Sporting KC fans wanted a game-changer, but this is what they got instead | OneFootball

Sporting Kansas City struck in the market and acquired a name who is not necessarily flashy, but is experienced and comes with an MLS pedigree. Andrew Brody, 29, has signed through the club to 2025 and is part of the elements in the side's quest to return among the league's top sides.

This signing does raise a few questions. Is Brody arriving as a guaranteed starter? Was Sporting KC really needing this addition? Or is he merely another rotation option within the group? Let's take a closer look at the influence of this signing and what it could mean for the team's season.

Who is Andrew Brody, and what does he bring to Sporting KC?

If there’s one thing Brody can’t be criticized for, it’s a lack of MLS experience. Over four seasons with Real Salt Lake, he racked up 133 appearances, 2 goals, and 17 assists.

Furthermore, his time in the Real Salt Lake Development Academy and University of Louisville made him a tactically sound and complete player. His time with Real Monarchs, RSL's former USL Championship affiliate, also cemented his reputation as a steady, reliable player, not a superstar, but a workman who produces results.

Is that enough, though, for a Sporting KC team that is trying to find its way back into the MLS Cup Playoffs?

Did Sporting KC really require a player of Brody's caliber?

Sporting KC was having a tentative 2024 season. They were caught mid-stream between pockets of promise and frustration, leaving it clear that roster adjustments needed to be made.

Defensively, the team was spasmodic, conceding goals at pivotal moments. Bringing in Brody could be a move to provide the defense with more balance as he's a guy who plays at a steady level without significant drops.

But the side also needed attacking reinforcements, and Sporting KC does seem to be well aware of that. Aside from Brody, they also brought in more established names like Dejan Joveljić, who used to play for LA Galaxy, and the attacking duo Manu García and Shapi Suleymanov, both of Aris Thessaloniki.

This indicates that the front office is attempting to balance out the roster, combining defensive depth with additional firepower on the front lines. The question is if these maneuvers will prove sufficient to place the team among the Western Conference's top contenders.

Is Brody a starter or merely a bench warmer?

Brody's role in Sporting KC is not quite definitive yet. Will he be a full-time starter, or is he just another depth piece? Given competition for his position, he could quite possibly find himself receiving significant minutes, but he doesn't enter as an uncontested first option. If he wants a role in the starting lineup, he'll need to make an immediate impact.

His playing style could be well-suited for a Sporting KC that needs defensive stability. However, in matches where the team would like to be more attacking on the outside, Brody could be behind other attacking fullbacks in the pecking order.

The pressure builds for Sporting KC

The 2025 season gets under way this Saturday against Austin FC, and Sporting KC needs to show them they can move forward. The club is doing whatever it takes to get back into the MLS Cup Playoffs, so they need a more evenly balanced, more defensive-minded team.

The offseason free agency additions have been interesting, and Brody is there too. He isn't going to be the player who changes the team on his own, but he can be a consistent, steady element in the system.

Now it is all about game performance. If Brody can offer consistent defensive solidity, then this signing can prove to be a clever one. Else, he runs the risk of being just another name on the rotation team.