Since the turn of the decade, few teams in Major League Soccer have experienced as much on-field success as Sporting Kansas City. And during that time, few players have been more synonymous with the club’s trophy-laden run than left back and Kansas City native Seth Sinovic.
With nine seasons and four major championships under his belt, Sinovic has reached the culmination of his tenure at Sporting Kansas City. The club announced roster moves on Thursday and will decline Sinovic’s contract option for the 2020 campaign.
The end of Sinovic’s stint with Sporting will resonate strongly in Kansas City soccer circles, as the veteran defender’s contributions over the last several years helped Manager Peter Vermes’ side remain a perennial title contender in MLS.
In terms of longevity and trophies won with the club, Sinovic ranks among the absolute best in Sporting history. Alongside teammates Matt Besler and Graham Zusi, he holds the special distinction of starting in all four of Sporting’s cup final victories this decade—namely the 2013 MLS Cup and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup finals in 2012, 2015 and 2017.
Sinovic, who joined his hometown team in 2011 after spending his 2010 rookie campaign with the New England Revolution, also cracks Sporting’s top 10 all-time in several statistical categories, including the following:
- 257 appearances (7th), 245 starts (6th) and 21,791 minutes (6th) in all competitions
- 210 appearances (8th), 200 starts (8th) and 17,738 minutes (9th) in the MLS regular season
- 16 appearances in the Concacaf Champions League (1st)
- 16 appearances in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (t-5th)
- 15 appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs (t-9th)
With four goals and 16 assists in a Sporting uniform, Sinovic is the hero behind one of the most iconic moments in team history: his sweet left-footed strike against New England in the decisive second leg of the 2013 Eastern Conference Semifinals at Children’s Mercy Park helped Sporting erase an aggregate deficit and advance to the next round.
In addition to playing an instrumental role for Sporting on the field, Sinovic has been extremely active in the community. Named the club’s Neal and Jeanne Patterson Humanitarian of the Year in 2017, Sinovic regularly visited Children’s Mercy Hospital and participated in a variety of activities tied to The Victory Project, the philanthropic arm of Sporting KC dedicated to helping children and families affected by childhood cancer and other serious challenges.
