It has been a rough first half of the season for Sporting Kansas City, as they currently sit below the red line in the Western Conference. But reinforcements could be on the way.
Reports out of Peru are pegging a return to MLS for former FC Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez, with Sporting Kansas City the team linked to the former Peruvian international.
When contacted by MLSsoccer.com, a Sporting KC spokesman said there is no truth to the report.
Fernandez was a member of FC Dallas for two seasons (2013-14), making 47 appearances for the club and helping them reach the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. Fernandez started the first leg of the Conference Semifinals against the Seattle Sounders but conceded his spot between the pipes for the second leg. The Peruvian had a total of 11 shutouts with Dallas, while saving 56.64 percent of opponent shots from inside the box, placing him 11th among 15 goalkeepers that made at least 40 appearances over 2013 and 2014.
Fernandez has made 28 appearances for Peru, but none since October 2014. He returned to his boyhood club, Universitario de Deportes, after leaving FC Dallas after the 2014 season.
Sporting currently has Tim Melia in net, after the former league pool goalkeeper took over the starting role in the middle of last season. The team has conceded 18 goals in 15 games, which is the seventh-best goals against average among any team this season.
Melia has missed one game this season, due to suspension, and has a save percentage of 61.76 percent from shots inside the box, fifth worst among goalkeepers who have made 10 starts.Jon Kempin and Alec Kann also sit on Sporting's goalkeeper depth chart.
