From NJ, former stalwart on the USMNT, Peter Vermes is now tied to the club for another 5 years. stating, "I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to continue to lead this club. Our ownership group has shown trememdous ambition over the last decade, and I am proud to be involved in a first-class organization that continues to grow and evolve at Sporting KC." Sporting Club Co-0wner, Mike Illig added, "This is a great day for Sporting Kansas CIty. Peter has become one of the most successful managers in the history of Major League Soccer and we are delighted to extend his contract at the club. He has guided the team to four major championships and seven straight playoff appearances. His passion, energy and attention to detail make him one of a kind." These four titles are the 2013 MLS and US Open Cup in 2012, '15 & '17, the second highest total in MLS behind only Sigi Schmid out of active coaches. He is he club's top with wins having 150 while being the sixth most winning one in MLS at 121-93-76 for the regular season. In being the longest serving coach at KC, the only American club in MLS to claim 4 major trophies since 2012. Peter is one of only 2 coaches to have a decade at one team, Steve Nicol of the 'Revs is the other in all KC sports he is also #2 behind the Chiefs Hank Stram 1963-1974.
He is the 6th coach at KC, taking the helm Aug. 4, 2009, come 2011 & '12 they were #1 in the Eastern Conference, with a club record 63 points in '12 as they claimed their first piece of hardware, beating the Sounders for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. 2013 was to see them at a higher level yet, with their 2nd MLS Cup over RSL making Vermes the first to earn the Cup as player and coach as KC took it in 2000 with him as the captain . 2014 had them in the playoffs again and another Open Cup in 2015 as he surpassed Bob Gansler to move into #2 in wins at the club. 2016 & 2017 again had KC a playoff team with 2017 being another US Open Cup winning year. Being the TD since 2006 Vermes has overseen all soccer operations from scouting, roster management and Swope Park Rangers and their Academy.
As a player, Vermes, was the first American to get time in the top levels of both Hungary and Holland, then 4yrs in the 2nd division in Spain to return to MLS for its first year of 1996. Over 7 years he started 208 of the 209 games played, with 11 goals and 19 assists and getting into the playoffs every year. 2000, his inital year with KC they took the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup as he was an All-Star, Best XI & Defender of the Year. 2002 was his last season as a player and was elected to the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 2013.
By the #'s as SKC HC:
2013: MLS Cup WInner
3X: Lamar Hunt US Open Cup winner 2012, '15 & '17
7: MLS playoffs in a row: 2011-2017 (and counting)
2009-present: longest tenured MLS coach
150: Wins, tops in KC history
344: games coached first in club history
121: regular season wins, 6th in MLS history
290: regular season games coached 7th in league history
Please see our Facebook Page, Soccer Long Island Magazine for the video of the press conference on this extension.