Sporting Kansas City announced today the extension of Peter Vermes’ contract as manager and technical director of the club through the 2017 MLS season.

“What's been important for us is continuity on and off the field and this decision allows us to keep that continuity in place for the foreseeable future,” Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman said. “We love that Peter has always been a long-term thinker and I believe the building blocks around turning this into a great organization long-term are in place. Having another four years to advance this cause is going to be very valuable to the team. We love that Peter has the commitment that he has to this city, this organization and to the development of the players.”

“We have an incredible ownership group. Their vision and follow-thru on all the initiatives they bring to this organization is incredible,” Vermes said. “Their passion for what this club is and for making it happen is the reason we sit here today as one of the best organizations in Major League Soccer. I'm excited to be a part of it and to continue helping to grow this organization. It's a proud moment for me.”

Vermes has overseen all soccer operations for the club since being named technical director in November 2006 and is the longest tenured technical director in MLS. In 2009, Vermes became the team’s manager and his .557 winning percentage over five seasons is the best in team history and sixth best all-time among MLS coaches with a minimum of one full season on the sidelines.

He has led Sporting Kansas City to first place finishes in the Eastern Conference each of the past two years and currently has the club in contention for the Supporters’ Shield with a four-point lead atop the East in 2013. Under Vermes direction, Sporting Kansas City claimed the team’s first trophy in eight years with the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship and qualified to represent Major League Soccer in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League.

An MLS Coach of the Year finalist in 2011 and 2012, Vermes was selected to lead the MLS Generation adidas tour in 2011 to the Netherlands and will serve as the head coach for the MLS All-Stars against Italy’s AS Roma during the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Sporting Park on July 31.

Vermes’ distinguished playing career included 67 appearances for the U.S. Men’s

National Team as he represented the United States at the 1988 Olympics and 1990 FIFA World Cup. He became the first American to play in the first divisions of Hungary and Holland, while also spending four seasons in the Spanish second division before returning for Major League Soccer’s inaugural season in 1996. In seven MLS seasons, he started 208 of his 209 appearances in MLS competition (including playoffs) with 11 goals and 19 assists, and reached the postseason in all seven campaigns.

Vermes arrived in Kansas City ahead of the historic 2000 season, helping lead the club to the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup double and earning MLS All-Star, Best XI and Defender of the Year honors. He retired following the 2002 season, his third in Kansas City, and was elected into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on the Veteran ballot earlier