As Sporting Kansas City’s 2022 MLS regular season home opener looms, SportingKC.com is rolling out a 15-day countdown until MLS is back at Children’s Mercy Park. Sporting begins its 2022 campaign with a visit to Mercedes Benz Stadium on Feb. 27 for a matchup with Atlanta United FC at 2 p.m CT. Sporting will then host longtime rival Houston Dynamo FC at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 5 at Children's Mercy Park.
The 2022 Preseason Countdown will provide fans with key storylines to keep an eye on as we approach Sporting’s home opener. From player highlights and coaching spotlights to new features at Children’s Mercy Park, the 2022 Preseason Countdown will highlight the many reasons to be excited for what’s ahead.
What better way to bring in the new season than by talking about our new players. While this offseason was shorter than years past, the Sporting KC front office was as busy as ever. Sporting re-signed Graham Zusi and Roger Espinoza while bringing in seven new signings. Here is a look into each of Sporting's freshest faces.
Ben Sweat #2 – Defender
Ben Sweat is an MLS veteran left back with 89 starts in 102 appearances. He comes to Sporting after stints with the Columbus Crew, New York City FC, Inter Miami, CF and Austin FC. Sweat has tallied a goal and added 11 assists in his six-year MLS career. He has two caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team and will provide experience from the left side of Sporting KC's backline.
Robert Voloder #4 – Defender
Robert Voloder is a 20-year-old, German youth international center back bringing UEFA Conference League experience to Sporting. Voloder played every minute for his former club, NK Maribor of the Slovenian PrvaLiga, netting two goals for the Purples, and posting 10 clean sheets in 20 matches. Voloder is a left-footed center back who bolsters Sporting KC’s already fantastic defensive group.
Uri Rosell #6 – Midfielder
Back for his second stint with Sporting, Uri Rosell has returned to Kansas City after competing in the Portuguese Primeira Liga and for Orlando City SC. Rosell won the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with Sporting and started 41 of 42 matches in Sporting’s 2013 MLS Cup Championship run. The Spaniard offers calmness and consistency at the defensive midfield position.
Kortne Ford #12 – Defender
Olathe native Kortne Ford comes home to Kansas City after 35 matches with the Colorado Rapids and a brief, four-goal spell with USL Championship side San Antonio FC. Ford’s first MLS goal for the Rapids actually came in a road loss to Sporting Kansas City on April 9, 2017. The 25-year-old defender gives Sporting even more depth on the backline.
Logan Ndenbe #18 – Defender
Coming from French second division side Guingamp, Logan Ndenbe is a Belgian youth international defender. The leftback competed in the UEFA Europa Conference League and made over 50 professional appearances across various European competitions. The 22-year-old provides athleticism and strength and will look to make runs down the sideline and supply crosses into the box.
Nikola Vujnovic #19 – Forward
Sporting’s most recent signing, Nikola Vujnovic was announced by the club Tuesday. Vujnovic is a 25-year-old, Montenegro Men’s National Team striker who tallied 10 goals in Serbia’s top division during the 2021-22 season. He is an excellent number nine option and has a true eye for goal.
Marinos Tzionis #27 – Forward
Marinos Tzionis is a 20-year-old winger and the first MLS player from Cyprus. Tzionis joins Sporting after 88 appearances and 15 goals with his hometown club Omonia Nicosia. He appeared in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League and has already made 13 appearances Cyprus' Men’s National Team. Tzionis compliments an already impressive group of Sporting KC wingers.
