MLS: Orlando City at Sporting Kansas City” class=”w-full rounded-md”/>Aug 24, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes on field after the win over Orlando City at Children’s Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes will officiate his 500th regular-season game Sunday in Seattle, becoming the first in Major League Soccer history to do so for a team.
But Vermes won’t stop at this milestone, as Sporting KC (7-14-7, 28 points) enters the weekend eight points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Despite Alan Pulido’s goal, Sporting KC is coming off a 1-1 draw last Saturday against the host New York Red Bulls, in which they allowed the equalizing goal in the 89th minute.
“We really should have picked up three points last week,” Vermes said. “Nothing is over until it’s over, but we have to keep picking up points.”
The Sounders (12-9-7, 43 points), who are fifth in the West, won 4-0 in Columbus last weekend, when Albert Rusnak recorded his first professional hat trick. Seattle got a reprieve when Crew goalie Abraham Romero was red-carded late in the first half. With two other goalies on international duty, the Crew was forced to use a position player in goal for the remainder of the game.
Rusnak scored from a free-kick in first-half stoppage time, immediately after the red card, and added two more goals in the second half.
“I felt a little more pressure taking the free kick than if there was a real goalkeeper in goal,” Rusnak admitted. “I felt like I had to score, because he’s an outfield player.”
“It wasn’t fair that he came in as a goalkeeper, but it was the only solution they had.”
The Sounders are 8-2-1 in their last 11 league games dating back to a 2-1 loss on June 8 at Kansas City. SKC’s Alenis Vargas scored the game-winner in the 85th minute when Seattle was down a man after Reed Baker-Whiting was red-carded in the 73rd minute.
Sunday’s game will be the first of a three-game homestand for the Sounders.
“We can get a little bit of a run going here,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. “That would boost everybody’s morale, and that’s what I’m hoping for.”
–Field level media
How many regular-season games has Peter Vermes officiated for Sporting Kansas City?
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Title: Peter Vermes to Make History as First MLS Coach to Officiate 500 Regular-Season Games for a Single Team
Meta Description: Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes is set to make history by officiating his 500th regular-season game for a single team in MLS. As he reaches this milestone, Vermes remains focused on leading his team to the playoffs.
Keywords: Peter Vermes, Sporting Kansas City, MLS, regular-season games, coaching milestone, playoffs, Western Conference, Seattle Sounders, Alan Pulido, Albert Rusnak
Image Alt Text: Peter Vermes, head coach of Sporting Kansas City, on the field after a win over Orlando City at Children’s Mercy Park.
As the MLS season approaches its climax, Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes is on the cusp of making history. This Sunday, Vermes will become the first coach in Major League Soccer history to officiate 500 regular-season games for a single team when his side takes on the Seattle Sounders.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to Vermes’ dedication, passion, and longevity in the sport. Since taking the reins at Sporting Kansas City in 2009, Vermes has established himself as one of the most successful and enduring coaches in the league.
However, Vermes is not content to rest on his laurels. With his team currently eight points adrift of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, he is fully focused on guiding Sporting Kansas City to the postseason. “We really should have picked up three points last week,” Vermes said, referring to his team’s 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls. “Nothing is over until it’s over, but we have to keep picking up points.”
The road to the playoffs will not be easy, especially with a tough opponent like the Seattle Sounders awaiting on Sunday. The Sounders, who currently occupy fifth spot in the West, are fresh from a convincing 4-0 win over Columbus Crew. Albert Rusnak was the star of the show, netting his first professional hat trick in a match that was heavily influenced by the Crew’s goalkeeper, Abraham Romero, being red-carded late in the first half.
Rusnak’s exploits were all the more impressive given the unusual circumstances. With two other goalies on international duty, the Crew was forced to deploy a position player in goal for the remainder of the game. “I felt a little more pressure taking the free kick than if there was a real goalkeeper in goal,” Rusnak admitted. “I felt like I had to score, because he’s an outfield player.”
Despite the challenges they face, Vermes remains optimistic about his team’s prospects. With 28 points from 28 games, Sporting Kansas City still has everything to play for. And with Vermes at the helm, they have every chance of securing a playoff berth.
As he approaches his 500th regular-season game, Vermes is an inspiration to coaches and players alike. His longevity, experience, and winning mentality make him a formidable force in the MLS. As the league continues to grow and evolve, Vermes’ achievements serve as a reminder of the importance of stability, consistency, and dedication in the world of professional soccer.
So, as Sporting Kansas City prepares to face the Seattle Sounders on Sunday, Vermes will take his place in the history books, but his focus will be firmly on the present. With the playoffs within reach, he will stop at nothing to ensure his team secures a spot among the top seven teams in the Western Conference.
What does this milestone mean for Peter Vermes and Sporting Kansas City?
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Title: Peter Vermes to Make History as First MLS Coach to Officiate 500 Regular-Season Games for a Single Team
Meta Description: Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes is set to make history by officiating his 500th regular-season game for a single team in MLS. As he reaches this milestone, Vermes remains focused on leading his team to the playoffs.
Keywords: Peter Vermes, Sporting Kansas City, MLS, regular-season games, coaching milestone, playoffs, Western Conference, Seattle Sounders, Alan Pulido, Albert Rusnak
Image Alt Text: Peter Vermes, head coach of Sporting Kansas City, on the field after a win over Orlando City at Children’s Mercy Park.
As the MLS season approaches its climax, Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes is on the cusp of making history. This Sunday, Vermes will become the first coach in Major League Soccer history to officiate 500 regular-season games for a single team when his side takes on the Seattle Sounders.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to Vermes’ dedication, passion, and longevity in the sport. Since taking the reins at Sporting Kansas City in 2009, Vermes has established himself as one of the most successful and enduring coaches in the league.
However,
