Sporting Kansas City opened the 2016 preason, presented by Children's Mercy, on Sunday at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. Head Fitness Coach Mateus Manoel warmed the team up before the annual beep test.
The veterans went first, with Graham Zusi and Seth Sinovic setting the pace and finishing a top the group. Roger Espinoza and Sporting KC newcomer, but long-time MLS standout Brad Davis trailed closely behind.
Despite the strong showing from the Sporting KC veterans, it was a pair of youngsters that showed best. Jordi Quintilla finished with the best time before admitting that this was his first time undergoing the infamous beep test. Quintilla has had a lot of success with firsts as a member of Sporting Kansas City scoring the game-winning penalty kick in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last September in his first ever penalty kick attempt.
"The one thing about Jordi is that I told him before he left that he's going to need to make sure he follows the offseason training program," Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. "He told me, I'll come back as the fitest guy and then he wasn't kidding, he did, so I'm happy for him. I like it when somebody makes a goal and then they achieve it," Vermes said.
Finishing second overall was 2016 MLS SuperDraft third round pick, Ryan James. Sporting KC selected the former Bowling Green State University midfielder No. 52 overall.
Going from a four-year start in college to a potential rookie on an MLS team, James has entered training camp with an open mind and willingless to learn from the veterans of the group. He has also not shied away from his rookie duties of picking up cones and gathering soccer balls after training.
"I want to come in here and earn other people's respect by performing on the field and the beep test is always a good opportunity to do that because fitness is an element you can control," James said.
Maneol also expressed his excitement regarding this year's beep test performance. "It was a great outcome this year compared to some previous years," he said. "And our young guys did OK. They were above our expectations, so overall, a great start to the year."
