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In a move that has been expected for a while now, Sporting Kansas City have waived defensive midfielder Amobi Okugo. After being acquired from Orlando City in a trade for Servando Carrasco in July, the 24 year old made only three appearances in MLS play last season.
Things were looking quite thin in defense last year for Sporting KC and it was hoped Okugo and his experience at center back could provide reinforcements. However in his first appearance shortly after joining the team, he looked sluggish and by no means Sporting Fit. He managed only one start, just to be replaced at the half, and played a total of 108 minutes in Sporting Blue.
Okugo was due $300k last season and sources report that OCSC paid $200k of that salary as part of the trade.
The move comes after he has been notably absent from preseason camp along with owner Robb Heineman implying Okugo was not really a big part of any plans this season.
The moves bring the roster down to 26 players. With Anor being loaned out to Minnesota United and Okugo waived, that leaves the other question mark on this team, Marcel De Jong. The Canadian international has also been absent from training and eating up too much cap space for a backup left-back.