As Sporting Kansas City prepares for its 26th season as a charter member of Major League Soccer, SportingKC.com is rolling out a 26-day countdown to the start of the 2021 campaign. A mouthwatering opening weekend of MLS action will see Sporting Kansas City visit the New York Red Bulls at 7 p.m. CT on April 17, giving supporters their first look at Manager Peter Vermes’ side since last December.
The 2021 Preseason Countdown, presented by Children’s Mercy, will serve as the comprehensive, go-to preview of everything that awaits Sporting Kansas City in the weeks and months to come. From key storylines and bold predictions to statistical breakdowns and players to watch, the 2021 Preseason Countdown will highlight the many reasons to be excited for what’s ahead. To visit the series homepage as it expands, visit SportingKC.com/2021countdown.
The long-awaited release of the 2021 MLS regular season schedule earlier this week allowed players and supporters alike to mark their calendars for a busy and exciting spring, summer and fall.
For Sporting Kansas City, the 34-game slate represents an opportunity to keep hold of first place in the ultra-competitive Western Conference and ultimately contend for a pair of trophies—the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup.
There will be plenty of intriguing challenges along the way. Although compelling storylines emerge from all 34 matchups, as detailed in our rapid-fire rundown of the schedule, some games stick out more prominently than others. In the space below, we examine seven scintillating fixtures—in chronological order—that have us particularly pumped up.
But before we dive into details, take note that Sporting Kansas City Season Ticket Members will have access to an exclusive pre-sale from March 26-30 for tickets to the club’s first four regular season home matches. Tickets to Sporting’s first four home matches will then go on sale to the general public via SeatGeek.com on Wednesday, March 31.
Friday, April 23 vs. Orlando City SC (6:30 p.m. CT)
A festive Friday night home opener at Children's Mercy Park will see Sporting roll out in their new primary jerseys against a formidable Orlando side that features Portuguese World Cup veteran Nani and newly acquired Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato, who has played for the likes of AC Milan, Chelsea and Villarreal in the past. Nationally televised on FS1, this game will be an early tone-setter for Sporting.
Sunday, May 9 vs. Austin FC (6:30 p.m. CT)
Another marquee showdown on FS1 will serve as a reunion of sorts for Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff, assistant Davy Arnaud and defender Matt Besler. All three are revered as Sporting Kansas City legends but will visit Children's Mercy Park on the opposite bench as Manager Peter Vermes and Co. Anytime Sporting faces an expansion side for the first time, it's a notable occasion. This one will feel even more special.
Saturday, June 26 vs. LAFC (4 p.m. CT)
Since joining MLS in 2018, LAFC have simply been one of the most entertaining and dominant sides in the league. Head coach Bob Bradley has no shortage of weapons at his disposal—Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi and Eduard Atuesta, to name a few—and LAFC went agonizingly close to winning the Concacaf Champions League last December. But Sporting has a habit of rising to the occasion against the biggest opponents, especially at Children's Mercy Park. An ESPN audience will be treated to an absolute barnburner in this one.
Sunday, July 4 at LA Galaxy (9:30 p.m. CT)
Fourth of July fireworks are in store when Sporting travels to face the LA Galaxy, who are under the direction of new manager Greg Vanney. The former Toronto FC head coach had loads of success north of the border and will be looking to revitalize a talented Galaxy squad that boasts Mexican stars Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and Jonathan dos Santos. With fellow Mexican international Alan Pulido on the Sporting sideline, this matchup is sure to generate buzz.
Saturday, Aug. 21 at Minnesota United FC (2:30 p.m. CT)
Heineken Rivalry Week will treat fans to a slew of excellent rivalry matches in late August, including the regional bout between Sporting and Minnesota on ESPN. These teams will meet three times in the final dozen fixtures of the season, and the winner of game one will have the momentum moving forward.
Sunday, Sept. 26 vs. Seattle Sounders FC (5 p.m. CT)
Sporting's annual Kick Childhood Cancer match will not only drum up support for The Victory Project and kids fighting cancer but also welcome a perennial power to Children's Mercy Park. Seattle Sounders FC have won four of the last five Western Conference titles and are slated to make a league-high 14 appearances on national TV, including their FS1 game in Kansas City. A win over the Sounders could go a long way in boosting Sporting's autumn playoff push.
Sunday, Nov. 7 vs. Real Salt Lake (5 p.m. CT)
For the first time since 2018, Sporting will spend Decision Day in the friendly confines of Children's Mercy Park when rivals Real Salt Lake pay a visit on the final day of the regular season. The stakes on Decision Day are always high as clubs jockey for playoff positioning, and this figures to be no exception. Keep in mind: the top seven teams in each conference will advance to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, meaning six teams in the West will see their seasons end on Nov. 7.
