A few days after it ended, Johnny Russell packed his belongings from a year most unique, and he flew home to Scotland with his wife and 1-year-old daughter. Before he left, he received some particular instructions from Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes.
“No soccer,” Vermes insisted.
“No problem,” Russell replied.
His body had little left to give. Mentally, he was exhausted.
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Russell played 17 months of professional soccer without a break.