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PODCAST

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast

Drew VanderPloeg and Cody Welton

A conversation on topics involving the MLS club Sporting Kansas City. Tactical breakdowns of match performances, discussion around personnel and their usage, and previews of upcoming matches. Some additional content around other USMNT and MLS news as appropriate. Want to participate in the discussion? Join us on the Podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/pkg4S85qR2

sports soccer

All Episodes

01:27:16

Ep 43: Overreacting about preseason scrimmages, Apple...

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2023/02/02

This week Drew and Cody spend way too much time talking about irrelevant preseason friendly performances and what they mean, and why we tend to do so every year. Apple TV's MLS platform is live. What can we take from it so far? How useful will it be at driving interest in the league? Is Apple the right partner for MLS to go forward with? Automatisms in the world game, what are they? Why are they used? How do SKC use them as a basis of structure and what their value is. A deep dive into the somewhat

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01:15:55

Episode 42 - The Return of the Pod

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2023/01/27

We back and we back and we back! After a brief hiatus, Drew and Cody make a Lazarus-like return to your ears for a full breakdown of the current state of SKC with a new pod format and structure. We discuss the Top 3 stories surrounding the team, which given the pre-season timing of the pod, mostly focuses on roster makeup. The embarrassment of riches at LB, the complete lack of them at CB, and the overall depth chart and how it looks going into the season as is. A deep dive into the 3-1-6

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01:25:57

Episode 41 - We love a good midfield

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/12/02

We're back! After a brief hiatus and 3 World Cup group stage games, we have returned to give our thoughts on the USMNT as they have advanced to the knockout rounds and have played perhaps their best soccer in the Berhalter era. The midfield trio of Adams, Musah and McKennie have been the talk of the tournament, and rightfully so. We discuss their performances and those of the team, as well as the structures Gregg Berhalter has employed and how they have worked, along with the execution of the team

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01:34:59

Episode 40 - I don’t know what we’re yelling about!

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/11/10

After what was a vastly entertaining MLS Cup Final, we are in full off-season mode, and the first of many ridiculous MLS player movement mechanisms is upon us, the Expansion Draft. We talk about the roster and who is eligible to be protected, and what we consider to be the best strategy for SKC to employ during this process. We also briefly discuss what was a fascinating match between LAFC and Philly, if not the most aesthetically pleasing soccer ever played. The 2022 Men's World Cup is upon us,

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01:06:20

Episode 39 - It finally happened!

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/11/03

We've been whining about it all year, and SKC finally signed a #6. We discuss the addition of Nemanja Radoja, what we really know about him, and what reasonable expectations are for his addition to the team. The Current's run finally came to an end, and honestly they were outplayed by the Thorns. That said, there is plenty to look forward to with that team both on and off the field. MLS Playoffs may be increasing in game quantity in 2023, which may or may not be a good idea. It is definitely tied

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01:56:41

Episode 38 - Where do we go from here?

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/10/20

The MLSPA made their bi-annual roster dump just in time for us to evaluate the SKC roster, salary cap situation, and identify priorities for next year, along with discussing who should potentially stay or go? Obviously there a many dependencies on how certain players effect the required tactics, their fit with their potential teammates, and how they effect the club's ceiling. We try to address it all in one podcast, and as a result, its a long one! Also a quick convo on the KC Current, who have a

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01:52:21

Episode 37 - That's All Folks!

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/10/13

SKC Closed out a fairly forgettable season with a somewhat forgettable result, but we tell you why you shouldn't forget it! It's a stark reminder of some structural issues that need to be addressed, and we go through them all(sign a defensive midfielder pls, Fontas still is a liabililty, and should you build your posession structure around a 36yo RB?). We also discuss a couple fairly lackluster pair of friendlies for the USWNT, and finish with a discussion around the systemic issues that persist

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01:09:56

Episode 36 - Peaked too late I guess

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/10/06

It was an almost perfect day at CMP on Sunday, in almost every imaginable way. The weather, the vibes, the fans, and the performance on the field. Some of the best soccer we have seen all season was on display, and SKC controlled and contributed the majority of it. We are running out of words to describe Willy Agada, and we are also seeing players like Ben Sweat really round into form. We also saw a great performance from Remi Walter, but discuss why those could be harder to come by next year if the

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01:06:52

Episode 35 - USMNT Vibe-less, KC Current - no notes

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/09/29

It's an international break with no SKC games! Drew and Cody discuss a rather listless pair of matches for the USMNT and what they see happening, and whether relying on a single 19yo midfielder for success is a good idea. Also some discussion around coaching idealism and how GGG might need to adjust to get his players at their best in Qatar. We also cover the KC Current and what may be the most fascinating tactical setup in the NWSL, or in soccer in general. Matt Potter is setting up his players to

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01:46:26

Episode 34 - Agada Feeling

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/09/22

We're back! And SKC have extended their positive run of form to 8 games with 2 more wins and a draw and only 1 loss across the last 2 months. We spend more time evaluating the underlying numbers of Willy Agada and Erik Thommy's performances since arriving in KC(spoiler alert: They good). Also, a discussion around off-season squad construction now that we know what pieces will be in place and where the areas of need will be. Robbie Voloder has a wonderful game against DC United and is a halftime sub

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01:03:10

Episiode 33 - Botched panenkas

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/09/08

Drew is back from LA after bringing back one lowly point on the trip. We discuss what was a fairly mixed performance from Sporting KC. There were positives we have become familiar with over the past 6 weeks, and negatives we have seen a lot this season. In any other circumstance, a 2-2 draw at LA would be a decent result, so we need to take that in context. A discussion around the fairly disparate profiles of those in both fullback positions vs. their counterparts, and whether SKC had the

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01:26:23

Episode 32 - Thommy on Thommy crime

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/09/01

Erik Thommy. What else can be said. Dude was on one all night against San Jose, and abused Thommy Thompson regularly. Quite clearly the best player on the field, and his quality lifted the rest of the team. While it was a 1-0 result, SKC never felt to be in significant trouble outside the first 10 minutes of the match. John Pulskamp also had another very good match, as well as Daniel Salloi, who signed a new 4yr contract extension this week to extend his stay in KC through 2026. Drew and Cody talk

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01:24:58

Episode 31 - The Return of Fun

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/08/25

Fun soccer is Fun! Who knew? SKC turned in the most comprehensive performance of the season against Portland. Yes they outscored their xG by a bunch, but it is more about how they played, the positional play, the possession, the winning second balls, the pressing and counterpressing. For the first time this season, they looked like the SKC we have come to expect for several years. Drew and Cody unpack all of the pieces of the performance, as well as some concerns about its sustainability given how

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01:47:13

Episode 29 - 4 goals in one game? In this economy?

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/08/11

Drew and Cody discuss their relative elation given the first legitimately positive performance of the season by SKC against the LA Galaxy on the weekend. We were treated to another vintage Rog performance, as well as Zusi at his best dropping dimes from deep. Is there reason to be concerned about how SKC can effectively move on from these players? You can see how important they can be when they play well vs. the other available options. Will Willy Agada become one of the most lovable SKC players in

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01:47:11

Episode 28 - All Hail the Offside Trap

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/08/04

Drew and Cody discuss a 2-0 loss to Austin that on the face of it seems pretty bleak. SKC probably actually played one of their best matches of the season though, and there are potential positives to be excited for. Willy Agada is a real center forward, and it meant actual chances were created in this match. Was the offside trap effective or just lucky? Is Kayden Pierre the highest upside youth player SKC has? Will Cam Duke ever be seen again? All reasonable questions to ask, but there were many

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01:49:47

Episode 27 - Groundhog Day

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/07/29

The disappointment is real. SKC get summarily smacked by LAFC in the 2nd half on Saturday then score no goals on 31 shots(creating a whopping 1.3xG) against a USL team getting knocked out on penalties in the Open Cup semi-final vs. Sacramento. This feeling is all too familiar this season. There is plenty of blame to go around, and we discuss many of the places it could/should reside. The Fire Vermes pitchforks are out, and we discuss if they are appropriate, and what the potential for such a move

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01:48:45

Episode 26 - The return of Cody's favorite adjective

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/07/21

Grim is right. SKC got thoroughly outplayed by RSL at the end of this 3 game road trip, and there were few positives to take from the game. We discuss why this capitulation may have occurred, reiterate how the need for perfection hurts this team's long term prospects, and discuss whether the philosophy for rotation across these games was appropriate. Also a lot of talk about roster construction, the combination of using available talent effectively, and whether we believe the Coach and Chief

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01:31:06

Episode 25 - What's this? Positivity?

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/07/16

Consecutive points on the road? In this economy? Drew and Cody discuss two very organized and functionally well played(albeit completely different) performances by SKC over the past few days. We cover the concerns with the requirement of perfection to get results, the evolution of Kayden Pierre, and the return of Rog(as long as his minutes are managed effectively). Also some discussion of the CB situation, and how it's unlikely to improve much given Kortne Ford's recent suspension. We go all in on

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01:39:51

Episode 24 - Old Men Yell at Clouds

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/07/07

Drew and Cody are a bit apoplectic. This SKC season seems to be bordering on(if not already completely) lost, and it's a tough feeling to have in early July. The team showed signs of life for the first half hour before the weather postponement, and then Struber and RBNY made significant adjustments and neutralized SKC's attack. We like the more direct play of the 8's, but they still struggle to find the game once they get to Zone 14. Kayden Pierre was also a bright spot. The veteran CB's still make

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01:41:24

Episode 23 - Taylor Twellman dot gif

Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast ·

2022/06/30

Seriously, what are we doing? Drew and Cody discuss a pretty demoralizing loss to Seattle. SKC's play wasn't overtly terrible, but this was a clear distillation of clubs in vastly different places. Schmetzer had a fantastic scheme to both keep SKC from being dangerous and to exploit them for chances. Watching Will Bruin and Kelyn Rowe be significant pieces in said scheme is hard to stomach given SKC's inability to get similar value out of the same or similar players in the past, and Drew and Cody

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