Peter Vermes on Winston Reid, SKC II Lineups, Winger Depth and MLS Expansion

On the heels of the 2-1 upset suffered by Sporting Kansas City at the hands of Phoenix Rising, The Blue Testament and Joseph Lowery of the MLS Assist podcast (Joe’s voice is heard first), catches up with Peter Vermes.

Here are a few quick takeaways with the full video at the bottom of the story.

Winston Reid has Arrived

After his loan from West Ham United to Sporting KC, Reid had already arrived in Arizona and participated in three practices (as of this past Wednesday). There is no timeline when he might play at this time.

Sporting KC II Lineups

Next we talked to Vermes about why players from the first team get loaned down to SKC II but don’t always get on the field. Also, PV gets into why a player like Daniel Salloi, who was in a severe slump, never went down on loan.

Winger Depth

Vermes also breaks down his four primary options at winger: Johnny Russell, Daniel Salloi, Gerso Fernandes and Khiry Shelton. The first three are no surprise and Shelton has only lined up at RW with Alan Pulido, Erik Hurtado, Wilson Harris or Tyler Freeman getting all the center forward minutes.

MLS Expansion

In 2019, Vermes gave an interview about expansion in MLS going to 40 teams. When asked about his current thoughts on the expansion situation he responded, “it’s definitely not stopping at 30.” With Inter Miami and Nashville SC joining this season, Austin FC and Charlotte joining in 2021 and St. Louis and Sacramento coming in 2022, it seems clear to Vermes and everyone watching, MLS will keep growing.