There's a new captain in town, and his name is Johnny Russell.
Appointed as Sporting Kansas City's new skipper heading into the 2021 MLS season, Russell has won over supporters over the last three years as one of the most entertaining, animated and charismatic players in Major League Soccer. The 30-year-old Scottish international has made a profound impact on and off the pitch during his time in Kansas City, and with newly acquired captaincy duties added to the mix, Russell looks set for even bigger and better things in Sporting Blue.
Russell was the star of the show this week in the newest episode of No Other Pod, a Sporting-centric podcast hosted by passionate and well-informed supporters Jimmy Mack and Daniel Kooser. Reporting from the club's preseason training camp in Arizona, Russell provided an update on preparations for the 2021 campaign, his thoughts on the captaincy, the development of rising Academy stars such as Wilson Harris, his best locker room pranks and much more.
Listen to the full episode below and subscribe to No Other Pod via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher as Mack and Kooser provide thorough coverage throughout the 2021 season.
Russell, who assisted a goal in Sporting's 4-0 preseason win over Phoenix Rising FC last weekend, has been an integral figure at Sporting since his arrival in 2018. He has amassed 27 goals and 30 assists in 96 competitive matches for Sporting, guiding the team to first-place finishes in the Western Conference in 2018 and 2020.
Russell's fine form with Sporting has resulted in several recent call-ups to the Scotland Men's National Team, although the COVID-19 pandemic prevented him from joining Scotland in 2020. He has 14 caps for his country and is currently in contention for a coveted roster spot ahead of the highly anticipated UEFA Euro this summer.
After being named Sporting’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019, Russell earned 2020 team MVP honors to punctuate an excellent third season in Kansas City. He was tied for the team lead with six goals in the regular season—including two game-winners—and placed second with four assists. The only Sporting player to appear in all 25 competitive matches last year, Russell also led the side with 31 chances created and 42 dribbles completed.
