Keeping Tabs On Sporting KC Targets

As has been talked about a bit here over the last couple days, we now know the names of (nearly) a handful of players that Sporting Kansas City technical director/head coach Peter Vermes is either working to sign, or has interest in as a potential signing.*

So, rather than just presenting the two or three fine readers that I currently have here with this information and leaving it at that, I figured why not keep track of those players with their current clubs and let everyone know how they are doing. So, at the beginning of every week, after the players' respective leagues have played their fixtures for the weekend, I am going to try and compile as much information about each game, and more specifically, the Sporting KC target's role within the game. I can't promise for a ton of information on the specific players, (for example, the T&T League isn't exactly the most internet savvy of leagues) but what I do find, you'll have, too.

Though we know really only the name of three legitimate targets, all three were in action over the weekend, so hit the jump to see how their current clubs fared...

*I have added a section on the left sidebar of the site with the names of any players that have been mentioned in rumors to be involved with Sporting KC. Whether the news comes from The Daily Wiz or one of the other SKC bloggers, I'll be sure to keep it updated there for your viewing pleasure.

In Portugal, Aurelien Collin's Vitoria Setubal won a wild one over Portimonense, 4-3. The Daily Wiz reported Sporting KC's interest in Collin back in early December, but since Vermes has stated that a deal for Collin may be unlikely, as they are looking for a player in January, while his contract runs until the summer.

After falling into the relegation zone in the Portuguese Liga due to a run of poor results over the last month, Vitoria returned the two week holiday break and equalled their total number of goals for the last 6-plus games. Granted, they did allow three, and Collin is a defender and a part of that defense, but the game was well in hand before the third Portimonense goal, which came on a penalty, was scored in second half stoppage time.

One database shows Collin as the rightback for Vitoria, while another lists him in the centerback slot. That's not surprising, though, as he is that kind of hybrid defender, able to play either-or. Collin played 90 minutes, did not receive a card and registered absolutely nothing on the stat sheet.

Down in the Carribean, it was more good news for the newest pair of SKC targets in the T&T Pro League. Each players' club - Sheldon Bateau's San Juan Jabloteh and Daneil Cyrus's Caledonia AIA - were able to keep clean sheets in their respective 1-0 and 2-0 wins.

Caledonia are fighting to keep hold of second place in the league currently, while Jabloteh, currently in sixth, are only two points out of third place and a possible CONCACAF Champions League berth.

Clean sheets are not only great because it means you can't possibly lose the game, but also because both players being targeted by KC are known to be defenders. Less goals conceded would have been nice in 2010, so we're actively looking to improve the depleted center of defense currently on the roster.

Each player played 90 minutes. It looks as if Cyrus was cautioned with a yellow card at some point in the game. There is no way of telling how that situation came about.

Hopefully with each passing week, we have a new target or a handful of new rumors to discuss and I can bring much more to you guys in regards to some potential signings.