions are pretty fluid right now.

Shapi off for.... CB Jansen Miller.

Back 3? Maybe trying to let the fullbacks create some offense and have more freedom to get forward?

Also, there are literally no wingers on the bench. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

Nico Tsakiris probably didn't mean to, but he put a knee in Pulksamp's back. Should be at least a foul, but nothing given. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

Defender brace... Munie with his 2nd. SKC can't clear the ball from the set piece. 3-0. #SportingKC #SJvSKC #quakes74

Calvin Harris nearly pulls one back for SKC, but Daniel makes a huge save! #SportingKC #SJvSKC

And new signing Taylor Calhaira who joined this week.

I have an eagle eye!

Wicky's first halftime. We'll see if he's better at making adjustments.

He has only SKC II players on the bench for offense though, and they're both teenagers. Not a lot of options. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

It was a pretty even half, then Reynolds goes down hurt. More guys are pushed out of position and then it all collapses.

The lack of depth get #SportingKC immediately to start the season. #SJvSKC

Disastrous end to the half for SKC. Turnover out of the back and San Jose make them pay. Preston Judd with the goal. 2-0 #SportingKC #SJvSKC

The corner kicks catch up with SKC. 1-0 San Jose as Munie gets the tap in. #SportingKC #SJvSKC #quakes74

Rookie Kwaku Agyabeng is coming in.

Reynold looks like he's done. They have no backup right back. Davis can move there. But Davis is already playing a spot he doesn't usually play.

The depth being tested immediately. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

I'm really impressed with Davis' vision so far. Lots of really slick passing from a guy not used to being that far up the field. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

Big save from Pulskamp! 0-0 in the 14th. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

Claire Hutton, Alex Pfeiffer and Jordan Silkowitz (current Bay FC and former KC Current players) behind Manu Garcia on the corner kick. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

So far looks like the 4-4-2 shape actually with Davis playing the role Salloi played in preseason.

Manu is sitting deep next to Bartlett. #SportingKC #SJvSKC

The 2026 season is underway for SKC! #SportingKC #SJvSKC

Davis must be in the midfield since he and Reynolds are out there.

Maybe just a 4-3-3 after the Salloi trade? No Bassong or Afrifa with injuries. #SportingKC