Sporting Kansas City has announced the appointment of Mike Burns as their new Sporting Director. Burns, who previously held the position of General Manager at the New England Revolution, is set to take charge of overseeing Sporting's player recruitment and roster building strategy, as well as developing the pathways for professional players within the club, including the MLS NEXT Pro team Sporting Kansas City II and the Sporting Kansas City Academy.

With a wealth of experience, Burns spent 15 seasons with the New England Revolution technical staff from 2005 to 2019, during which the club achieved significant success, winning four Eastern Conference championships and one Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The former MLS player and U.S. Men's National Team veteran, who notably played for the Kansas City Wizards from 2001 to 2002, transitioned to the Revolution front office as Director of Soccer before ascending to the role of Vice President of Player Personnel in 2008 and eventually to General Manager in 2011.

During his time at New England, Burns played a key role in assembling competitive teams that made multiple MLS Cup appearances and garnered domestic success, including winning the North American SuperLiga title in 2008 and reaching the U.S. Open Cup Final in 2016.

In addition, Burns served as a consultant for Major League Soccer from 2022 to 2023, supporting the league office in its development efforts.

Social media reactions to Burns' appointment as Sporting Kansas City's new Sporting Director have been mixed, with fans sharing a range of opinions. Some expressed skepticism based on Burns' track record, while others highlighted his experience and accomplishments in the league. The announcement has sparked discussions among supporters about the implications of the new appointment for the club's future direction.

The decision to bring Burns on board signals Sporting Kansas City's commitment to bolstering their technical staff with seasoned leadership to guide the club in its pursuit of success in Major League Soccer. Burns' tenure with the New England Revolution and his extensive background in soccer management positions him well to take on this new challenge at Sporting Kansas City.

Sporting Kansas City's next home match against Austin FC will provide fans with the opportunity to welcome Burns as he officially steps into his role as Sporting Director, with a formal introduction scheduled to take place at a press conference on Tuesday.