Sporting Kansas City Has Its Eyes on Barcelona's Big Prospect | OneFootball

Little by little, Major League Soccer (MLS) is showing it’s more than just a place for veterans looking for an easy retirement. Sure, there's still plenty of room for that, but U.S. teams are shifting focus toward smarter signings, targeting young, promising players who could add some serious flair to the league while opening doors to new markets. And that’s where Sporting Kansas City comes in. They’ve got their eyes set on Unai Hernández, the 20-year-old defensive midfielder from Barcelona.

Unai’s got talent. He’s not a prodigy, but he’s got solid vision and a knack for making those runs that get scouts buzzing. At Barça B, he’s the type of player who dictates the tempo, who knows when to pass and when to take a risk. At 20, he's got a lot to learn, but the potential is clear. So, is it really worth investing between $2 and $4 million on a guy who plays in Spain’s third division, a league that’s not exactly on par with the big European competitions?

What Sporting Kansas City sees in him is the same kind of potential they saw in Riqui Puig, another young talent who rose through the ranks at Barcelona. Puig was highly regarded by the Catalans but never quite clicked. Now, Sporting Kansas City is hoping for a repeat, though with a twist. The club believes they can make a bigger impact with Unai than Puig ever managed, despite the hype.

The American game, despite its growth, is still far from rivaling the top European leagues in terms of technical quality. Sure, the MLS has come a long way, but let’s face it: real stars, aside from the retirees, usually have their eyes on other places. Signing a player from Barça B doesn’t exactly scream "game-changer." After all, while Barça B is a great breeding ground, it’s still a far cry from the first team. So what’s behind Sporting Kansas City’s interest?

Well, it's a bit of a gamble, but it could pay off big. Unai’s style actually fits the MLS quite well. He’s not the kind of midfielder who just breaks up play, but he’s got the kind of skills to control the ball and make smart decisions with it. Think of him as the guy pulling the strings in the middle, making quick, intelligent passes. This might be exactly what Sporting Kansas City needs. The team’s been playing some solid soccer, but they’re hungry for more—someone who can spice up the midfield and give that extra flair in transitions. Unai could be just the player to fill that gap.

That said, the asking price, between $2 and $4 million, might feel a little steep, especially when you consider the track record of players from Spain’s third division. In terms of return, this could be a real risk. He’s no established star yet; he’s still finding his feet, and let’s not forget, adapting to MLS is no walk in the park. Players making the jump from big clubs like Barça B to MLS often struggle with the difference in pace, physical demands, and the fact that the American game still lacks some of the technical and tactical elements you find in European leagues like Spain or England.

It’s a high-risk bet. If it works out, Sporting Kansas City could have a gem on their hands, a player with the potential to rise and become a league standout. If it doesn’t, well, it’ll just be another signing that doesn’t quite pan out. The MLS, with its unique challenges, doesn’t forgive players who can’t adjust quickly. The leap from Barça B to a league like MLS is anything but simple, and the pressure to perform can be intense. Plus, there’s the whole comparison to Riqui Puig, which could weigh heavy. The last thing they want is to make the same mistake again. Sure, it’s early to say whether Unai will be another case of a missed opportunity, but for a team still looking to claim more titles and solidify its legacy, the pressure might just be too much.