Khiry Shelton excelling in winger role as Sporting finds early success

Count Sporting Kansas City forward Khiry Shelton among the several players who have enjoyed a terrific start to the 2020 MLS campaign.

The 6-foot-3 attacker was particularly devastating on Saturday, tallying a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 4-0 hammering of the Houston Dynamo at raucous Children’s Mercy Park. His return to the stadium was long-awaited, as he had spent all of 2019 with Germany side SC Paderborn 07 after playing a key role for Sporting in 2018.

The biggest difference between the Shelton of 2018 and now? His playing position in Manager Peter Vermes’ 4-3-3 setup.

Shelton has started on the wing in Sporting’s first two matches—a pair of multigoal wins that have his team sitting atop the early Western Conference standings.

“I really enjoy it,” Shelton said of playing as a winger. “I am able to help the team defensively and offensively. It’s a different type of playing style that you get to see from me being on the wing rather than up top.”

The 26-year-old Shelton sealed his return to Sporting on Dec. 9, just one day before Mexican striker Alan Pulido was acquired on a club-record transfer fee. Although he had no knowledge of Pulido’s pending arrival when he signed for Sporting, a quick and easy discussion with Vermes allayed any concerns Shelton might have had.

In short, Vermes told Shelton he had plans to potentially play him as a winger. It was a position Shelton had played for three seasons at New York City FC from 2015-2017.

“As a No. 9, you’re doing a lot more laying off with your back to goal,” Shelton said. “As a winger, you’re pretty much facing the goal. You have different angles to go to goal. A lot of the attributes I have work well on the wing.”

Shelton seems to have adjusted swimmingly well. He is tied for fourth in MLS with seven chances created—an indication of his offensive contribution—while also ranking seventh in the league in duels won, which points to his work rate and willingness to defend.

“With his size and the qualities that he has, a lot of times Khiry can be a mismatch out on those channels,” Vermes said. “That’s one of the things that I really like about him playing out there. When you look at the work ethic that he has and his ability to take information and implement that stuff on the field almost immediately, it’s a great quality—and it has a lot to do with his mentality and his attitude.”

Shelton and Sporting will now prepare for a mouthwatering showdown Saturday against Eastern Conference powerhouse and fellow unbeaten Atlanta United FC. The cross-conference clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is slated for 6 p.m. CT with live coverage on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, ESPN 94.5 FM and La Grande 1340 AM.

“It’s been really fun so far,” Shelton said. “We’re only two games in, but it’s good to be back with the guys. If you look at the last game against Houston, we were solid defensively and offensively and everyone played a role.”