After plying his trade for a pair of Western Conference rivals over the last season and a half, Benny Feilhaber is back.
Sporting acquired the veteran playmaker in a trade from the Colorado Rapid last week, sealed his return to a club for which he starred from 2013-2017.
As Feilhaber prepares for his first home appearance of the season on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park, there’s no better time to revisit 20 of his greatest moments in a Sporting Kansas City uniform.
Let’s jump into it chronologically. Part 2 is below, consisting of the final 10. Click here for Part 1, consisting of the first 10.
Run to the Cup (The entire 2015 U.S. Open Cup run)
We admit to cheating here. But combining several moments into one is the only appropriate way to encapsulate the standout performances Feilhaber delivered throughout the 2015 U.S. Open Cup. He notched three assists in the Round of 16, scored dramatic goals in the quarterfinals and semifinals, then held his nerve in the shootout that won the final in Philadelphia.
Dallas Double (Sept. 18, 2015)
A few weeks before hoisting his first Open Cup, Feilhaber single-handedly lifted Sporting past FC Dallas in a big regular-season victory.
One of the Best (Nov. 3, 2015)
Feilhaber was announced as one of three MLS MVP finalists on this day in 2015, joining former teammate Kei Kamara and eventual winner Sebastian Giovinco.
Delivering on Decision Day (Oct. 23, 2016)
Sporting absolutely needed to win to clinch a sixth straight playoff berth on Decision Day, and thanks in part to the contributions of Feilhaber—one goal and one assist, thank you very much—Manager Peter Vermes’ men did just that against San Jose.
Seattle Sound-Off (Oct. 27, 2016)
Feilhaber was the best player on the pitch in a heartbreaking Knockout Round loss at Seattle to end the 2016 season. A few tough officiating calls went against Sporting throughout the night, and Feilhaber’s postgame remarks remain a golden soundbite.
Back with the Nats (Feb. 3, 2017)
Feilhaber’s consistency in Kansas City paid off with a return to the U.S. Men’s National Team at the start of 2017. He made his mark with the game-winning assist to Jordan Morris in a 1-0 friendly win over Serbia that February.
Sinking RSL (April 29, 2017)
Feilhaber had a knack for putting RSL to the sword. Arguably no player was more responsible for kindling the rivalry than him, which made this sublime strike all the sweeter.
Benny on the Bike (July 29, 2017)
Feilhaber’s bicycle kick goal in a 3-2 win over the Chicago Fire provided one of the best flashbulb moments of the 2017 season.
One More Trophy (Sept. 20, 2017)
True to form, Feilhaber delivered the goods when the stakes were highest. His game-winning assist to Daniel Salloi was an appropriate bow on Sporting’s Open Cup run.
Back in Sporting Blue (May 8, 2019)
And so the newest chapter of Feilhaber’s career in Kansas City has begun.
