Peter Vermes didn’t pull any punches after Sporting Kansas City’s exit from the MLS is Back Tournament, a 3-1 loss Thursday evening against the Philadelphia Union.
He took the blame for Sporting's lacking fight, especially in the first half, when a Sergio Santos brace and Jamiro Monteiro opener provided three blows in a 15-minute span. Two of the goals followed Sporting’s own attacking set-pieces as counter-attacks went the other way.
“The team wasn't ready and it is my fault,” Vermes said. “What I will say, and I will say it this way, is that very seldom as I've been coach at this club have I gone into a game with our team where they came out and they just weren't into the game, they didn't want to win, especially a Knockout Round when we've won plenty of Open Cups, we've been in playoff games, whatever.