6 DAYS AGO • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
JOHNNY RUSSELL #7 - FORWARD - SPORTING KANSAS CITY
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Sporting KC part ways with club legends Johnny Russell, Tim Melia Sporting Kansas City are moving on without captain Johnny Russell and goalkeeper Tim Melia in 2025.The team announced the departures of the...
Sporting KC parts with captain Johnny Russell amid roster overhaul following its losing season
Sporting Kansas City will not bring back captain Johnny Russell, goalkeeper Tim Melia or defender Andreu Fontas as part of a major roster overhaul that followed the second-worst se...6 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Missing decision day Russell (groin) is out for Saturday's trip to Dallas.
Impact Russell is set to miss the season finale due to a groin issue. The forward had a disappointing year by his own standards. Finishing with just four goals and three assists, his worst return. Russell will hope to bounce back next year after an all-around poor showing.
OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE
Leads team in crosses Russell recorded six crosses (zero accurate) and four corners in Sunday's 2-0 defeat versus Seattle Sounders FC.
Impact Russell wasn't amazing Sunday but still managed to lead his team in crosses, whipping in six in the loss. This comes in as his second-highest amount in a match this season, having notched nine twice. However, he has now gone six appearances since his last goal contribution, with only seven in 25 appearances.
SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE
Late call for Wednesday Russell (groin) has been given a questionable tag for Wednesday's trip to Vancouver.
Impact Russell has come off the bench the last two matches, starting five of the last eight games. In that span, the winger scored two goals and assists, generating 29 crosses (eight accurate) and 12 chances created. Alenis Vargas could get the late call to start if he cannot play Wednesday.
JULY 16 • ROTOWIRE
Scores in loss Russell scored a goal off two shots (one on target) and made five tackles (two won) during Wednesday's 2-1 loss against Colorado.
Impact Russell had another appearance on the scoresheet, this time using a one-timed finish to open the scoring with just three minutes into the second frame. With four goals, three assists and his usual statistical input across the board, the winger is enjoying another productive campaign with SKC.
JULY 7 • ROTOWIRE
Provides assist in win Russell assisted once to go with four shots (zero on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 2-0 win against Austin FC. In addition, he was given a yellow c...
Impact Russell notched his third assist of the season in the 69th minute as he helped extend the lead. The forward has now matched last season's assist total despite having played 10 less games.
JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Provides assist in defeat Russell assisted once to go with two shots (zero on goal), four crosses (three accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 4-2 loss against Los Angeles Galaxy.
Impact Russell notched his second assist of the season as he helped reduce the deficit in the 81st minute of the match. It marked the third consecutive game with a goal contribution for the forward.
JUNE 19 • ROTOWIRE
Scores from distance Russell scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), nine crosses (one accurate) and five corners in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders FC. In addition, he was giv...
Impact Russel scored an equalizing goal Saturday, striking the ball cleanly from just outside of the box, during the first half of Kansas City's 2-1 victory over Seattle. Russel's nine crosses (one accurate) were a team high and a single-match best for Russel in 2024. He also led Kansas City with five corners. The match marked Russel's return to the starting XI after coming on as a substitute in Kansas City's previous two matches. Through 14 appearances (nine starts), Russel has scored three goals and supplied one assist.
JUNE 9 • ROTOWIRE
Strikes from distance Russell scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 3-1 defeat versus Minnesota United.
Impact Russell entered Saturday's match versus Minnesota to begin the second half. He uncorked a long range effort late in the match to score Kansas City's lone goal. Over his last five appearances (three starts), Russell has scored twice, registered three shots on target and created four chances. Russel has also shown his ability to play in the wide areas over the recent five match stretch, attempting 12 crosses (six accurate).
JUNE 3 • ROTOWIRE
Average outing against Portland Russell had two shots (one on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Portland Timbers.
Impact Russell was held off the score sheet this time but led his side with 10 duels won during the defeat. He has only scored once in four games since taking over the right-wing spot. While he could struggle to reach his best form if the team's performance doesn't improve, Russell is somewhat reliable as he gets playing time and set pieces in most contests.
MAY 26 • ROTOWIRE
Scores in loss Russell scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 3-2 loss to Austin FC.
Impact Russell notched his first goal of the season as he opened up the scoring in the 18th minute. The forward has now started the past three games, after previously being a substitute in three fixtures earlier this season.
MAY 20 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to bench Russell (ankle) is on the bench for Saturday's clash with Miami.
Impact Russell is back on the bench for Saturday's clash, after being upgraded to questionable. The winger is normally a key piece of the starting XI, but he wasn't quite deemed fully fit and remains on the bench. William Agada is in the starting XI with Russell on the bench.
APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable Saturday Russell (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's clash with Miami, according to the MLS injury report.
Impact Russell is questionable for the first time after missing three matches. The right winger seems to be nearing a return to action, and if deemed fit he should be straight back into a major role in the starting XI. Russell had one assist before the injury.
APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE
Ruled out to face Toronto Russell (ankle) won't play against Toronto FC on Saturday, manager Peter Vermes told Daniel Sperry of The Kansas City Star.
Impact Russell is set to miss a second consecutive game, and while his status should be analyzed on a week-to-week basis, there's no clear timetable for his potential return. His next chance to feature will come against Portland on April 7.
MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE
Unlikely to face Galaxy Russell (ankle) is unlikely to play against the Galaxy on Saturday, head coach Pete Vermes told Daniel Sperry of the Kansas City Star on Thursday.
Impact Vermes said Russell will be listed as questionable, but that he "needs to think about the long term," so the veteran winger is not expected to even make the bench. If that ends up being the case, then Russell's next chance to play will come against Toronto on March 30 after the international break.
MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE
Leaves with injury Russell was forced off during Saturday's 2-1 win over San Jose with an apparent ankle injury, per Daniel Sperry of the KC Star.
Impact Russell had previously been able to play the entire 90 minutes of the first three matches of the season, totaling 12 crosses (three accurate) and four chances created in that span. He unfortunately picked up an ankle injury in the process, which will require further testing to find out the severity of the injury.
MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE
Great day attacking Russell generated four shots (two on goal), six crosses (three accurate) and four corners in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Philadelphia Union. In addition, he was given a yellow card...
Impact Russel was given the start Saturday after picking up a groin injury ahead of the match. However, he did not miss a beat, notching one of the better performances of the day with his two chances created, four shots and six crosses. He has now started in both matches this season, registering two chances created, four shots, six corners and eight clearances in his 149 minutes of play.
MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE
Starting Saturday Russell (groin) is in the starting XI for Saturday's clash with Philadelphia.
Impact Russell carried a questionable tag into Saturday's clash and is now straight back into the starting XI. The winger is a key piece of the starting XI whenever fit, though he may not go the full 90 if the groin injury is a concern.
MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE
Listed as questionable Russell (groin) is questionable for Saturday's clash with Philadelphia, according to the MLS injury report.
Impact Russell went just 60 minutes during the season opener and it now appears that was due to a muscular issue. The right winger is still listed as questionable so there's a chance he gets on the pitch for Saturday's match. Stephen Afrifa came off the bench to replace Russell during the opener.
MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE
Four shots in elimination match Russell recorded one shot (one on goal), four crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 1-0 defeat versus Houston Dynamo.
Impact Russell wasn't all too active on Sunday, only notching four crosses, one shot and a chance created. He did register a team-high in crosses this match with his four. The attacker ended his 2023 campaign, scoring eight goals on 46 shots (19 accurate) and three assists on 31 chances created in 28 appearances. He also recorded 99 crosses (24 accurate), 23 interceptions and 17 tackles (nine won).
NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Back in starting XI Russell (groin) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against St. Louis.
Impact Russell returns to the XI after staying on the bench in the opener last weekend. With that addition rest, a full 90 could be in play for him, similar to the playoff opener against San Jose. That said, he's struggled with nagging injuries the second half of the season and if SKC go up a couple goals, he would likely be one of the first substitutions.
NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Doesn't train Wednesday Russell (groin) didn't take part in training Wednesday, Daniel Sperry reports.
Impact Russell actually didn't come off the bench for the opening match of the playoffs, a 4-1 win over St. Louis. The winger is a major loss whenever he is not on the pitch but the hope is he will return before the second leg against St. Louis on Sunday.
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Four shots in PK win Russell registered four shots (zero on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Wednesday's 0-0 (4-2) penalty shootout victory versus San Jose Earthquakes.
Impact Russell, who was questionable heading into the match, led the team in shots in Wednesday's win. He also scored the opening penalty in the shootout, setting the stage for the 4-2 win. Now he faces a best-of-three series versus St. Louis SC, starting on the road Sunday.
OCTOBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Passes fitness Russell (groin) is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's wild card clash with the San Jose Earthquakes.
Impact Russell has scored four goals in the last three matches to end the regular season with eight, doubling his total in just a span of a few games. He also has 40 shots (17 on target) in 26 contests this season.
OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
