Does Messi’s arrival in MLS put pressure on Sporting Kansas City to enhance roster?

The arrival of Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer has delivered a significant number of eyeballs.

Since Messi joined Inter Miami last month, the team’s owner, Jorge Mas, claims the number of subscribers to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV has doubled.

The Messi effect has been undeniable during the Leagues Cup: Inter Miami, MLS’ worst team through more than half the season, has reached the semifinals. It helps that stars Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets have joined their former Barcelona teammate in South Beach.

Messi could write another thank-you note to the host of players who have missed their mark in defending him.

But none of that affects Sporting Kansas City directly ... at the moment. In the longer run, you’ll likely see some sort of change in the league’s roster rules, perhaps as soon as next year. It’s rumored to have been a major topic of discussion at the MLS owners’ meetings during the All-Star break.

Changes in the rules governing roster construction would seem to be the most likely way the Messi effect could touch Sporting KC. Ownership would likely have to spend even more on the roster to keep up. Before Messi’s debut, Sporting’s Peter Vermes predicted the Argentine soccer star’s arrival would force other clubs to “up the ante.”

“Everybody loves saying, ‘Let’s spend money,’ and I’m sure that’s not what the owners want to hear all the time,” Vermes said. “But I just think that’s the cost of doing business as the league continues to evolve.”

So in short, yes. Messi’s arrival will undoubtedly pressure mid-market teams to find new ways to be competitive with those who can, and will, spend big. Whether this means increasing spending and/or finding more efficiencies in their approach to roster-building, Sporting KC and other teams face a new challenge.

Now on to some of your questions about both Sporting KC and the KC Current, as fielded via social media:

The Current have certainly investigated a few names for the full-time role. But they’re in their stretch run and are the healthiest they’ve been in months.

They’ll likely continue to let Caroline Sjöblom handle the reins through the rest of the season and into the playoffs, if they can make that push.

The Current have lost just three matches across all competitions since June. Defensively, they’ve become sound, conceding just four goals in their last six matches. And they are putting the ball into the back of the net.

As for what happens after the season? It depends on how this team performs down the stretch. If they make the postseason or narrowly miss out, Sjöblom will get some consideration for the role.

Don’t be surprised if Vlatko Andonovski is also in the mix. The World Cup cycle is complete, the USWNT coach is a proud Kansas City resident and Current owners Chris and Angie Long like to swing for the fences.

In response to the first question, here’s what I would like see changed: the rule requiring a team that wants to use three U-22 initiative slots to have one of their three designated player spots filled by a player whose salary is under the max budget charge.

It hampers what a team can pay one of its DPs. And if that team chooses to pay the full DP slot, it’s unable to capitalize on a young player signing that, hypothetically, could turn into financial profit down the road.

Regarding the second question, Sporting certainly is not out of contention. Sure, the teams ahead have games in hand, but they will face some heavier fixture congestion ahead that Sporting won’t. And Sporting is just three points off the playoff line.

Having dropped the most points in the league from a winning position, they’re arguably farther down the table than their quality has shown to be at times. Then again, at some point we may have to agree that this is who they are: a team that can’t close out victories.

If Sporting doesn’t come out of the Leagues Cup break strong, it won’t be long before they’re out of contention.

Interim Current head coach Caroline Sjöblom told reporters on Monday that next week is the soonest Lauren and Stine Ballisager could get their visas. It will probably be two to three match-weeks before they get integrated into a match-day squad.

A lot of players’ contract situations will be in limbo next season. Thirteen players are either out of contract or have an option for next year. Alan Pulido’s contract expiration has gotten the most attention, but Gadi Kinda is also out of contract at the end of this season.

Johnny Russell is no longer a DP but has been for a while, and his contract has an option for 2024. Among other regulars whose continued presence would require picking up an option: Jake Davis, Remi Walter and Willy Agada.

In short, barring a total collapse down the stretch, a massive roster overhaul would be surprising. But Sporting has ways out if club leadership elects to hit the reset button.

The Current certainly have the ability to make a run. But they can ill afford another slip-up.

The good news is that they’re just six points out of a playoff spot. The bad: they’re in last place in the regular-season standings. That means there are six teams between them and a postseason spot. The other difficulty is the road ahead: Of their seven remaining regular-season games, just three are at home.

They will have road trips to San Diego, Houston, Washington and Gotham. All of those teams currently occupy playoff spots. The Current gained momentum in the Challenge Cup, but now they must go on a scorched-earth tear through their final seven games in order to make the playoffs.

Vermes has said the club and Pulido are still in negotiations. At the moment, despite reports from various outlets in Mexico that Pulido and Sporting have reached agreement on an extension, that is still Sporting’s answer about the situation.

Many of those reporting an agreement between the two also floated narratives that Chivas and Cruz Azul had made offers to Sporting to acquire Pulido during the summer window. Vermes has repeatedly refuted those reports, saying no club had contacted Sporting about Pulido.

There’s undoubtedly some optimism around the club that Pulido will suit up in a Sporting kit again next season. But until Pulido signs on the dotted line, that is a hope — not a reality.