Sporting KC trades Benny Feilhaber to Los Angeles FC

In a surprise move on Wednesday night, Sporting Kansas City traded 32-year-old midfielder Benny Feilhaber to Los Angeles FC in exchange for $400k in allocation money.

“Benny has been a really good player for our organization since 2013 and we appreciate his contribution to the club,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said in the press release. “On a personal note, I am very happy that I was able to coach Benny twice, both here and with the U-20 National Team, and we wish him nothing but the best.”

Feilhaber scored 33 goals and assisted 56 in his five seasons with the club after being acquired from the New England Revolution. He enjoyed a “career renaissance” in Kansas City as an offensive spark, although he fell off in the 2017 season with only five goals and four assists in all competitions.

This move gives the expansion side Los Angeles FC two former Sporting KC men heading into their inaugural season as they acquired forward Latif Blessing earlier this offseason in the expansion draft. LAFC is managed by Bob Bradley, who coached Feilhaber during their times with the US National Team.

What this means for Sporting KC

On the Sporting KC side, they are left with 24 roster spots filled heading into the 2018 season. The move also adds $400k of allocation money ($200k of General Allocation Money and $200k in Targeted Allocation Money) to their coffers and frees up Feilhaber’s salary.

This move also means that they either have a lot of faith in recently-acquired midfielder Yohan Croizet to step in to the starting role, or they are planning on more transfers throughout the rest of the offseason.

Updated: Benny says farewell to KC.