Erik Thommy, captain of Sporting Kansas City this season, is recognized by teammates and staff for his leadership style, which emphasizes respect and personal connection. Thommy explained his approach: “I respect everyone. It doesn’t matter who it is. If it’s a staff member, if it’s a player, everyone needs to be treated the same way. That’s my mentality. I want the same respect that I give to others.”
His leadership extends beyond formal duties, with players noting his supportive presence in the locker room and willingness to mentor younger teammates. The team has become younger over recent years, now averaging around 26 years old. Thommy reflected on this transition: “Yeah, it’s a completely different team,” he says. “But we have really good guys in our club. If it’s like either on the team or the staff or whatever, everything around it feels different, obviously.”
He continued: “Because I remember when I came first, three years ago, I wouldn’t say one of the youngest, but I was a young player compared to the other guys in our team. And now, during two years, everything changed.”
Now one of the more experienced members of Sporting Kansas City, Thommy sees his role as an opportunity to set an example for emerging players: “So, I kind of like it, because you need to be a good example for the young players and show them the right path. I know my role in the team, and like I said, I like it. I like it. And I’m that guy who loves to help people and help them to take the next step.”
Thommy also acknowledged how taking on more responsibility helps him grow personally: “For me, it’s also a big responsibility. And also, for me, some more steps ahead, which I have to take. So, it’s a good thing for me as well.”
Off the field and during travel with Sporting Kansas City, Thommy often spends time playing cards with teammates Nemanja Radoja, Tim Leibold and Jake Davis—a tradition started by former teammate Marinos Tzionis.
When asked about what grounds him outside soccer responsibilities and leadership roles within Sporting Kansas City’s squad this season—which has seen significant changes—Thommy cited family as central: if given a choice to teleport anywhere instantly he would choose home with his wife and daughter.
As he described his outlook on both challenging moments and successes with Sporting Kansas City: “We all have bad times and good times,” he says. “But we need to stick to the positivity we have and just enjoy what we’re doing because I think it’s actually one of the best things we can do right now especially as a player.”
On June 2nd 2025 Thommy reached his 350th professional club appearance—a milestone highlighted by Sporting Kansas City.
