Sporting KC Adds Two New Defenders, But More Signings Needed

The MLS team has a small roster with less than three weeks until the season opener.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Sporting Kansas City announced the signings of two free-agent defenders, Wyatt Meyer and Jayden Reid, bringing their roster up to 20 players. However, the team still needs to sign several more players, including at least five outfield players, to reach the roster size they had at the end of the 2025 season. With the season opener less than three weeks away, there are concerns about whether Sporting KC will be able to field a full match-day roster.

Why it matters

Sporting KC had one of the smallest rosters in the league at the end of the 2025 season, and the slow pace of offseason signings has raised alarm bells about the team's preparedness for the upcoming season. The team's defense was a major weakness last year, conceding 70 goals, so the new defensive signings are a step in the right direction, but more work is needed to build a competitive roster.

The details

Sporting KC announced the signings of Wyatt Meyer and Jayden Reid, both free-agent defenders who were part of the team's preseason training camp as trialists. Both players signed one-year deals with options for the 2027 shortened season and the 2027-2028 season. Meyer, 25, spent 2025 with Nashville SC, while Reid's most recent club was Sporting's rival, St. Louis City, where he made 24 appearances over the past two seasons.

  • Sporting KC president of soccer operations and general manager David Lee said the team would need to sign 'a double-digit number of players' less than a month ago.
  • Sporting KC will play its first official match on Feb. 21 in San Jose, less than three weeks from Tuesday.

The players

Wyatt Meyer

A 25-year-old defender who can play as a center back or defensive midfielder. He spent the 2025 season with Nashville SC, making eight appearances.

Jayden Reid

A defender who most recently played for Sporting KC's rival, St. Louis City, where he made 24 appearances over the past two seasons.

David Lee

The president of soccer operations and general manager for Sporting Kansas City.

Raphael Wicky

The new head coach of Sporting Kansas City.

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What’s next

Sporting KC will play its first preseason match in the Coachella Valley Invitational on Saturday against Minnesota United.

The takeaway

Sporting KC is facing a roster crunch with less than three weeks until the season opener, needing to sign several more players to field a competitive team. The slow pace of offseason signings has raised concerns about the team's preparedness, especially on the defensive end where they struggled mightily last season.