Chad Smith
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chadcsmith.bsky.social
Chad Smith
@chadcsmith.bsky.social
2.4K followers 140 following 3.1K posts
Covering Sporting Kansas City, the KC Current and SKC II for @kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social, Co-host of @fortheglorykc.bsky.social
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chadcsmith.bsky.social
Kansas City is the belle of the ball!

Apparently they are considering hosting a 4th team for the #WorldCup

www.kshb.com/sports/world...
Swope Soccer Village emerges as possible 4th World Cup base camp in Kansas City
Swope Soccer Village, which formerly served as Sporting Kansas City’s training ground, has emerged as a possible fourth FIFA World Cup 26 base camp site, KSHB 41 News has learned.
www.kshb.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:29 AM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
A new @fortheglorykc.bsky.social is out. This week:

- #SportingKC have a new owner
- An SKC signing and a bunch of rumors
- KC Current schedule release and more #KCBaby news

kcsoccerjournal.com/01/19/2026/s...
Sporting KC are Under New Ownership
Sporting Kansas City had an incredibly busy week between new ownership, a roster move and a bunch of rumors.
kcsoccerjournal.com
January 19, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Chad Smith
zavcurrent.bsky.social
The Women’s Champions Cup is not a cup. It is, oh so logically, a flat dish. #pedantry
theolloydhughes.bsky.social Theo Lloyd-Hughes @theolloydhughes.bsky.social · 19h
🏆 NEWS: FIFA has unveiled what the new trophy will look like for the inaugural Women's Champions Cup.

All 6 FIFA confederations feature on the shield-like circular piece of golden 'silverware'.
January 19, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Chad Smith
jtannenwald.bsky.social
The present spread of talent scouts (hired by U.S. Soccer part-time) and talent reporters (volunteers), and the planned totals and geography for 2027 and 2028.

A pretty clear way to show the scale of the challenge:
January 17, 2026 at 4:31 PM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
Wicky: "I have shown that I will give players possibilities when they're young, but it's not about age. When they're good, they show me every day, ‘Hey, I'm ready. I'm good. I can do the work.’" #SportingKC

www.mlssoccer.com/news/raphael...
Raphael Wicky tackles second MLS act with Sporting KC rebuild | MLSSoccer.com
Amid a sweeping rebuild, Sporting Kansas City enter 2026 as a de facto expansion team in the eyes of many observers around MLS.
www.mlssoccer.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:18 PM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
#SportingKC did what they failed to all of the 2025 preseason, they won a game!

Also:
- The highlight (singular)
- Who played
- And who didn't play

kcsoccerjournal.com/01/18/2026/s...
Sporting KC Win Their Preseason Opener
Sporting Kansas City did what they failed to in the 2025 preseason, despite six attempts. They won a game!
kcsoccerjournal.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:56 PM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
ESPN Peru and numerous other outlets are reporting Cesar Inga from Universitario de Deportes to #SportingKC is done for a significant fee.

Everything we know 🔽

kcsoccerjournal.com/01/17/2026/r...
Rumor: ESPN Has Sporting KC Paying over $1 Million for Cesar Inga
On again, off again rumored signing Cesar Inga appears to be happening according to reliable sources.
kcsoccerjournal.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:28 AM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
England, Argentina and the Netherlands all want to do base camp in Kansas City. #WorldCup

www.kansascity.com/sports/fifa-...
England has made formal request to FIFA to have base camp in KC, per reports
England has officially asked FIFA for permission to set up a base camp for the 2026 World Cup in Kansas City, according to news outlets.
www.kansascity.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:25 AM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
“What you’re going to see next season is a big, big financial commitment,” he said, “to do whatever it takes to build upon what we’re building upon this season. " #SportingKC

www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-c...
‘Big, big financial commitment.’ New SKC owner Peter Mallouk shares plan for team
Sporting Kansas City’s new majority owner, Peter Mallouk, says winning is “99.5%” of his priority.
www.kansascity.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:19 AM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
“We might start the season without [Temwa and Cooper], and this is tricky. We’ll know more in the next (few) weeks,” Armas said.

That's not what you want to hear... #KCBaby

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
KC Current coach says timing of NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga’s return ‘still unclear’
Forward Michelle Cooper was also placed on the SEI list for Kansas City.
www.nytimes.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:18 PM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
#SportingKC have an unbelievable amount of money available to spend on their roster. And that was before they got a new majority owner.

The moves keep not work out so far, but there is reason for long-term optimism.

kcsoccerjournal.com/01/16/2026/t...
The Moves Keep Falling Through, but Sporting KC have a Ton to Spend
The math is tough to do, but Sporting Kansas City are absolutely loaded with money to spend on their roster. They just gotta close the deals.
kcsoccerjournal.com
January 17, 2026 at 6:01 AM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
And there is the confirmation that Mallouk is buying #SportingKC from Sam McDowell at the KC Star

www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-c...
Sporting Kansas City owners sell majority stake in team. Here are the details
OnGoal — Neal Patterson, Cliff Illig, Pat Curran, Greg Maday and Robb Heineman — bought the then-Wizards from Lamar Hunt in 2006.
www.kansascity.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:50 AM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
New owner has to be Peter Mallouk (though I don't know that for sure) #SportingKC
January 17, 2026 at 2:28 AM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
On the Armas hire: "Andonovski officially was part of what constituted a three-person hiring committee."

It feels like "technically" he was on the panel, but was outvoted by his two owners. No proof, just my gut feeling. #KCBaby

www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-c...
Why new KC Current coach looks to Vlatko Andonovski, literally and figuratively
“I see how he’s seeing the game,” Chris Armas said.
www.kansascity.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:41 PM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
Lots of beautiful #NWSL schedule data. #KCBaby
ajsportstat.bsky.social ajsportstat @ajsportstat.bsky.social · 4d
NWSL schedule is out so I made some visuals! Will be publishing a link to interactive versions later today, but for now I'm posting static versions below 👇🧵
January 16, 2026 at 12:36 PM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
The NWSL over here trying to force me to buy Prime to keep up with the Current. Sheena is going to be unhappy. #KCBaby
ajsportstat.bsky.social ajsportstat @ajsportstat.bsky.social · 4d
Visual 6: Broadcasters of games, by team. Note that each team's sum adds up to 29 since Decision Day broadcasting is still TBD.
A graph showing how many games each broadcasting partner is showing for each team in the 2026 NWSL season.
January 16, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Reposted by Chad Smith
mikedkuhn.bsky.social
So the Cesar Ingo move looks like it could actually be happening now. #SportingKC
A further update from the other place.
January 15, 2026 at 11:00 PM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
Hence why Temwa and Cooper likely remain on the SEI
tayvincent6.bsky.social Taylor Vincent @tayvincent6.bsky.social · 4d
NWSL Reminder: It is beneficial for teams and their salary caps to put people retroactively on the 2025 SEI list even if they are expected to play in 2026. There is a reduced salary cap hit of that player which is prorated to how much time they were not on active roster.
January 16, 2026 at 12:31 PM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
$150,000 was the last year of Harris' rookie deal on his Generation adidas contract.

Likely due a raise. #SportingKC
kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social KC Soccer Journal @kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social · 4d
#SportingKC signed 25-year-old English winger, Calvin Harris. Should be competition for Shapi.

He signed a 1.5 year contract with an option for another season. He made $150,000 for #Rapids96 last season.

kcsoccerjournal.com/01/15/2026/s...
Sporting KC signs free agent forward Calvin Harris
Former Colorado winger joins SKC
kcsoccerjournal.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:52 AM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
Doyle hits the whole Western Conference. On #SportingKC he has a nugget we've heard: All those U22 signings at NYCFC weren't David Lee's. Some were thrust upon him by CFG.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/western...
Western Conference: Breaking down every team's premium roster slot status | MLSSoccer.com
Let's take a team-by-team look at where all 30 MLS clubs stand re: how they’re using their Designated Player and U22 Initiative slots. Think of it as a refresher as teams around the league report for ...
www.mlssoccer.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:49 AM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
The KC Current's 2026 schedule is out:

- 30 regular season games
- 1 moved #NWSLChallengeCup final
- 2 Teal Rising Cup games (TBD)
+ playoffs (if all goes well)

The details 👇

kcsoccerjournal.com/01/15/2026/2...
2026 KC Current Schedule Released
The Kansas City Current have 30 regular season games, at least three additional games and potentially the playoffs in 2026.
kcsoccerjournal.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Chad Smith
kansascitycurrent.bsky.social
PSA: #KCBABY IS OFFICIALLY BACK ‼️

The 2026 @nwslsoccer.com schedule is here!! Which match are you most excited for? 👀
2026 full schedule March 14 – vs. UTA – 3PM March 22 – at CHI – 1PM March 25 – at SEA – 8PM March 28 – at POR – 3PM April 4 – vs. GFC – 3PM April 24 – at WAS – 7PM May 2 – at NC – 5:30PM May 10 – vs. CHI – 11:30AM May 15 – vs. HOU – 7PM May 20 – at LA – 9PM May 24 – vs. POR – 12PM May 30 – vs. BOS – 12:30PM July 3 – at DEN – 8:30PM July 10 – at ORL – 7PM July 17 – vs. SD – 7PM July 25 – at BOS – 4PM July 29 – vs. LOU – 7PM Aug. 1 – vs. LA – 5:30 Aug. 8 – at HOU – 7:45PM Aug. 14 – at GFC – 7PM Aug. 22 – vs. SEA – 5:30PM Aug. 29 – vs. NC – 5:30PM Sept. 4 – at BAY – 9PM Sept. 11 – vs. ORL – 7PM Sept. 18 – at SD – 7PM Sept. 26 – vs. DEN – 11:30AM Oct. 3 – vs. BAY – 5:30PM Oct. 17 – at UTA – 5:30PM Oct. 25 – vs. WAS – 4PM Oct. 17 – at UTA – 5:30PM Nov. 1 – at LOU – 4PM 2026 KC Current Home Schedule with photos of Lo'eau LaBonta, Claire Hutton, and Temwa Chawinga March 14 – vs. UTA – 3PM April 4 – vs. GFC – 3PM May 10 – vs. CHI – 11:30AM May 15 – vs. HOU – 7PM May 24 – vs. POR – 12PM May 30 – vs. BOS – 12:30PM July 17 – vs. SD – 7PM July 29 – vs. LOU – 7PM Aug. 1 – vs. LA – 5:30 Aug. 22 – vs. SEA – 5:30PM Aug. 29 – vs. NC – 5:30PM Sept. 11 – vs. ORL – 7PM Sept. 26 – vs. DEN – 11:30AM Oct. 3 – vs. BAY – 5:30PM Oct. 25 – vs. WAS – 4PM 2026 KC Current Away Schedule with photos of Michelle Cooper, Izzy Rodriguez, and Debinha March 22 – at CHI – 1PM March 25 – at SEA – 8PM March 28 – at POR – 3PM April 24 – at WAS – 7PM May 2 – at NC – 5:30PM May 20 – at LA – 9PM July 3 – at DEN – 8:30PM July 10 – at ORL – 7PM July 25 – at BOS – 4PM Aug. 8 – at HOU – 7:45PM Aug. 14 – at GFC – 7PM Sept. 4 – at BAY – 9PM Sept. 18 – at SD – 7PM Oct. 17 – at UTA – 5:30PM Nov. 1 – at LOU – 4PM
January 15, 2026 at 4:01 PM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
The #NWSL Challenge Cup between the KC Current and NJ/NY Gotham has been moved from February 21st to June 26th.

It's going to be in Columbus, Ohio and airs on Prime. #KCBaby
January 15, 2026 at 8:21 PM
chadcsmith.bsky.social
#SportingKC are trying to add to their roster.

Here is a rare glimpse at the inner workings of a bizarre transfer that ultimately fell apart. (h/t to @mikedkuhn.bsky.social for finding this gem)

kcsoccerjournal.com/01/15/2026/s...
Sporting KC Put in the Middle of a Bizarre Transfer Situation for Ugandan Forward
Sporting Kansas City apparently bid $1 million for a Ugandan striker, Rogers Mato.
kcsoccerjournal.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by Chad Smith
kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social
KC Current preseason roster updates:
-Alana Cook remains on SEI
-Clare Gagne remains on SEI
-Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper have been placed on SEI after sustaining respective lower body and foot injuries at the end of 2025 NWSL regular season
January 14, 2026 at 10:13 PM