Running throughout the season on Sports Radio 810 WHB, the Sporting Kansas City Show presented by Michelob Ultra is available on several podcast hubs including Spotify and iTunes as well as SportingKC.com. With Nate Bukaty, Aly Trost and Conall McCourt hosting the weekly program, Sporting fans have a place to go to catch up on club storylines, guest interviews and more.
The newest episode of the Sporting Kansas City Show Podcast, presented by Michelob Ultra, debuted Tuesday night on Sports Radio 810 WHB as hosts Nate Bukaty, Aly Trost and Conall McCourt welcomed center back Nicolas Isimat-Mirin to the program.
Arriving to Kansas City ahead of the 2021 campaign, the highly decorated French defender boasts a decade of experience across the French Ligue 1, Dutch Eredivisie and Turkish Super Lig. Isimat-Mirin started in Sporting's first two matches before missing almost three months through injury. He has since bounced back with starts in Sporting's last two outings, a 1-1 home draw against the San Jose Earthquakes and an eye-opening 3-1 road victory over first-place Seattle Sounders FC.
Isimat-Mirin's return has coincided with Sporting's excellent form during the month of July, something that will come as no surprise to teammates who call him "Isi."
"Everything is new for me this year," Isimat-Mirin said. "New environment, new league, new players, new staff. But it looks very similar to what I am used to in Europe with the mentality. I have been (pleasantly) surprised about so many things: the stadium, the facilities, the fans. Football is becoming bigger and bigger here and I love the intensity of the league.
"I got a (hamstring) injury but big applause to the staff and the people who helped me every day. They got me back on the field quickly and I'm very happy about that. Now I am working hard to help the team every weekend."
Isimat-Mirin has played over 250 professional matches since 2010, including 93 appearances each in Ligue 1 and the Eredivisie. He notably won three league titles as an integral member of PSV Eindhoven and competed in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Wielding a laudible resume, Isimat-Mirin said the level of play in MLS has impressed him greatly.
"Everyone is ready to run box to box, it's crazy" he said. "You need to be sharp in MLS. We have a quality manager and coach who can help us get a grip on the game. My teammates have been trying their best and we have had a good season. I'm happy to be a part of that.
"I had expectations about the league and my expectations were quite good. I wanted a new challenge with the objective to fit in and play a (big) role on this team," he said. "The concept of the playoffs for me is very exciting and bring a new challenge. There are a lot of positive signs."
The entirety of Isimat-Mirin's interview is well worth watching in the video above. Bukaty, Trost and McCourt also spend a significant amount of time discussing the new addition to the Sporting Club ownership group, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes. One of the most recognizable athletes in the world, Mahomes has become part owner of a Sporting Kansas City organization that has contributed valuably to Kansas City's aura as a championship city alongside the Chiefs and Royals.
Isimat-Mirin and second-place Sporting (9-3-3, 30 points) will look to continue their winning ways Saturday when they host FC Dallas (3-7-5, 14 points) in the annual Sporting Salutes match sponsored by Hallmark. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. CT showdown at Children’s Mercy Park are available at SeatGeek.com, including Family Four-Packs consisting of four general admission tickets, four Coca-Cola products and four Domino’s pizzas.
Fans can also catch the action live on Bally Sports Kansas City, Bally Sports Midwest Plus, BallySports.com and the Bally Sports app as well as Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM.
