Throughout 2024, various Sporting Kansas City players have been called in to represent their countries on the international stage. With the final FIFA window in 2024 now in the rearview mirror, let’s take a look back and celebrate five Sporting KC players for their contributions to their national teams.
Stephen Afrifa | Canada
- September International Window
- November Training Hub
Sporting KC forward Stephen Afrifa capitalized on his breakout campaign with the club, where he tallied six goals and three assists in all competitions, to earn his first-ever international call-up to Canada during the September International Window.
Afrifa earned his international debut for the Reds with a substitute appearance against the U.S. Men’s National Team on Sept. 7 at Children’s Mercy Park, before earning his second cap against Mexico on Sept. 10.
Afrifa later spent a week with the Canadian National Team for a Training Hub in Toronto ahead of the November International Window.
Zorhan Bassong | Canada
- October International Window
- November Training Hub
In his first season with Sporting KC, Zorhan Bassong enjoyed a fruitful transition to central midfield for the closing stages of the season, having initially been signed as a left back.
Bassong’s excellent performances in the heart Sporting’s midfield led to renewed international attention, as the 25-year-old was recalled to the Canadian National Team during the October International Window – his first involvement with the national team since earning two caps in 2020.
Alongside club teammate Afrifa, Bassong was also included in the Reds’ Training Hub in Toronto in early November.
Jake Davis | United States U-23s
- Summer Olympics in France
In a campaign where he ultimately was named Sporting KC MVP, Academy product Jake Davis continued his rapid progress on the field as he shifted from right back to central midfield halfway through the 2024 season.
Despite not being called in for any of the pre-Olympic national team camps but in fine form for Sporting KC heading into the summer months, Davis was a surprise inclusion as an alternate player for the United States Under-23 National Team for the Summer Olympics in France. Davis, joined by club teammate John Pulskamp, spent approximately a month with the U.S. Olympic squad in Europe from July 8 through Aug. 2.
John Pulskamp | United States U-23s
- Summer Olympics in France
Goalkeeper John Pulskamp continued to earn minutes for Sporting KC in 2024, starting nine matches in all competitions as he continued his development during his fifth season with the first team.
After training with the U.S. Under-23s during the team’s camp in Kansas City heading into a friendly with Japan on June 11, Pulskamp was tabbed as an alternate player for the Olympic Team, spending a month with the squad in France alongside teammate Davis.
Alenis Vargas | Honduras
- March International Window
- October Training Hub
- November International Window
Forward Alenis Vargas made the step up from SKC II to the Sporting KC first team heading into the 2024 campaign and enjoyed some major moments, scoring his first MLS goal against Toronto FC on March 30 before bagging a late game-winner in the 2-1 win over Seattle on June 8.
Vargas’ performances did not go unnoticed by the Honduras National Team, as the 20-year-old earned his first call-up to any level of the Honduras National Team when he was selected to the senior team during the March International Window.
Vargas, who is still awaiting his first cap with Honduras, later concluded the 2024 campaign with inclusion for Honduras’ October Training Hub, leading to another call-up for the November International Window.
