The Resilient Journey of Peter Vermes and Sporting Kansas City

• Peter Vermes
• Sporting Kansas City

Throughout his career, Peter Vermes has become an institution in Major League Soccer. He has managed Sporting Kansas City since 2009, representing a significant portion of his life and half of the league's existence. Beyond his tenure as a manager, Vermes also holds the sporting director duties, overseeing all soccer operations of the club he once played for in the early 2000s. "It's not over until it's over," he often says, echoing the resilience that has characterized his journey.

The Challenge of the 2023 Season

Despite his long-standing relationship with Sporting Kansas City, Vermes faced significant criticism at the start of the 2023 season. A disappointing 10-game winless start led to a vocal contingent of fans demanding a change in leadership. However, Vermes took the outcry personally, using it as fuel to drive his team forward.

"I think it was disrespectful, and I was disappointed because families help each other in tough times. It's easy when a coach is winning, you know? Everybody loves the coach, he's great, everything's great, everything's good. But I wasn't brought in here for, again, if the team's winning like crazy and they're winning trophies, everybody's happy, and it's great because you're winning now. But you're brought in for the tough times. When the going gets tough, can you help the team get out of that? That's what you're brought in for." Vermes explained.

Silencing the Naysayers

Despite the rocky start, Vermes' belief in his team never wavered. His mentality of facing challenges head-on served the team well, leading them to a remarkable turnaround. From the brink of despair, Sporting Kansas City is two wins away from reaching the MLS Cup. Their journey included notable victories over St. Louis CITY SC and the San Jose Earthquakes, proving their doubters wrong.

Getting Healthy, Getting Hot

Key players getting healthy provided a significant boost to the team's performance. Designated Players Alan Pulido and Gadi Kinda contributed substantially after missing the 2022 Smith knee injuries. Pulido's 14 goals and three assists campaign earned him the 2023 MLS Comeback Player of the Year honors, while Kinda proved crucial with 1 goal and three assists in the three playoffs.

Belief and Commitment

The coach's faith in his team never wavered despite the ups and downs of the season. He inspired his players to believe in themselves and persevere through tough times. Their resilience and unwavering commitment led to a remarkable journey to the top. The coach reminded his team that winning every year is unrealistic and that they must maintain belief and confidence in their abilities. He believed in his players and their potential, and they found a way to commit themselves to the team's success.