Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes and two players have been placed under Major League Soccer health and safety protocols.
The team did not reveal the names of the two players and will keep the information confidential right now. Head coach Vermes added that it is “probably unlikely” that he and the other two players will appear on the sidelines in Wednesday’s game against the San Jose Earthquakes. He also reminded the audience that the players and the technical staff are 100 percent vaccinated.
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Head coach added midfielder Felipe Hernandez will also be out of action on Wednesday, increasing the list of unavailable players to five as Alan Pulido and Gianluca Busio remain in international service. Although Vermes did not seem worried in front of journalists, he acknowledged a definite structural change for the midweek.
“It will definitely cause a mix in the lineup, plus with players in international service,” Vermes said. “But we will put a good team on the field, which we always try.”
Sporting Kansas City are currently in second place with 26 points from 13 games, just three points behind Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders. Although Kansas City is a game behind the Sounders, the revelation of two more missing players could delay the team’s hopes of defeating league rivals. Just like their coach, Sporting KC players did not seem scared and welcomed the challenge.
“We have a big group of reasons like this,” said winger Johnny Russell. “Everyone knows what is happening in the world now, circumstances are changing and changing rapidly. We have more than enough quality players who can come in.
“We have a lot of games coming, this is where we will be tested as a group. If we continue to pick up points as we have been, this may separate you from the pack. Many teams will look at it that way. ”
