KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Barcelona academy product, signed from the Catalan giant's B side. Defensive midfielder. Wrecker of opposing possessions, heady distributor when his own side are on the ball. Wears his first name on the back of his jersey.
Sound like anyone you know?
It's hard not to compare Ilie Sanchez, Sporting Kansas City's new defensive midfielder, to Uri Rosell, who became a star at Children's Mercy Park before his midseason transfer to Portugal's Sporting CP in mid-2014.
Just don't ask manager Peter Vermes to do it.
“It's not fair to them,” Vermes told reporters on Tuesday, during the club's annual media day.