Sporting KC welcomes back Roger Espinoza in assistant coaching role

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Less than a year after retiring from playing soccer professionally, former Sporting KC star Roger Espinoza is back with the club in an assistant coaching role.

Sporting KC announced Wednesday that Espinosa has joined the club’s staff as professional development coach and first team assistant coach for the 2025 season. Espinoza retired from playing soccer professionally last summer and now will work with all three levels of Sporting KC’s professional player pathway.

Espinoza was a professional for 16 seasons, playing 14 of them in Kansas City from 2008-2012 and 2015-2023. He was part of three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title teams and appeared in the MLS Cup Playoffs 10 times with Sporting KC.

READ MORE: Despite postponement, Sporting KC ready to take on Inter Miami on Wednesday

As a midfielder, Espinoza ranks second in club history with 399 appearances and 330 starts, which ranks third-most in club history.

Sporting KC said Wednesday it is still searching for another first team assistant coach to join Espinoza, manager Peter Vermes, assistants Kerry Zavagnin and Ash Wallace, and goalkeeper coach Alec Dufty.

Sporting KC’s season begins Wednesday night with a Concacaf Champions Cup match against Inter Miami CF and star Lionel Messi.

Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.