KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City’s interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin discussed the team’s approach and lineup adjustments following a 2-1 defeat against Real Salt Lake. Zavagnin explained the reasoning behind changes to the starting eleven, including bringing in Joaquin Fernandez and Logan Ndenbe for their athleticism and energy. He also noted that with Jacob Bartlett and Jake Davis in midfield, the team opted for a more defensive formation on the road.

“In the first half, outside of their goal, I thought we handled the half in a decent way. To give up a goal five minutes before halftime was a little disheartening despite the fact that we didn’t create a lot on the first half. That’s one of the things you get when you play with a defensive-minded midfield,” Zavagnin said.

He added that substitutions were planned to add attacking options: “We decided around the 55th minute that we were going to bring on Mason (Toye) and (Erik) Thommy to give us a little more firepower down 1-0. Joaquin needed a sub, so we made those three changes right after their (second) goal unfortunately. Those changes were going to be coming when the game was 1-0.”

Zavagnin highlighted how Sporting KC increased pressure late in the match: “Once we started changing the group a little bit and Salt Lake maybe took their foot off the gas, to insert the quality that was did with Manu (Garcia)—it was great to see him again. It was great to see Thommy again, and then (Santi) Munoz and Mason. I thought we put them under significant pressure. The goal was well deserved on our part.”

Reflecting on conceding just before halftime, Zavagnin stated: “For a good part of the half, we remained compact and brought our defensive line back to the top of the circle. I think we were difficult to play through, but in that moment when the ball went out of bounds, we turned off for a second and we started to drop off and we half-committed to the game... Those are the things that have bit us this year, and certainly the timing of that goal coming into halftime impacted us in the second half.”

Regarding returning midfielders Manu Garcia and Erik Thommy, Zavagnin said: “Of course you can see just in their limited minutes how the game changes. They’re difference makers within the group... The ability to break down a low block and a compact defense was really noticeable with Manu being able to open the game and Thommy surging forward with his runs and his shots from distance.”

He also commented on center back Alan Montes’ performance: “He had a lot of composure with the ball... Montes really kept his composure on the ball, was able to get out of some difficult situations and take advantage of certain moments in the game by finding Manu and Thommy... I think he handled those moments extremely well.”

Forward Daniel Salloi shared his perspective after Sporting KC’s loss: “It is a difficult place to play. They have a lot of really good individuals, and they can shine in different moments in the game. They just know how they want to break a team down, and they did it well. I thought we came back and had a little energy in the second half, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.”

Salloi also welcomed Garcia’s and Thommy’s return from injury: “I’m happy for health. We need them. We need everyone... Erik is an unbelievable player who pushes the team in many different ways. Manu is the same... I’ve proud of them and hopefully they can contribute to some wins in the last games.”