Sporting Kansas City Appoints Three New Vice Presidents
Sporting Kansas City has expanded its technical staff with the appointments of Sebastian Stein as Vice President of Scouting and Recruitment, Kevin Geary as Vice President of Human Performance, and Francisco Belo as Vice President of Data and Analytics, the club announced. The additions mark a significant restructuring of the club’s soccer operations under President of Soccer Operations and General Manager David Lee.
The leadership changes arrive as Major League Soccer continues to expand, prompting club leadership to modernize operations across the first team, Sporting KC II, and the SKC Academy. Lee stated that the club conducted a worldwide search to identify leaders who will establish collaborative structures and strengthen the organization at every level.
Global Scouting and Recruitment Leadership Under Stein
Sebastian Stein takes over the scouting and recruitment department, overseeing talent identification from the senior squad down to the Academy. Stein brings 13 years of experience in the German Bundesliga, most recently serving as Head of Scouting for Eintracht Frankfurt since 2021.
Before his tenure at Frankfurt, Stein spent eight years with Borussia Dortmund beginning in 2013. He initially worked as a match analyst before joining the scouting department to coordinate talent identification and recruitment across senior and youth levels. Lee noted that Stein will build out a global scouting network to increase the club’s presence in Europe, South America, and domestically.
Human Performance Integration Led by Geary
Kevin Geary assumes responsibility for the club’s Human Performance department, uniting medical, sports science, strength and conditioning, and psychology staff. Geary arrives in Kansas City following a 20-year career in professional sports performance, primarily within rugby organizations.
Geary spent the last seven years as Head of Athletic Performance at the Bristol Bears while simultaneously serving as Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach with England Rugby. His earlier career includes coaching roles with Irish Rugby, Ulster Rugby, and Munster Rugby. Lee stated that Geary will work closely with the coaching staff to implement optimal performance plans and physical development tracks for players transitioning through the Pro Player Pathway.
Data and Analytics Restructuring Directed by Belo
Francisco Belo joins the club as Vice President of Data and Analytics, tasked with building a department spanning engineering, analysis, and data science. Belo brings 12 years of experience in English football, most recently working as Head of Football Intelligence at Nottingham Forest for three years.
Belo previously served as a First Team Football Research and Methodology Analyst at Wolverhampton Wanderers from 2021 to 2024 and as a Technical Coaching Analyst at Everton from 2015 to 2021. Lee noted that Belo’s appointment will embed a data-driven approach to support coaching, recruitment, and sports science staff.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sporting KC Staff Additions
What specific teams will the new vice presidents support?
The newly appointed vice presidents will establish departmental structures that support the Sporting KC first team, Sporting KC II, and the SKC Academy.
What is Sebastian Stein’s background in European football?
Stein spent 13 years in the German Bundesliga, working for Borussia Dortmund from 2013 to 2021 as a match analyst and scout, and serving as Head of Scouting for Eintracht Frankfurt starting in 2021.
What organizations did Kevin Geary work with prior to joining Sporting Kansas City?
Geary spent seven years as Head of Athletic Performance at the Bristol Bears and served as Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach with England Rugby, alongside previous roles with Irish Rugby, Ulster Rugby, and Munster Rugby.