Fewer than 24 hours after Sporting Kansas City arrived home for the first time in 12 days, the ensuing practice absorbed something of a jovial tone. Smiles, laughs, evident signs that players were simply happy to be home, sleeping in their own beds for just the fifth night in 2019.
But one of the more upbeat, optimistic personalities in the locker room wasn’t following suit.
“I’m (ticked),” midfielder Ilie Sanchez said as he laced up his cleats, “because of my performance in the last game.”
Two days earlier, Sporting KC had dropped the opening leg of its CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series with Independiente.